Charging at DC Charging Stations in Canada

[kllaw]

Hi everyone.

I wondered if anyone could help me to understand a few terms that Ford uses for fast charging as they are related to the Canadian market.

We've had our vehicle for less than two weeks and I've been having difficulty using the FordPass app and understanding what's supposed to happen.

What *was* Plug and Charge? I know it's no longer available in Canada for some reason, but what *did* it do?

When I search for Charging stations in the app, I see the terms "Ford Network" and I've got a trial for "Blue Oval". What do these two terms mean? Are they the same thing or different?

What is the benefit of going to a Ford Network (or Blue Oval) charging station since so far they are the same price as if I use the charging companies' apps (so far Chargepoint two times and FLO once). When I used the vehicle's navigation system to find fast chargers, it identified a FLO charger in Burlington, ON as "Ford Network" (green check mark) and "Plug and Charge" (red x).

When I was at the charger however, I couldn't figure out how to start it so I called FLO for help, and when I was told to download the FLO app in order to charge - I asked the representative whether FLO is part of the Blue Oval network and he told me that FLO is *not* - so this makes me think that Blue Oval and Ford Network are different things - but I can't get a straight answer (on the phone with Ford US and Ford Canada with 6 people for hours yesterday - and our dealer doesn't seem to understand my issue either).

I downloaded the ChargePoint and FLO apps and set up accounts to charge because I couldn't figure out how to use the FordPass app but I think the point of the app is to make one central place to initiate charging and to pay - I think I've got that part figured out as of today after noticing one extra click in the app on a YouTube video (fingers crossed for attempt #4).

Thanks for any tips!

Keith

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[RickMachE]

Hi everyone.

I wondered if anyone could help me to understand a few terms that Ford uses for fast charging as they are related to the Canadian market.

We've had our vehicle for less than two weeks and I've been having difficulty using the FordPass app and understanding what's supposed to happen.

What *was* Plug and Charge? I know it's no longer available in Canada for some reason, but what *did* it do?

Pull up, plug in, and watch it charge.

When I search for Charging stations in the app, I see the terms "Ford Network" and I've got a trial for "Blue Oval". What do these two terms mean? Are they the same thing or different?

Same thing. BlueOval Charge Network is Ford.

What is the benefit of going to a Ford Network (or Blue Oval) charging station since so far they are the same price as if I use the charging companies' apps (so far Chargepoint two times and FLO once). When I used the vehicle's navigation system to find fast chargers, it identified a FLO charger in Burlington, ON as "Ford Network" (green check mark) and "Plug and Charge" (red x).

When I was at the charger however, I couldn't figure out how to start it so I called FLO for help, and when I was told to download the FLO app in order to charge - I asked the representative whether FLO is part of the Blue Oval network and he told me that FLO is *not* - so this makes me think that Blue Oval and Ford Network are different things - but I can't get a straight answer (on the phone with Ford US and Ford Canada with 6 people for hours yesterday - and our dealer doesn't seem to understand my issue either).

Flo is part of the network in the US (recently added I believe). Benefit is not adding an app, having it be charged at the exact amount (some apps pull say $10, and then refill the account, so you always have a balance).

I downloaded the ChargePoint and FLO apps and set up accounts to charge because I couldn't figure out how to use the FordPass app but I think the point of the app is to make one central place to initiate charging and to pay - I think I've got that part figured out as of today after noticing one extra click in the app on a YouTube video (fingers crossed for attempt #4).

Yes, that's the point.

 

[kllaw]

Hi everyone.

I wondered if anyone could help me to understand a few terms that Ford uses for fast charging as they are related to the Canadian market.

We've had our vehicle for less than two weeks and I've been having difficulty using the FordPass app and understanding what's supposed to happen.

What *was* Plug and Charge? I know it's no longer available in Canada for some reason, but what *did* it do?

Pull up, plug in, and watch it charge.

When I search for Charging stations in the app, I see the terms "Ford Network" and I've got a trial for "Blue Oval". What do these two terms mean? Are they the same thing or different?

Same thing. BlueOval Charge Network is Ford.

