Using Ford's inluded charger for BMW i4

[mu5e]

Hey,
I use the included charging cable to charge my Mach-E.
For that, I installed a Nema 50 outlet with a 40A breaker and 8 gauge wires.
Since Ford is consuming 32A, that was fine.

I am buying a BMW i4, which can take 32A or 48A.
Can I still use my Ford charger for it?
I think the Ford charger is smart enough to limit itself to 32A.

Cheers!

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[kodiakng]

the Mach-E can draw up to 48A as well. charging your BMW will be fine.

the EVSE (EV Supply Equipment, colloquially called a "charger", what you've called the "charging cable") signals to the car the max amperage it can send.

 

[mu5e]

the Mach-E can draw up to 48A as well. charging your BMW will be fine.

the EVSE (EV Supply Equipment, colloquially called a "charger", what you've called the "charging cable") signals to the car the max amperage it can send.

So can Ford's EVSE produce 48A?

 

[kodiakng]

So can Ford's EVSE produce 48A?

no, most are only up to 32A when connected to the 14-50 pigtail (i think ford also uses 30A max mobile charger versions but appear to be sent with lightnings, not MMEs). you can purchase higher power EVSEs though - lots of models discussed here.

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

The provided charger will work, but you should consider buying an upgrade. The mobile charger is not designed to be used as your primary charger. Most everyone who used the Ford Mobile charger exclusively had overheating issues (blinking amber light, slowed down charging) after roughly a year of use. Very few owners were able to get a replacement charger. Maybe the equipment has improved since my 2021, but I wouldn't count on it.

There's lots of good options out there. You can get a "dumb" charger relatively cheaply, or "smart" charger with varying levels of control/functions/options for a little or a lot more $ depending on brand and features.
https://insideevs.com/features/717724/best-electric-vehicle-chargers-2024/

Check with your power company for rebates. WA may also have some state tax credits for chargers too.

 

[Tampamike]

I used my first mobile charger exclusively. It worked fine For about TWO years. It did then start overheating which caused it to throttle the charging to a slower rate but it would still charge fully to my designated 90% overnight. Ford, then, did replace the charger under warranty. I’m now using that second charger as my only at-home charger. No problems yet on the new one. If it ever fails completely, I’ll buy something else. Life is good.

 

[AliRafiee]

The i4 comes with a mobile charger too. I have an i4.

 

[mu5e]

Right, but I don't have the second outlet. I want to share one charger between two cars.

 

[mu5e]

Basically what you guys are saying I should not rely on "mobile" charger forever and install some kind of better charger? That can do 48amps?

 

[zvez]

Basically what you guys are saying I should not rely on "mobile" charger forever and install some kind of better charger? That can do 48amps?

Nema 14-50 plug you have on a 50 amp breaker can only handle 40 amps. To get higher amperage you'd have to hardwire to a 60 amp breaker. that will allow up to 48 amps.

I've used a nema 14-50 for three years now, first eighteen months with the portable evse, I upgraded to a juicebox which delivers 40 amps. Check with your local utility you might be able to buy one at a discount, I got mine from GA power at a $250 discount

 

[OH2AZ2OH]

Basically what you guys are saying I should not rely on "mobile" charger forever and install some kind of better charger? That can do 48amps?

I'm pretty sure you will need to hardwire to get 48 amps. With the plug, you'll be limited to 40amps. I actually have limited my charger to 24 amps, that's plenty to get me back to 85% overnight.

With 2 EVs, you might want to look at some of the dual cord options. Those split the amperage between the two cords until one car reaches target and then sends full power to the other car (usually). I looked at them when I got a Volt last year, but the Volt has such a short commute that I've been ok with my single cord. Maybe wait a month or 2 and see if you think you would be ok with a single. Dual cord chargers tend to be quite a bit pricier and bulkier.

 

[Mach1E]

Basically what you guys are saying I should not rely on "mobile" charger forever and install some kind of better charger? That can do 48amps?

That’s what many are saying.

I’ll throw out another option-

Spend $0 extra until you need to.

The Ford charger will work fine until it doesn’t. If it breaks outside of warranty, buy a better charger. Mine has been my only charger for 2.5 years. Never have I been unable to charge overnight.

Everyone is so quick to spend other people money. ?

 

[TheVirtualTim]

So can Ford's EVSE produce 48A?

I think you are asking about the Ford Mobile Charger. That's officially rated for 32 amps but most people indicate it maxes out at around 30 amps.

But there is also the Ford Connected Charge Station (48 amps) and Ford Charge Station Pro (80 amps for the F-150 Lightning) which are both wall-mounted EVSE's.

All of these will work with ANY EV that has a J1772 port (or adapter such as Tesla's).

 

[rbertonieresr]

If you buy one of these from Ford then you can hardwire it to a 60 amp circuit and charge at 48 Amps. There are cheaper and probably better alternatives that do the same.
https://chargers.ford.com/ford-connected-charge-station

 

[21st Century Pony]

Basically what you guys are saying I should not rely on "mobile" charger forever and install some kind of better charger? That can do 48amps?

A clarification: the "charger" in all EVs is inside the car and regulates charging. The EVSE a.k.a "the brick" is simply a supply spigot. Spigots may have a larger or a smaller throughput capacity, as do EVSEs, yet the charger inside that car regulates how much juice the car will demand.

I hope this is helpful info.

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