Charge cars and plan more with your smartphone

BARCELONA, SPAIN: The new MyFord mobile app will soon enable electric vehicle drivers to remotely connect their smartphone with the car to manage charging – and even set a chosen cabin temperature before their journey.

Ford announced the launch of MyFord Mobile app at Mobile World Congress. Drivers will be able to use the app and associated website to remotely manage the status of their car, check the range, and plan journeys to include charging.

MyFord Mobile shows CO2 savings as exercise balls, or hot-air balloons; reflects the energy efficiency of different driving styles through “Zen” and “Zippy” ratings; and offers tips on how efficiency might be improved.

Among the first vehicles to offer MyFord Mobile in Europe will be the zero emission new Focus Electric that will now feature SYNC 2 voice-activated connectivity, which Ford today announced would be available in spring 2015. MyFord Mobile also is available for the C-MAX Energi plug-in electric hybrid vehicle.

Supported by a dedicated website and available for iOS and Android, the MyFord Mobile app connects to the car via an on-board modem that sends data directly to a remote server.

As well as informing drivers when they have made CO2 savings equivalent to that required to fill an exercise ball or a hot-air balloon, badges, pop-ups, and alerts also let drivers know when they have reached certain zero-emission distance benchmarks, such as covering a distance equivalent to one round-the-world trip. Personalized feedback advises how range might be improved, for example, by optimizing regenerative braking. Drivers also can track driving habits over time, and monitor how changes in behavior affect energy consumption.

The Go Times feature enables drivers to prepare the car so that it is charged and ready to go with a pre-set cabin temperature, at a specific time and date. Plugged in, it will use energy from the grid, rather than the battery to heat or cool the car. The app uses integrated HERE maps that can help drivers locate their car as well as plan journeys and locate charge stations. Drivers can personalize the app with car name and color, charge profiles, and charge scheduling.

Available in English, Dutch, French, German and Spanish, MyFord Mobile is free for the first five years of vehicle ownership.

“Through remote interaction with the vehicle, MyFord Mobile enhances convenience and mobility – from supporting drivers to easily plan journeys, to making sure the cabin is just the right temperature from the very moment they step into the car,” Butler said.

Now available in Europe at a price which is on average 14 per cent less than the outgoing model, the new Focus Electric is equipped with an advanced electric motor and lithium-ion battery powertrain that produces 145 PS and achieves a top speed of 137 km/h. The 6.6 kW fully integrated onboard charger can deliver 100 km driving range with 2-3 hours charging, and around 150 km driving range with 3-4 hours charging from a 32 A charging station.