Feature Request - Lock charge port while AC charging

[Triumphator]

This is how it already works for Mach-E for Type 2 cables, both AC and fast DC charging. The cable locks and unlocks in sync with the doors. Pretty sure I'm not imagining it, maybe our Europe friends can back me u

It is! The charge port will be locked, even the car will be loaded on AC. But when the doors still opened, you have to push the load button twice for release.

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[Triumphator]

A point for Ford would be to lock the charge port flap with the car doors. Within big cities vandalism during nights is on the day. Some idiots destroying the chargeport (e.g. Superglue) and when the HVB goes empty next time, you will have a big problem.

 

[dijitalblue]

So it sounds like people are having mixed experiences with the charge port locking? My last car (a RAV4 Prime) had 3 options for the port lock: lock always, lock never, lock until charge complete. I miss that simplicity. It would also lock the port door with the other car doors.

I've only (so far) charged my Mach-E at home using a Grizzl-E. It NEVER seems to have the port locked. I even tried initiating a charge, waiting 5 mins for it to get underway, then grabbed the charge handle and removed it using only the EVSE's built in trigger release.

So, I definitely wish for the locking options that other brands have. But, what does Ford expect the behavior to be? Does it only lock during Level 3 charging? Only when you're not at your home charger? Only during a full moon? The 2025's manual suggests that the port will ALWAYS lock when in use but that's not what I'm seeing. I was worried the locking mechanism was broken in mine but looking around the forum I think it's doing what everyone else's does.

One other thought: is the feature dependent on what model year and what country you're in?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

It NEVER seems to have the port locked

It currently only locks the port when using DCFC, hence the post by @Mach-Lee at the beginning of the thread. It’s a feature that should be pushed. Locking the charge port door would be a good thing too for future iterations of the car imo

 

[AZBill]

It currently only locks the port when using DCFC, hence the post by @Mach-Lee at the beginning of the thread. It’s a feature that should be pushed. Locking the charge port door would be a good thing too for future iterations of the car imo

Mine has locked when charging away from home on L2, and I am in the US.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

After getting unplugged by a new Tesla (that ended up just taking the spot without charging, they probably had no clue how to use a J1772), I was thinking it would probably be a good idea to implement a locking charge port during all types of charging (AC and DC). Ford has already recently added locking the charge port during DC charging, so nobody can steal your adapter.

There are pros and cons of a locking port, but I would personally set it up so the port is locked with the car doors (how it currently works with DC charging), and also have it automatically unlock when charging is finished. That way someone else can use the charger if you are finished and can’t get back to unplug. If you want to stop charging while the car is locked, you’ll need to press the unlock button on the charge port and have a key present before it will stop and unlock. If the car is unlocked during charging, then you can just unplug like normal. You could also remote unlock the doors or stop the charge if you wanted to release the plug to someone present.

Many other EV brands already implement a locking charge port during AC charging (Tesla, Rivian, GM). Ford should get on the bandwagon to prevent nuisance disconnections.

Has certainly been a discussion at some point in time. I don't know if it's on the roadmap, but I'll feed this back to the team and keep an eye out for anything I can share if the time comes.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Mine has locked when charging away from home on L2, and I am in the US.

10.2 only provided locking for DCFC only. The port does not lock for L2 or L1 charging.

 

[Triumphator]

Has certainly been a discussion at some point in time. I don't know if it's on the roadmap, but I'll feed this back to the team and keep an eye out for anything I can share if the time comes.

I don´t know how Ford the function will not implementing in USA? In Germany it is usually.

 

[AZBill]

10.2 only provided locking for DCFC only. The port does not lock for L2 or L1 charging.

I took a trip recently and used a Tesla destination charger at my hotel, it was locked when I got to the car in the morning. I even heard it activate the lock, just like the DCFC, when I plugged in the night before.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I took a trip recently and used a Tesla destination charger at my hotel, it was locked when I got to the car in the morning. I even heard it activate the lock, just like the DCFC, when I plugged in the night before.

You would literally have the only Mach-e that locks on L2. Try that on a j1772 charger btw.

 

[BW-Korben]

En france vous etes systématiquement facturé si vous restez branché sans charger sur les bornes ac public sauf dans les centres commerciaux.
donc les gens renviennent debrancher une fois chargé. Finalement pas de gens bizarre qui vous débranchent.

 

[BW-Korben]

En france vous etes systématiquement facturé si vous restez branché sans chargeur sur les bornes ac public sauf dans les centres commerciaux.
donc les gens renviennent débrancher une fois chargée. Finalement pas de gens bizarres qui vous débranchent.

 

[BW-Korben]

Ah j'oubliais aussi vous etre surfacturé après 45mm de chargement. Donc les gens reviennent.
Ah peut etre un bon samaritain qui vous debranche de peur pour votre sur facturation ? ;-)

 

[AZBill]

You would literally have the only Mach-e that locks on L2. Try that on a j1772 charger btw.

The Tesla charger I used had a J1772 connector. At the hotel they had 8 destination chargers, 4 with NACS and 4 with J1772.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

The Tesla charger I used had a J1772 connector. At the hotel they had 8 destination chargers, 4 with NACS and 4 with J1772.

As I said, it’s not a feature. It’s not standard, it wasn’t an ota update. If your vehicle is locking on L2 charging, it’s one of a kind. That means something is not right.

EDIT: it’s one glitch or bug though that I’d not go get fixed.

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