Preferred Charge Times are a feature of your all-electric Ford vehicle that allows you to set times of day or night that you prefer your vehicle to charge. Using this feature can help you avoid peak pricing from your home energy provider.
If you enroll with Ford Energy Rewards, Ford will take your Preferred Charge Times into account when scheduling your charge.
You can set up your Preferred Charge Times through the Ford Pass App®* or your in-vehicle touchscreen.
Important:
- Preferred Charge Times only apply to previously used alternating current (AC) chargers.
- Preferred Charge Times cannot overlap. If you try to set a Preferred Charge Time window that overlaps with another Preferred Charge Time window, you will receive an error and will be unable to save.
Setting Preferred Charge Times
Select from the dropdowns below to set your Preferred Charge Times.
Setting Preferred Charge Times on FordPass
- Ensure you have set a target charge.
- Open FordPass and select Energy.
- Select Preferred Charge Times.
- Choose a location from your list of saved locations.
- Select the + (plus) icon.
- Tap Select Time next to "Starts" and "Ends" to choose a start and end time.
- 2025+ model year (MY) vehicles can set one charge window per each Weekday and Weekend option.
- 2021-2024 MY vehicles can set two charge windows per each Weekday and Weekend option.
- Select the Repeat button. You can choose either:
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Tap Save and return to the Charge Time screen.
Your Preferred Charge Time is now set.
Setting Preferred Charge Times with the In-Vehicle Charge Settings
- Tap the vehicle icon or home/apps button, depending on your version of SYNC 4A.
- Tap Charging/Charge Settings.
- Select Charging Locations.
- Select a location from the list of recently visited chargers or create a new location.
- Choose when the charge time applies.
- Weekend
- Weekday
- Select a Charge Window.
- 2025+ model year (MY) vehicles can set one charge window per each Weekday and Weekend option.
- 2021-2024 MY vehicles can set two charge windows per each Weekday and Weekend option.
- Set the time you prefer you vehicle to charge.
- Tap Next.
- Review your preferences.
- Tap Save.
The system will send you back to the Charging/Charge Settings screen. Your new Preferred Charge Time and location will be listed on the charge locations screen.
Editing or Removing Preferred Charge Times
Select from the dropdowns below to learn how to edit or remove preferred charge times.
Editing or Deleting Preferred Charge Times in FordPass
- Open FordPass.
- Select Energy.
- Tap on Preferred Charge Times. Your charge times will display by location.
- Select the location you want to modify or delete.
- Perform any of the following:
- Select Starts to edit the start time.
- Tap Ends to edit the end time.
- Select Repeat to switch between Weekdays and Weekends.
- Tap Save to finish editing.
- Select Delete to erase the Preferred Charge Time.
Editing or Deleting Preferred Charge Times with the In-Vehicle Charge Settings
- Tap the vehicle icon or home/apps button, depending on your version of SYNC 4A.
- Tap Charging/Charge Settings.
- Select Charging Locations.
- Perform one of the following:
- Tap the Trash icon next to a location to delete the Preferred Charge Time.
- Tap the Pencil icon next to a location to edit the Preferred Charge Time.
Preferred Charge Times Frequently Asked Questions
Select from the questions below to learn more about Preferred Charge Times on your all-electric Ford.
Why should I set Preferred Charge Times? Is there a benefit?
Many utility providers offer rate plans with pricing that varies by time of day. Preferred Charge Times can help you maximize your savings by scheduling as much of your charging outside of peak pricing.
Contact your local utility to see if off-peak rate plans are available in your area.
In some areas, Ford Energy Rewards can connect electric vehicle owners with their local utility companies. You may be able to earn incentives in exchange for flexibility in Preferred Charge Times.
If you charge your vehicle at home and you have a participating local utility, you may be able to enroll today.
How does my vehicle determine when it should charge?
When you plug in your all-electric vehicle to any charger, it will consider the following factors:
- The power available from the charger.
- How much power it can accept from the charger.
- Any alternating current (AC) Charge Rate Limit setting on your vehicle (if equipped).
Your vehicle compares these factors against its current charge level and Target Charge to determine the estimated time needed to charge.
When you charge at a saved location with a Preferred Charge Time, your vehicle considers the factors above and looks ahead for the current and next calendar day. It will attempt to schedule as much of its estimated charging time inside the upcoming Preferred Charge Time windows as possible.
Will my vehicle ever charge outside a Preferred Charge Time?
You vehicle may draw power outside your Preferred Charge Time for the following reasons:
Target Charge Level
If your vehicle determines that it cannot achieve your Target Charge with the power available during your upcoming Preferred Charge Time windows, it will begin charging immediately. It will pause charging once it determines that the remaining charge can be completed within your Preferred Charge Time windows.
For example:
- You have a Preferred Charge Time window of 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (8 hours) on weekdays and all day on weekends.
- If your vehicle is plugged in at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, and your vehicle calculates it requires 9 hours to charge, it will:
- Begin charging at 7:00 p.m. on Monday.
- Pause charging at 8:00 p.m. on Monday.
- Resume charging at 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, charging until it completes at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
Departure Times
If a Departure Time is set and your vehicle is plugged in, it will prepare the cabin and battery using power from your charge station instead of its battery.
Your vehicle will also plan charging before the next Departure Time, even if that means it has to charge outside of your Preferred Charge Time.
For example:
- You have set Preferred Charge Time windows of 1:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekdays, all day on weekends, and have also set a Departure Time of 6:00 a.m. on weekdays.
- If your vehicle is plugged in at 7:00 p.m. on a Monday:
- It will prefer to schedule charging between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday instead of 9:00 a.m. when the Preferred Charge Time window ends.
- Your vehicle may charge outside of your Preferred Charge Time to meet both your Target Charge level and Departure Time.
Manual Override of Preferred Charge Times
If you press the Start charging button in FordPass while your vehicle is waiting to charge, it will begin charging immediately. It will charge until the battery is full or the session is manually stopped.
How can I prevent my vehicle charging outside of set Preferred Charge Times?
- Ensure that your saved charge location is set correctly and that your vehicle recognizes it is at a saved location. When charging at a saved location, the Target Charge slider in FordPass will display the name of the location.
- Reduce your Target Charge if the power available from the charger is insufficient to complete the charge within your Preferred Charge Times.
- Extend the Preferred Charge Times window.
- Change your Departure Times (if any) to align better with your Preferred Charge Times.
More About All-Electric Ford Vehicles
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Additional Information
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*FordPass® app, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available through a download. Message and data rates may apply.