What is the recommended charge level for a Ford?
For Ford’s electric and plug-in vehicles, the typical guidance is to keep the battery’s state of charge (SOC) within a moderate range—about 20% to 80% for daily driving—and to charge to 100% only when you anticipate needing the full range for a long trip.
General guidance for daily use
These practical guidelines help maximize battery health and convenience across Ford’s electric lineup.
- Keep the battery SOC at approximately 20% to 80% for everyday driving. This range reduces wear from frequent high-voltage charging and deep discharge while still providing ample range for typical trips.
- Charge to 100% only before long trips, and start your trip soon after charging to avoid extended storage at full capacity.
- Use Ford's charging-management tools (FordPass app or the in-vehicle charging settings) to set a maximum charge limit, commonly around 80% for daily use.
- Schedule charging to occur during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper and the battery can warm up to improve charging efficiency, especially in cold weather.
- When the vehicle is cold, preconditioning the battery while plugged in can help charging efficiency and battery health.
Adhering to these practices supports battery longevity and predictable daily range, though exact recommendations can vary by model and battery chemistry.
Model-specific considerations
Different Ford models may offer slightly different charging options or limits. Here are notes for popular models:
Mustang Mach-E
The Mach-E supports charging to 100% for long trips, but Ford generally recommends using an 80% daily cap for battery longevity. Use the FordPass app to set the Charge Limit and to enable scheduled charging.
F-150 Lightning
F-150 Lightning owners can apply the same charging principles as a guide: keep daily charging around 80% and charge to 100% before trips requiring maximum range. The vehicle’s touchscreen and FordPass app provide configuration options to cap the maximum charge.
Ford plug-in hybrids (e.g., Escape PHEV, Explorer PHEV)
Plug-in hybrids use a smaller battery and often operate with a mix of electric and gasoline drive. Ford generally encourages moderate SOC management to optimize daily usability; consult your owner’s manual for model-specific guidance, but maintaining an SOC around 20–80% is a common best practice for many PHEVs.
How to set a charging limit
Use Ford's digital tools to cap the charge limit, ensuring the vehicle charges only up to your chosen maximum.
- In the FordPass app: Menu > Charging > Charge Limit, then set to your preferred percentage (commonly 80%).
- In-vehicle: Vehicle > Settings > Charging > Charge Limit, set the cap similarly.
- Enable scheduled charging: set a time window overnight to begin charging and keep the vehicle within the limit.
Using a charge-limit helps automate adherence to the recommended SOC, reduces battery stress, and can save energy costs with off-peak charging.
Additional considerations
Climate, battery age, and charging infrastructure can influence charging routines.
- Cold weather can temporarily reduce range and charging speed; preconditioning while plugged in helps protect battery health and improve efficiency.
- Battery degradation over time is normal; avoid routinely charging to 100% or letting SOC stay at 0% for extended periods.
- Always consult your model’s manual for exact guidance, as recommendations can change with software updates and battery technology advances.
In practice, the guiding rule remains: charge to meet daily needs without prolonged periods at full or near-empty states, and reserve full charges for trips where the extra range is necessary.
Summary
Ford’s recommended practice for most electric and plug-in Ford vehicles is to maintain a daily SOC around 20%–80%, and to charge to 100% only when you need the full range for a trip. Use the FordPass app or in-car charging settings to cap the limit at about 80%, and consider scheduling overnight charging for efficiency and cost savings. Always refer to your specific model’s manual for any model-specific guidance or updates.
