Charging an electric car is already much cheaper than paying for gasoline, but free charging can be even more attractive.
Tesla offers its free network of Supercharger DC fast-charging stations and Level 2 AC stations, and Nissan has offered free charging as a promotion to drive showroom traffic.
Now, Ford is jumping on the free-charging bandwagon with its EV 1-2-3 Charge card.
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The card is offered to California and Maryland customers who purchase or lease a 2016 C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid.
It grants free access to more than 500 public charging stations for three years.
The card--which was developed in partnership with the NRG eVgo charging network--is mailed to C-Max Energi owners who acquire their cars between October 1, 2015 and October 1, 2016.
2016 Ford C-Max Energi
Ford says it takes about 2.5 hours to fully charge a C-Max Energi's 7.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
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The C-Max Energi has an EPA-rated electric range of 20 miles.
Other than an enlarged battery pack, the C-Max Energi shares its other powertrain components with the non-plug-in C-Max Hybrid.
So when it's not running on electric power, the Energi uses a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine for propulsion and to generate electricity.
2016 Ford C-Max Energi
Those stations will be identified by a pink-colored icon in the system, which is integrated with the C-Max's optional Sync 3 infotainment system.
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MyFordMobile also allows certain functions--like scheduling charging times--to be done remotely, and allows drivers to check charge status, gas mileage, and driving efficiency from their phones.
It's unclear whether Ford will expand the EV 1-2-3 Charge program beyond California and Maryland, or to include the company's other two plug-in models--the Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid and Focus Electric.
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