What is the benefit of going to a Ford Network (or Blue Oval) charging station since so far they are the same price as if I use the charging companies' apps (so far Chargepoint two times and FLO once). When I used the vehicle's navigation system to find fast chargers, it identified a FLO charger in Burlington, ON as "Ford Network" (green check mark) and "Plug and Charge" (red x).

When I was at the charger however, I couldn't figure out how to start it so I called FLO for help, and when I was told to download the FLO app in order to charge - I asked the representative whether FLO is part of the Blue Oval network and he told me that FLO is *not* - so this makes me think that Blue Oval and Ford Network are different things - but I can't get a straight answer (on the phone with Ford US and Ford Canada with 6 people for hours yesterday - and our dealer doesn't seem to understand my issue either).

Flo is part of the network in the US (recently added I believe). Benefit is not adding an app, having it be charged at the exact amount (some apps pull say $10, and then refill the account, so you always have a balance).

I downloaded the ChargePoint and FLO apps and set up accounts to charge because I couldn't figure out how to use the FordPass app but I think the point of the app is to make one central place to initiate charging and to pay - I think I've got that part figured out as of today after noticing one extra click in the app on a YouTube video (fingers crossed for attempt #4).

Yes, that's the point.

Thanks for your reply. So the benefit of going to a Blue Oval/Ford Network charging station is the convenience of initiating charge and paying the exact amount rather than “top-ups” for Blue Oval/Ford Network affiliated charging companies. For non-Blue Oval/Ford Network charging companies I would necessarily need to download their apps, set up accounts and pay directly to them. That makes it clear now!

In the US, is there any financial benefit to Blue Oval/Ford Network such as free or discounted charging? When speaking with a Ford US rep yesterday - she said that there was but it doesn’t look like there is in Canada.

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks for your reply. So the benefit of going to a Blue Oval/Ford Network charging station is the convenience of initiating charge and paying the exact amount rather than “top-ups” for Blue Oval/Ford Network affiliated charging companies. For non-Blue Oval/Ford Network charging companies I would necessarily need to download their apps, set up accounts and pay directly to them. That makes it clear now!

In the US, is there any financial benefit to Blue Oval/Ford Network such as free or discounted charging? When speaking with a Ford US rep yesterday - she said that there was but it doesn’t look like there is in Canada.

She was wrong.

Ford tested a 25% discount for Electrify America, then pulled it for further testing, and it's been well over 18 months since they did that. No discounts at all. Many use EA for Pass+, $7 a month and 25% discount, pays off on day 1 of a trip. Sign up, then cancel same day and it takes effect in 30 days. EA in US and EA in Canada are totally different programs though.

 

[kllaw]

She was wrong.

Ford tested a 25% discount for Electrify America, then pulled it for further testing, and it's been well over 18 months since they did that. No discounts at all. Many use EA for Pass+, $7 a month and 25% discount, pays off on day 1 of a trip. Sign up, then cancel same day and it takes effect in 30 days. EA in US and EA in Canada are totally different programs though.

Understood now. I spoke with some well-meaning employees, including a HR representative for Ford in Costa Rica who I was accidentally transferred to at one point but nobody seemed to know.
I appreciate the information.

 

[Scbolts]

My brother just bought a EV and I was sharing with him our charging journey so it’s top of mind.

We charge 95% of time at home and this is where we get best value. Of course.

Re apps we have Ivy, and Electrify Canada which have balances and auto reload.
I believe Flo is now payment card on file and payment goes through after use. I also have a PetroCanada app and believe it is the same as Flo.
in our case we seem to have had the best luck with Flo for convenience when needing a fast charge.

ideally one app that rules them all would be great.

 

[kllaw]

My brother just bought a EV and I was sharing with him our charging journey so it’s top of mind.

We charge 95% of time at home and this is where we get best value. Of course.

Re apps we have Ivy, and Electrify Canada which have balances and auto reload.
I believe Flo is now payment card on file and payment goes through after use. I also have a PetroCanada app and believe it is the same as Flo.
in our case we seem to have had the best luck with Flo for convenience when needing a fast charge.

ideally one app that rules them all would be great.

