[ChasingCoral]

https://fordauthority.com/2022/02/ford-mustang-mach-e-charge-angels-fleet-vehicle-spotted-for-first-time/

Ford Mustang Mach-E Charge Angels Fleet Vehicle Spotted For First Time
By Brett Foote
February 24, 2022 10:22 am

The Ford Mustang Mach-E Charge Angels program was first revealed back in October, though the automaker didn’t reveal all the detailssurrounding its efforts to “sniff out” non-functional EV charging stations until December. Essentially, Ford is relying on third-party chargers to keep its Mach-Es “fueled up” and running, and if those chargers aren’t working properly, it can cause big headaches for owners. That’s where the Charge Angels program comes into play, and now, Ford Authority spies have spotted a Mach-E fleet vehicle -finished in Grabber Blue – for the very first time.

This Ford Mustang Mach-E Charge Angels fleet vehicle is one of many that will follow, patrolling roads in the U.S. with technicians aboard that will test the performance and connectivity of the 70,000 chargers that comprise the Ford BlueOval Charge Network. The special Mach-Es are equipped with high-tech diagnostics and data collection systems used to test and monitor charging performance, communications, and billing protocols. That equipment can relay information to a special team at Ford that is tasked with identifying any technical issues related to chargers. When problems are discovered, Ford will reach out to the third-party charging network providers to rectify those issues.

The goal of this endeavor Is to make the Ford BlueOval Charge Network as reliable as a self-serve gas station, a big sticking point as the automaker invests heavily in EVs, ramp up its electric vehicle production to 600,000 units per year by 2024, and increase Ford Mustang Mach-E production to 200,000 units annually by 2023. Range anxiety is routinely one of the biggest barriers for those thinking about trading in their ICE vehicle for an EV, and Ford’s Charge Angels program aims to help ensure drivers don’t have to worry about pulling into a charging station and finding out the hard way that those units are not functioning properly.

This operation figures to be an important one as more and more Mach-Es hit the road. In recent weeks, Ford’s EV crossover has continued its hot streak, becoming one of the top 20 fastest-selling used vehicles in January, keeping its spot on Kelley Blue Book’s most considered electrified vehicles list for three consecutive quarters, earning Consumer Reports‘ 2022 Top EV Pick, and being named one of the most satisfying EV SUVs on the market.

We’ll have more on the Mach-E soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Mustang Mach-E news and ongoing Ford news coverage.

 

[GDN]

Nice to see them focus on some reliability and do followups, however I believe every DCFC out there is likely "connected". Why Ford wouldn't just require reporting from their charging partners? Every charging session is leaving stats behind. They should be able to identify every charger over a few day period that is reporting substandard charging speeds/protocol and require that the charger be repaired within a 12 to 24 hour period.

Either the app or the vehicle itself should have an easy way to report a substandard charge or a non-operational charger. It could be as simple as an 800 number to call.

Glad to see they are doing something, but seems the money of putting a few cars on the road that won't nearly scratch the surface of getting to all of the chargers across the 50 states could be so much better spent in some automation and reporting from their partners.