Ford Dealerships Provide Public Access to 3,000+ Fast Charging Stations
The holidays are here, and many of us are packing up our cars to visit friends and family. While most customers usually utilize home charging as their primary charging method, many take to the road during the holidays, making it one of the busiest times of year for our electric vehicle customers using Ford’s BlueOval™ Charge Network.
As a manager of public charging experience at Ford and an electric vehicle owner who frequently road trips, I've personally witnessed the evolution of public charging. Since getting my first electric vehicle in 2018, I've driven to places from the Canadian Rockies to the Rio Grande and all across the East and West Coasts, “filling up” over 1,000 times at public fast charging stations in North America. I even took my F-150 Lightning to 37 states in just one year!
Through all those miles and charging stops, I’ve learned what makes an ideal charging experience:
- Knowing that on arrival, there’s a charging station to use — no waiting.
- Treating it as a rest stop for you, too. Stops that have amenities like pet areas or restaurants provide a moment for you and the vehicle to recharge.
- Filling up doesn’t take too long and can easily get you enough range to get to your next destination.
Planning a Smooth Ride
I’ve found that a smooth electric vehicle road trip, especially during the busy holidays, begins with careful planning: knowing your route, understanding your vehicle's range, and identifying charging stops that best fit your needs along the way. If you're traveling in colder climates, it helps to be aware that winter weather can impact range and charging efficiency.
For some charging recommendations, check out our Winter Electric Vehicle Driving Tips and Electric Road Trips Made Easy resources.
Ford's BlueOval Charge Network: Making Charging Easy
At Ford, we help make the journey even easier for electric vehicle owners with the BlueOval Charge Network, the largest integrated public charging network in North America, where customers can activate and pay with a single app.1 Through the Ford app,2 customers have access to 21 charging networks combined. No more fumbling with multiple apps, logins, and various payment methods.
We also know that it’s important to continue adding stations to the BlueOval Charge Network. That’s why we've continued to expand, adding new partners and growing alongside our existing networks over the last year. This now includes access to 5,000 additional Tesla Superchargers, making more than 25,000 Tesla Superchargers available to our customers. Now, nearly 90% of all public DC fast-chargers are in the BlueOval Charge Network.3
Beyond just finding a charger, with Plug & Charge functionality, we’re making payments even simpler. Plug & Charge can make charging easier than pumping gas: just plug in, and your vehicle automatically connects, charges, and processes payment — no opening apps or pulling out credit cards.
We are proud that we were one of the first automakers to launch Plug & Charge through the BlueOval Charge Network, starting with Electrify America in 2020 and the Tesla Supercharger network in 2024. Ford drivers using Plug & Charge enjoy a 99%+ charging success rate, making it a reliable way to activate DC fast charging.4
Starting today, Ford drivers can enjoy Plug & Charge at IONNA stations nationwide. IONNA currently has 1,110 fast chargers live or under construction, with the goal to expand to 30,000 by the end of 2030. As the IONNA network expands, so will Ford drivers’ Plug & Charge access.
But we're not stopping there.
We’re also starting to roll out Plug & Charge to Ford Charge, our network of more than 1,200 Ford-branded fast chargers at over 330 Ford dealerships, with a plan to enable it at all Ford Charge stations across the U.S. and Canada by early 2026.
Looking ahead, Plug & Charge will further expand to additional BlueOval Charge Network partners, including Shell Recharge. Keep checking the Ford app to see which BlueOval Charge Network stations are Plug & Charge capable.
This holiday season, travel confidently and easily in your Ford electric vehicle. With the expanded BlueOval Charge Network and the simplicity of Plug & Charge at available stations, your journey will be as enjoyable as your destination. Happy travels!
Robert Hayes is an electric road trip enthusiast and manager of public charging customer experience at Ford.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BlueOval Charge Network?
The BlueOval Charge Network is North America's largest integrated public charging network. Ford combines multiple charging networks to give all-electric vehicle owners simple and easy access to public charging via the Ford App. Through the BlueOval Charge Network you can find which charging stations are available, check the charging cost, and pay for charging seamlessly. Your all-electric Ford gives you access to the BlueOval Charge Network, with no annual fee, no matter where you buy your vehicle.
What is Plug & Charge?
Plug & Charge is a feature that simplifies public charging by letting you automatically charge and pay just by plugging in. Plug & Charge can make charging easier than pumping gas: just plug in, and your vehicle automatically connects, charges and processes payment — no opening apps or pulling out credit cards.
What is new?
