Way to be cheap, Ford

[Jimrpa]

Free charging is a sucker come on for most prospective Mustang Mach E owners. I believe that most people in the Mustang Mach E marketplace are the type who would be able to charge at home (they’d have some kind of dedicated parking space and a place to put in a charger), so regular fast charging isn’t an issue. People will likely only be fast charging when they travel. I’ve gone on some overnight trips and haven’t used a fast charger yet (on one trip, there weren’t any on the route. On another, the ones on the route were … broken). The only time I’ve used fast charging was when my street was closed and I couldn’t park in my garage. I had to charge at the fast charger that is 3 miles from my home. I’ve burned through about 200 of the 500 KWH Ford gave me.
Even at the “market rate” of $0.32/KWH it would cost about $30 to “fill” my Mustang Mach E at a fast charger when I traveled. If I still had my escape, I’d be paying about $40 every time I filled up, not just when I traveled.
So, tell me again why “Free charging for X years” should be a factor in a purchase decision”? ?????
I’d rather ford restore the hands-free tailgate and acoustic glass on the higher end trim levels (and add ventilated seats with more adjustments please ?)

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[Jimrpa]

Golly ... Everyone is so triggered!

I think everyone is saying the same thing, but they can't put on their big boy pants and get around the "cheap" statement.

From a marketing perspective, which I think is the OPs argument, it is silly for Ford to not offer more complimentary charging BECAUSE it's so cheap and it would just make people feel good. I would agree that it would have probably been a good selling point. I compare it to that stupid VIN engraving or anything else that a sales person "sells" you to make you feel warm and fuzzy. To some people it works.

The problem is that everyone here is triggered over the insult or insinuation that Ford is "cheap". I agree that we don't need free charging, and that it shouldn't be a qualifier for purchasing a car. I generally don't agree with any handouts period.

So take a deep breath and relax... It won't break the bank either way.

you are making some excellent points and I agree with them. Something I’d like to offer for consideration:
Who is Ford’s market for the Mustang Mach E? Not everyone is your customer ? I don’t see Bentley offering a sub $30K entry level car that emphasizes value for money ?

 

[ChuckA]

Eliminating the foot liftgate control, that you paid for, is a big deal, free charging is not relevant. I didn’t know about it until after I bought my MME. I’m surprised Sandy Munro didn’t do a video about it.

 

[SnBGC]

You really think that Ford gave you a "few thousand" off the purchase of your FE in exchange for as much as a couple of hundred in free charging? Really?

That's not how product planning works. But ok, as long as you're happy with the deal. ?

My parents told me never to argue with an idiot. Now I know why this forum has a block feature.

 

[Maquis]

Sounds like the OP should bought a Tesla when they came with lifetime Supercharging. To him, it’s like getting a free car! ?

 

[Pushrods&Capacitors]

Seriously, this is where we are? Motorcycles with free charging means Ford is being cheap?

Go do an online checkout of a Tesla Model Y, which is an actual direct competitor, then tell us the price disparity between it and a similar MME. Then tell me about it’s interior. And it’s fit/finish and overall quality. Then tell us when Supercharger network charging was last available for free.

And as far as the VW Id4 goes, well, you have to offer some enticement when you’re selling a driving appliance rather than a stylish, fun to drive vehicle with some personality.

Plus, as others covered already, the EA network is VW owned because dieselgate.

 

[AKgrampy]

I am not in marketing but if Ford can sell every unit way in advance we are lucky they are not jacking the price - free power may be nice but my guess is I will never use it! Heck I was not even aware of the tax credit when I ordered mine!

 

[Sam James]

VW has to give away charging with the id.4 because that’s what THOSE buyers value. They don’t care about performance, because that car is over 8 seconds to 60mph. It’s a good car. I had one on order for my wife for a while. But it’s a boring car aimed at a different audience. Same w the motorcycle. Very few people are going to do 1000 mile road trips on an electric motorcycle. They need to generate buzz. More power to them. I’d rather Ford work through the year of back orders they have.

They don't have to give it away and they've already reduced the terms of that agreement for new buyers, but as an ID.4 owner with a MME on order I can say that you can appreciate the car for other reasons. The 0-60 time is better than 8 seconds, I don't even believe the 7.6 number, but who cares? Its a family car that'll still beat most in-town traffic just fine. Its also very enjoyable on the road, especially hilly areas like the Ozarks-Ouachita Mountains and I wouldn't call it "boring". We've enjoyed the hell out of this car and will likely keep it for the family road trips where we don't need to bring the Lightning. That 3 years of free charging is nice as its just one less thing to worry about.

 

[DevSecOps]

you are making some excellent points and I agree with them. Something I’d like to offer for consideration:
Who is Ford’s market for the Mustang Mach E? Not everyone is your customer ? I don’t see Bentley offering a sub $30K entry level car that emphasizes value for money ?

True and I would argue that Ford's market is the mid-market, where "free" things often entice people to buy. It's one of those things that couples use against each other ... "Honey, it's only 10k more than an ICE vehicle and we get 2 years of free charging" ... "Ok, well I guess that justifies it". Illogical, irrational or otherwise, we all know it works.

 

[Motomax]

Nothing is free and every company is cheap relatively speaking. Welcome to the real world lol.
btw, I’ll probably never use up my 500kwhr bank. I couldnt really care less about free charging.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

My parents told me never to argue with an idiot. Now I know why this forum has a block feature.

Yup.

We need a “Do not feed the trolls” sign. Here’s two for use throughout this theead

 

[Badger_Prof]

I think it would be cool if you could convert FordPass points into charging.

I think it would be cool if you could convert the “free” charging into FordPass points.

 

[kikibop]

Don't get me wrong - I enjoy a patronizing response as much as the next person, but the reality is the LiveWire costs 40% as much as the GTPE I ordered but comes with 2x the free charging.

Ford is being cheap, no matter how they justified it.

- Mark

I’ve had my Mach E for 11 months. I’ve used public chargers 7 times, 3 of which were on “free holiday” promotions. Not sure how saving maybe $50 on a $60,000 purchase would make an inkling of difference to anybody. But go on, the forums are for nothing if not airing of petty grievances.

 

[CarsIMBwife]

I looked at the free charging like a party “goodie bag.” It was nice to have on our first road trip, but with most of our charging at home, I honestly don’t mind the cost on road trips. I wouldn’t mind more plug & charge partners, though. We need to keep charging simple (stupid) … the old kiss rule.

 

[kikibop]

it would just make people feel good

Ahh…this is the whole point, isn’t it. OP is all in his feelings. ¯\(°_O)/¯

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