Ford is looking to alleviate some of the EV charging problem by offering a free home charger. The automaker will even send a technician to install it at no cost to you if you buy or lease a retail Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning, or E-Transit between October 1 and January 2. However, Ford may choose to extend the program if it is successful. (Ford Pro fleet customers will receive a $2,000 commercial freight cash incentive instead.)
According Joanna Stern of The Wall Street JournalThose who take up the offer will receive a Level 2 charger at home. This should save Ford EV buyers and lessees a pretty penny, as the Ford Charge Station Pro costs $1,310 and the company typically charges $2,000 for installation. Still, those who want to take the deal may need to make sure their garage is connected properly to take full advantage of Level 2 charging.
The electric vehicle side of Ford's business has been struggling lately: The company expects that division to lose up to $5.5 billion this year. In January, it cut production of the F-150 Lightning due to lower-than-expected demand and shifted resources to build more Broncos and Rangers. A few months later, the company delayed some electric vehicle models, including a planned three-row SUV, and focused more on hybrids. But in August, the automaker canceled the three-row SUV project entirely and further delayed some other electric vehicles.
Incentivizing the purchase and lease of electric vehicles with a free home charger and installation is smart and could pay off for Ford. However, it may prove to be little more than a Band-Aid for the division's deeper problems.
Update 9/30 2:53 pm ET: The headline has been updated to reflect that the offer is available for all new EV purchases and leases in the US.