Thanks for sharing your experience. We plan to charge mostly at home also but are waiting for our electrician to install a 240v outlet outside. We share a one-space driveway with our neighbours who have a Tesla (we’re in old housing, downtown Toronto) but fortunately we get along really well with them so co-ordination shouldn’t be a problem.

One of the initial causes of problems I think was that I couldn’t add a credit card to my FordPass wallet and it wasn’t an option when activating the Blue Oval network connected service. I searched and searched and eventually found I could add a card via the ford.ca website but there was no indication that the Ford website and FordPass app were sharing this wallet and credit card information.

 

[Adventureboy]

To my knowledge, "Plug and Charge" does not work in Canada. I haven't been able to get it to work for 1.5 years, and I try once a month or so.

I have signed up for the "Blue Oval Network" but as of yet, it hasn't done anything for me here in the GWN. Selecting Ford Network only brings up stations that are supposed to work with the Blue Oval Network and Plug and Charge but they don't in Canada. Hoping Ford Canada will fix it at some point. I recommend you don't select that option in your search since picking one station over another doesn't help here.

I have collected quite a number of apps for the different charging networks and you'll start to pick your favourites. I get the best charge rates in Ontario from Electrify Canada. Others are less consistent.

 

[kllaw]

To my knowledge, "Plug and Charge" does not work in Canada. I haven't been able to get it to work for 1.5 years, and I try once a month or so.

I have signed up for the "Blue Oval Network" but as of yet, it hasn't done anything for me here in the GWN. Selecting Ford Network only brings up stations that are supposed to work with the Blue Oval Network and Plug and Charge but they don't in Canada. Hoping Ford Canada will fix it at some point. I recommend you don't select that option in your search since picking one station over another doesn't help here.

I have collected quite a number of apps for the different charging networks and you'll start to pick your favourites. I get the best charge rates in Ontario from Electrify Canada. Others are less consistent.

Thanks for your reply. It was on these forums that I initially learned that Plug and Charge had been made unavailable in Canada sometime in 2022. It wasn’t until digging through the language on the Ford website that I saw that it was confirmed there also.

I’ve downloaded a few of the apps now in readiness - thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Ralph Malph]

Hi everyone.

I wondered if anyone could help me to understand a few terms that Ford uses for fast charging as they are related to the Canadian market.

We've had our vehicle for less than two weeks and I've been having difficulty using the FordPass app and understanding what's supposed to happen.

What *was* Plug and Charge? I know it's no longer available in Canada for some reason, but what *did* it do?

When I search for Charging stations in the app, I see the terms "Ford Network" and I've got a trial for "Blue Oval". What do these two terms mean? Are they the same thing or different?

What is the benefit of going to a Ford Network (or Blue Oval) charging station since so far they are the same price as if I use the charging companies' apps (so far Chargepoint two times and FLO once). When I used the vehicle's navigation system to find fast chargers, it identified a FLO charger in Burlington, ON as "Ford Network" (green check mark) and "Plug and Charge" (red x).

When I was at the charger however, I couldn't figure out how to start it so I called FLO for help, and when I was told to download the FLO app in order to charge - I asked the representative whether FLO is part of the Blue Oval network and he told me that FLO is *not* - so this makes me think that Blue Oval and Ford Network are different things - but I can't get a straight answer (on the phone with Ford US and Ford Canada with 6 people for hours yesterday - and our dealer doesn't seem to understand my issue either).

I downloaded the ChargePoint and FLO apps and set up accounts to charge because I couldn't figure out how to use the FordPass app but I think the point of the app is to make one central place to initiate charging and to pay - I think I've got that part figured out as of today after noticing one extra click in the app on a YouTube video (fingers crossed for attempt #4).

Thanks for any tips!

Keith

I picked mine up last Friday, I love it and have absolutely no buyers remorse but was confused as you. I went to a public charger, first one was a Flo and after a few tries it finally came up as needing repair so we left to the next town north of us and parked at the Coop charger (it is in the Ford Network), because I didn't really know what I was doing it took me a couple tries to get it to charge but once I had it all was good, and being beside the grocery store my wife went to get supplies. I was surprised when I got home there was a notification I needed to add payment for the charge or I wouldn't be allowed to use the app to charge again. Added cc and all is set now.

