Auto-locking/un-locking coming to Ford Connected Charge Station

[TheVirtualTim]

I'm in the Early Access Program and was invited to use a new feature coming to the Ford Connection Charge Station (FCCS). This will mostly be of interest to those who have their charge station located outside -- especially if it in an area where it might be accessible to others.

The FCCS has always had an "Access Control" feature that lets you use the FordPass app to lock or unlock the station. The station can't be used when it is locked. You can enable access control, and you can also invite others to have access control (so they can use their FordPass app to unlock your station ... e.g. spouse, family members, etc.) But you had to go into FordPass to unlock it, charge the car, and then go back into FordPass to re-lock it.

The new feature automates this.

When you unplug and leave, the station automatically locks. When you return home and connect, the station determines if the car that was plugged in matches the car in your FordPass profile. If so, it automatically unlocks (and either begins charging ... or waits until your scheduled charging time to begin charging.)

If another car tries to connect to your station while it is locked, you will be notified via FordPass.

I'm not sure when this will be out of Early Access and available to other FCCS owners. I've had it for a couple of weeks and was surprised I hadn't seen anyone else post about it.

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[Supertayt]

I saw this on a thread and to be honest, that’s why I bought the Ford home charger. Ends up, I was looking at a Canadian tread. They’ve had It for a while. The US, no joy. I even called ford to inquire and they confirmed it wasn’t available here. I’m glad it may make it here one day. Maybe, when I get my frunk….

 

[Mopey]

I just wish they would fix or replace my Ford Connected Wall Station. The connectivity part only worked for 2 months. Despite calling and receiving 3 case numbers there has been absolutely no response in 9 months. Extremely disappointing support.

 

[hawkeye3point1]

Nice feature, any idea what s/w build will add this @TheVirtualTim

 

[Jimrpa]

I’ve been testing this feature for a while. It’s the only EA feature I’ve been invited to test (I’m not worthy enough to get the really cool features like BlueCruise or remote frunk release). It’s worked pretty well. I only had it not work once (I.e., not recognize the car when it was plugged in). The workaround was to unlock the charge station in FordPass and all was good. The lesson learned is to stay with the car for a couple of minutes after plugging in to be sure charging starts.
I have a garage and my charge station is inside, but I can see where this will really benefit people who have to mount their charge stations outside, or in places like apartment garages, where they may be accessible by others. It’s a nice little feature.

 

[macchiaz-o]

Nice feature, any idea what s/w build will add this @TheVirtualTim

As best as I can tell, it's a server side change only. No changes to the vehicle or the charge station.

When your account is upgraded on the server, then you will see the Auto Unlock option in FordPass in your charge station settings screen, if access control is enabled.

 

[macchiaz-o]

It’s worked pretty well.

Lucky you! I got a rock.

I received the feature a few weeks back, also, but it didn't work so well for me. The station didn't unlock when I plugged in, but it did lock after I drove away. So it half worked, but only the worse half.

I didn't stand around waiting minutes after parking.... Just not seeing it unlocked when I arrived home and plugged in was enough for me to be anxious that I'd have an un-charged car the next morning.

Also, I identified an issue where Auto Lock still happens even after you've disabled Access Control. That was a bug. They fixed that and asked me a bunch of questions to investigate the failure to auto-unlock that I experienced... I provided all the answers but it's been radio silence since then. ?‍ So I feel like I got two rocks, not just one.

 

[Jimrpa]

Lucky you! I got a rock.

I received the feature a few weeks back, also, but it didn't work so well for me. The station didn't unlock when I plugged in, but it did lock after I drove away. So it half worked, but only the worse half.

I didn't stand around waiting minutes after parking.... Just not seeing it unlocked when I arrived home and plugged in was enough for me to be anxious that I'd have an un-charged car the next morning.

Also, I identified an issue where Auto Lock still happens even after you've disabled Access Control. That was a bug. They fixed that and asked me a bunch of questions to investigate the failure to auto-unlock that I experienced... I provided all the answers but it's been radio silence since then. ?‍ So I feel like I got two rocks, not just one.

It’s still shaky. Last night it told me an unrecognized vehicle was connected, but then it figured everything out and charged my car anyway ?‍

 

[g8mb1t]

I'm in the Early Access Program and was invited to use a new feature coming to the Ford Connection Charge Station (FCCS). This will mostly be of interest to those who have their charge station located outside -- especially if it in an area where it might be accessible to others.

The FCCS has always had an "Access Control" feature that lets you use the FordPass app to lock or unlock the station. The station can't be used when it is locked. You can enable access control, and you can also invite others to have access control (so they can use their FordPass app to unlock your station ... e.g. spouse, family members, etc.) But you had to go into FordPass to unlock it, charge the car, and then go back into FordPass to re-lock it.

The new feature automates this.

When you unplug and leave, the station automatically locks. When you return home and connect, the station determines if the car that was plugged in matches the car in your FordPass profile. If so, it automatically unlocks (and either begins charging ... or waits until your scheduled charging time to begin charging.)

If another car tries to connect to your station while it is locked, you will be notified via FordPass.

I'm not sure when this will be out of Early Access and available to other FCCS owners. I've had it for a couple of weeks and was surprised I hadn't seen anyone else post about it.

Not sure it’s working as it’s not unlocking by default atm

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