We are expanding Plug & Charge capability/functionality to another charging network: IONNA. We’re also starting to roll out Plug & Charge to Ford Charge locations and have the goal to add more networks in 2026 to make charging easier at more locations.
Which charging networks in the BlueOval Charge Network already have Plug & Charge?
Plug & Charge has been available at Electrify America and EVolve NY stations since the 2021 Mustang Mach-E launched in late 2020, and at designated Tesla Supercharger stations since February, 2024.
How many stations will be equipped with Plug & Charge by the end of the year?
Over 34,000 charging stations in the BlueOval Charge Network will be equipped with Plug & Charge.
Why is Plug & Charge more convenient?
Plug & Charge can make charging easier than pumping gas: just plug in, and your vehicle automatically connects, charges and processes payment — no opening apps or pulling out credit cards.
When will the entire Ford Charge network have Plug & Charge?
Ford Charge is currently rolling out Plug & Charge in phases with the goal of enabling Plug & Charge at all 330+ Ford Charge dealers across the U.S. and Canada in early 2026.
How many stations does IONNA have?
IONNA currently has 1,100 charging bays live or under construction across the country, with the goal to expand to 30,000 bays by the end of 2030. As IONNA expands, so too will Ford drivers’ access to IONNA — including with Plug & Charge — with their BlueOval Charge Network account.
What networks already have Plug & Charge functionality?
Plug & Charge has been available at Electrify America and EVolve NY stations since the 2021 Mustang Mach-E launched in late 2020, and at designated Tesla Supercharger stations since February, 2024. With this expansion, Ford Charge andIONNA join that list as we expand Plug & Charge to make charging easier at more locations.
Why does public charging cost so much?
For most customers, home charging is their primary charging method, and the best way to save money operating an electric vehicle. Public DC Fast Charging requires significantly increased infrastructure and investment costs compared to installing a home charger. Ford customers can always use the Ford app to check the price of public chargers in the BlueOval Charge Network, helping them choose the right charger for their needs, whether it be charging speed or charging price.
Why don’t you have memberships connected to Plug & Charge so customers can pay a discounted rate through their memberships?
When paying for public charging, BlueOval Charge Network customers get the same pricing as if they were paying directly with the charging provider. While some charging networks offer paid subscriptions to receive discounted charging, most public charging networks do not. Customers can always choose to pay directly when charging on networks with which they have a paid subscription and use their BlueOval Charge Network account, including Plug & Charge, when charging at other networks.
Why should I use Blue Oval Charge Network if it costs more? Customers save more through specific memberships.
With the BlueOval Charge Network, Ford customers have access to 21 different networks from one app, with the ability to view, compare charging prices between all in-network charging providers and pay. Paid subscriptions offered by individual charging providers may work well for customers that charge frequently with those individual networks, but for many customers the flexibility to choose between any charging provider and use one familiar app to pay can be equally valuable. Ford allows customers to choose the payment method that works best for them even if a customer chooses to pay directly with the network(s) they have a paid subscription with, they can use their BlueOval Charge Network account, including Plug & Charge, when charging at other networks.
Are you expanding this feature to your entire network?
Ford has led the adoption of Plug & Charge in North America, as one of the first automakers to have Plug & Charge with Electrify America in 2020 and the first NACS partner to launch Plug & Charge on the Tesla Supercharger network in 2024. Ford believes that public charging should be as easy as possible and Plug & Charge is the best tool to make that happen. Plug & Charge expansion requires work between Ford and our charging network partners, like Ford Charge and IONNAwho are enabling Plug & Charge with us. We’re planning to expand Plug & Charge to more stations early next year.
1Based on active charging stations in OCPI data from Ford’s CMS partners, generated on 2/11/2025. Numbers subject to change. Ford App, compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via download. Message and data rates may apply.3 Numbers subject to change
2The Ford app, formerly known as the FordPass® app, is compatible with select smartphone platforms, is available via a download. Message and data rates may apply. Terms and conditions apply. Visit ford.com for our privacy notice.
3Includes public chargers available to Ford electric vehicles that can be activated via a mobile app. NACS adapter may be required. Excludes Tesla-only chargers, chargers with only CHAdeMO connectors, restricted-use / private chargers, and non-networked chargers.
4Based on connected vehicle data for the 8-month period of March 1, 2025, to October 31, 2025, in the U.S. and Canada for Ford electric vehicle charging sessions activated at Electrify America and compatible Tesla Superchargers. Adapter required for Tesla Superchargers.
