BlueOval Charge Network expands Plug & Charge to IONNA and Ford Charge

[LiteNing]

I think it is unlikely that we will see membership discounts through the plug and charge system.

The thing is that the member program is fundamentally a loyalty program, much like airline premier status. The monthly fee and discounted rates are designed to entice you to do all (or as much as possible) charging with that one network. It usually doesn’t make sense to pay for memberships on two networks at once, and it doesn’t make sense to charge out-of-network once you have paid for one.

The problem (from the charge network’s perspective) is that plug and charge effectively commoditizes charging, so you have no incentive to be loyal to one over another. It’s just as easy to use Tesla as EA as EVgo even if you don’t have the app installed.

Another other problem that comes to mind: Typically the membership is associated with a person, not a car. What is to stop a group of friends from associating all of their cars with one membership, thus diminishing the loyalty proposition of the membership? Five of us each pay for one network and now get discounts on all five. Now we don’t have any reason to stick with any one network.

I’d like plug and charge membership discounts too, but I don’t see how the networks have any incentive to cooperate with Ford.

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[jbassett]

The thing is that the member program is fundamentally a loyalty program, much like airline premier status. The monthly fee and discounted rates are designed to entice you to do all (or as much as possible) charging with that one network. It usually doesn’t make sense to pay for memberships on two networks at once, and it doesn’t make sense to charge out-of-network once you have paid for one

I have no problem with the monthly charge, I just don't want to have to use the app to take advantage of the discount. If I'm taking a short trip and only need one or two charges I won't enroll in a membership and get the non member rates. But if I know I'm going to charge a lot for a trip I can enroll and try to stick with that one network but just have to plug and charge to use it.

Another other problem that comes to mind: Typically the membership is associated with a person, not a car. What is to stop a group of friends from associating all of their cars with one membership, thus diminishing the loyalty proposition of the membership? Five of us each pay for one network and now get discounts on all five. Now we don’t have any reason to stick with any one network.

What's stopping someone from sharing the login to the membership today?

 

[flabrent]

I think it is unlikely that we will see membership discounts through the plug and charge system.

..........

I’d like plug and charge membership discounts too, but I don’t see how the networks have any incentive to cooperate with Ford.

I was surprised when Tesla opened their chargers to other vehicles. I'm pretty sure Tesla "bean counters" pushed for this.
Now, with the ten's of thousand of Mach-E's and Lightnings out on the streets, I'd be surprised if none of the networks of DCFC wouldn't be willing to cut a deal with Ford's plug and charge. I'm counting on someone's CFO saying "Hey, this makes sense for us to steer more vehicles to our chargers."

 

[PJnc284]

Don't let me get on a rant about how stations should much more prominently SHOW the station number, clearly and well lit, and RIGHT IN FRONT of your face. Why some, like Tesla, put their's at the very bottom of the pedestal, or on the SIDE away from the vehicle, I'll never know.

ha and sometimes they don't even put the numbers on them. Took a while for Tesla to add them to the v4 dispensers when they expanded the location in Halifax, NC.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

I feel kind of spoiled as I thought Ionna was already on the list. Just seems like there are so many, which is very nice.
One near me that isn't on the list is 7/11 stations. Any plans for them?

 

[Ekiehn]

I'm just thrilled that IONNA is now PlugNCharge.. my typical long haul trip has 2 new IONNA locations just coming on-line right where i need them. It's always nice to just get to a charging spot, just plugging in and walking away (smiling to myself when I see other people struggling with apps - though I do often find myself helping out).

 

[PreservedSwine]

I Love that plug-n-charge works. But since it removes any membership discounts, switching back and forth between plug-n-charge at stations I'm not a member vs stations I have a membership removes any of the convenience. I don't use plug-n-charge for that reason.

 

[RickLightning]

I feel kind of spoiled as I thought Ionna was already on the list. Just seems like there are so many, which is very nice.
One near me that isn't on the list is 7/11 stations. Any plans for them?