I called Ford the next day as I was under the impression that I was to receive 3 years of free use on the Ford Network. After getting passed to 5 different people I was finally told that this is not an option in Canada, so the only use that I can see using the Ford app is to treat it like google or apple pay, just a one point payment process. I had the electrician here the next day to price out putting in the charger. Getting it connected tomorrow, been on 110v charge and the Ford charger which has kept up for our use but really really slow.

I downloaded the Flo app and put $50 in it for those just in case times. My sister in law has had a Leaf for several years and she has several apps which she uses depending on where she is (she works in US but lives in Quebec). I am planning on a trip to Vancouver this summer so I will either add an extra app or hope that the Tesla adaptor comes before we leave.

Can't wait for winter to be over so the wife can driver her convertable and I can drive the Mach-e

 

[kllaw]

I picked mine up last Friday, I love it and have absolutely no buyers remorse but was confused as you. I went to a public charger, first one was a Flo and after a few tries it finally came up as needing repair so we left to the next town north of us and parked at the Coop charger (it is in the Ford Network), because I didn't really know what I was doing it took me a couple tries to get it to charge but once I had it all was good, and being beside the grocery store my wife went to get supplies. I was surprised when I got home there was a notification I needed to add payment for the charge or I wouldn't be allowed to use the app to charge again. Added cc and all is set now.

I called Ford the next day as I was under the impression that I was to receive 3 years of free use on the Ford Network. After getting passed to 5 different people I was finally told that this is not an option in Canada, so the only use that I can see using the Ford app is to treat it like google or apple pay, just a one point payment process. I had the electrician here the next day to price out putting in the charger. Getting it connected tomorrow, been on 110v charge and the Ford charger which has kept up for our use but really really slow.

I downloaded the Flo app and put $50 in it for those just in case times. My sister in law has had a Leaf for several years and she has several apps which she uses depending on where she is (she works in US but lives in Quebec). I am planning on a trip to Vancouver this summer so I will either add an extra app or hope that the Tesla adaptor comes before we leave.

Can't wait for winter to be over so the wife can driver her convertable and I can drive the Mach-e

We had our home outlet installed last week and the car was in a body shop for repairs for a while anyway (a city sidewalk plow scraped up the passenger door, quarter panel and wheel well trim …on day 5 of owning it!).

I’m still confused about DC fast charging though since I tried for my 4th time last night - just to see if it worked. I went to the same FLO charger I’d used before. This time, I was able to start the charger using the FordPass app (yay!) and I charged for 10 minutes before I disconnected. The confusing part is that I haven’t been billed…neither through the credit card I have in my Ford Wallet, nor the FLO account I had set up previously. I’m happy to get free charging of course, or the charge might be delayed or something but…?.

 

[VirgilBoy21MME]

We had our home outlet installed last week and the car was in a body shop for repairs for a while anyway (a city sidewalk plow scraped up the passenger door, quarter panel and wheel well trim …on day 5 of owning it!).

I’m still confused about DC fast charging though since I tried for my 4th time last night - just to see if it worked. I went to the same FLO charger I’d used before. This time, I was able to start the charger using the FordPass app (yay!) and I charged for 10 minutes before I disconnected. The confusing part is that I haven’t been billed…neither through the credit card I have in my Ford Wallet, nor the FLO account I had set up previously. I’m happy to get free charging of course, or the charge might be delayed or something but…?.

If you pay for Charging Services using your FLO User Account, your FLO User Account will be debited the cost of the Charging Fees plus applicable Taxes after each Charging Session. If for some reason Charging Fees cannot be processed at the time of charging, charging information will be saved and your FLO User Account will be debited those costs at a later time (this may result in charges appearing in your transaction history on a different date than the date on which you used the Charging Services). The balance of your FLO User Account may become negative after a Charging Session, and you will need to replenish your FLO User Account to cover any such negative balance. You will not be able to use the Charging Services while you have a negative balance in your FLO User Account.

 

[Womps]

I picked mine up last Friday, I love it and have absolutely no buyers remorse but was confused as you. I went to a public charger, first one was a Flo and after a few tries it finally came up as needing repair so we left to the next town north of us and parked at the Coop charger (it is in the Ford Network), because I didn't really know what I was doing it took me a couple tries to get it to charge but once I had it all was good, and being beside the grocery store my wife went to get supplies. I was surprised when I got home there was a notification I needed to add payment for the charge or I wouldn't be allowed to use the app to charge again. Added cc and all is set now.

I called Ford the next day as I was under the impression that I was to receive 3 years of free use on the Ford Network. After getting passed to 5 different people I was finally told that this is not an option in Canada, so the only use that I can see using the Ford app is to treat it like google or apple pay, just a one point payment process. I had the electrician here the next day to price out putting in the charger. Getting it connected tomorrow, been on 110v charge and the Ford charger which has kept up for our use but really really slow.

I downloaded the Flo app and put $50 in it for those just in case times. My sister in law has had a Leaf for several years and she has several apps which she uses depending on where she is (she works in US but lives in Quebec). I am planning on a trip to Vancouver this summer so I will either add an extra app or hope that the Tesla adaptor comes before we leave.

Can't wait for winter to be over so the wife can driver her convertable and I can drive the Mach-e

Congrats on your Mach E purchase. If you are heading north on the QE2 there is a free Flo charging station at the Equs Power office just north of the Chrysler dealership in Innisfail. And farther north Flo has 2 free chargers at different locations in the city of Leduc. These are all 50 KWH chargers. I have used all 3 of them a few times and never had an issue connecting.

 

[music_cities]

Around here (Alberta, BC) FLO is the most reliable. A lot of the FLO chargers are free destination L2 chargers, but you still need a FLO account to activate them. A lot of the FLO DCFC chargers are older 50kW units that charge around 35kW, which is ok if you enjoy a leisurely meal nearby (they legacy ones are centrally located in town business districts.) I also found a FLO charger that was "in network" and activated it via the FordPass app, I'm not actually sure whether I've paid for that charge or not — it wasn't a big charge. Probably it will show up via my Ford wallet.

I'm looking forward to getting the "Charge Assist" app on the vehicle screen. Apparently it will allow us to active the "in network" chargers from within the car, instead of needing the FordPass app and a phone. As long as I have to get my phone out to activate a charger, I might as well just open up the app for the charger. Check if you have this in the home screen inside your car.

For FLO, if you're going to use them frequently, spend $15 of the tap card. Then you won't need your phone to start a charge at a FLO charger. I was recommended that. I ordered one on December 20th, they haven't sent it yet because they're having supplier issues, so they credited me the $15 as charge credit. I will direct my wife to use Flo chargers if she's out on a road trip without me, so she can just tap and charge without struggling with apps on her phone.

Apps I use to charge:

Journie: FREE CHARGING (for a limited time) at On-The-Run stores, very fast charging if the charger's internal battery is full.

FLO: See above, most useful around here

ElectrifyCanda: Stupidly expensive but also very fast and has been reliable. EDIT: these also have tap readers for a credit card, so you don't need the app or an account for occasional use.

I don't recommend the Shell Recharge app, it's awful. I haven't tried out the PetroCanada system yet because everyone tells me the chargers are unreliable. I have used the Ford App once, since I noticed the charger was "in network", but until I get ChargeAssist on my home screen in the car I don't see a reason to use it again.

 

[ATL]

I called Ford the next day as I was under the impression that I was to receive 3 years of free use on the Ford Network. After getting passed to 5 different people I was finally told that this is not an option in Canada, so the only use that I can see using the Ford app is to treat it like google or apple pay, just a one point payment process.

I downloaded the Flo app and put $50 in it for those just in case times.

I might be able to add a bit to the other fine answers above...

In the US, purchasers were given an amount of energy credit (not a free window of time). For some unknown reason, Ford of Canada awarded their customers points to their Ford Pass account instead. AFAIK, this is still there case--please correct me if not.

You should check your account, because the amount of dollars it's worth isn't trivial. Confusing these incentives is an easy mistake to make, since it's really common to view American information cross-border on many media.

You are quite generous, letting FLO use your cash for an indeterminate time!

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