There are like 30 locations in the US... Florida is biasing your perspective as it has quite a few.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

There are like 30 locations in the US... Florida is basing your perspective as it has quite a few.

I meant so many 3rd party companies already in the Blue Oval Network.. I guess I kind of said it weird.

 

[hturnerfamily]

Let's think about what we're all arguing about here: the ability to simply plug in, to initiate a charge.

A) yes, the ability to simply plug in to initiate a charge thru the FORD BlueOval account is a nice feature. But, in the end, it's just a feature - it in no way 'speeds' the process or offers any other type of benefit, since you can ALREADY use the APP to simply tap on a BlueOval station to activate it, even BEFORE you exit your vehicle.

B) no matter 'how' you initiate a charge session, you still have to PHYSICALLY exit the vehicle, and plug the station cable into your vehicle. That process does NOT change no matter what method you use.

C) so, if you 'must' use a separate APP to initiate a charge, and receive your membership rate, the only difference is the APP you are using. If you are referring to Tesla, you can certainly have their app already loaded and simply tap on the station you are going to use, even as you are pulling up to it. It works the same for any company's APP, whether EA or Chargepoint or others.
So, even if you use this method, you still have to do the SAME EXACT thing as you do with PlugNCharge - exit your vehicle and plug in.


as to the fact that PlugNCharge, as a system, 'automatically' knows your vehicle, might be an overstatement. There is nothing that says that Tesla knows your full vin number of your vehicle, and therefore 'who' you are, just because you plug in to a Supercharger. VIN numbers can easily be confirmed as from a specific MANUFACTURER, to confirm the contractual agreement between the two vendors, I.e., Tesla and Ford. Matter-of-fact, the first few digits is all they need(the second reveals the brand/name). All Tesla needs, in this scenario, is the second digit.
There is also nothing to say that any other vin-specific information is provided to Tesla, or others, when you initiate a charge thru the FORD App, or any other way. In that case, that vendor is sending the charge activation to Tesla.
If you use the Tesla app, yes, you may be providing that full vin IF you have given it to them, which may be a requirement when you create your profile, of course.

With that in mind, I think you can understand why PlugNCharge does not operate the same as the Tesla App... and why only Tesla owners have that built-in 'membership rate' feature.
If FORD decides to roll out their own 'Superchargers', then, yes, you'll probably be able to simply plug in, start a charge, and receive the potential 'Ford Membership Rate', if so.

As long as we have a 'brand-specific' dedicated nationwide charge option, like Tesla, we're going to see Tesla keep some of the 'owner benefits' to themselves... even if they let the rest of us 'join' their app.

 

[hturnerfamily]

I meant so many 3rd party companies already in the Blue Oval Network.. I guess I kind of said it weird.

yes, and it's amazing...and very much appreciated when traveling.
We have a set of new Autel Red-e 60kw units along our travel pathway... but, they are not really fast, and are difficult to initiate a charge, not sure whether you can 'scan' a qr code, or you have to set up the app, etc., as there is no card reader... it's slow, clunky, and confusing to even start.

but, amazingly, with FORD now bringing Red-e into the BlueOval fold, I simply click within the FORD app to initiate a charge - easy.

This is the amazing part of the 'ecosystem' within the FORD BlueOval charge system, and why it's an amazing feature for us to have.

Whether all these brands are PlugNCharge or not is not my issue - but as long as they are capable within the BlueOval Network, and the FORD app, makes all the difference. And, convenience.

 

[flabrent]

Let's think about what we're all arguing about here: the ability to simply plug in, to initiate a charge.

A) yes, the ability to simply plug in to initiate a charge thru the FORD BlueOval account is a nice feature. But, in the end, it's just a feature - it in no way 'speeds' the process or offers any other type of benefit, since you can ALREADY use the APP to simply tap on a BlueOval station to activate it, even BEFORE you exit your vehicle.

LOL!
That reminds me of a discussion I had a couple of years ago.
I had a guy trying to explain how paying with cash in the supermarket check out line was faster than using "tap to pay" with a credit card. I laughed and kept on moving.

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