Skip to main content
kevgallacher
Rank 2
kevgallacher
Rank 2
March 6, 2024
Solved

Ford EV charging no longer working with Charge Anytime - what's happened?

  • March 6, 2024
  • 142 replies
  • 7529 views

I have a Ford Mach-E and have been using OVO charge anytime for about 4 months now.
But Ford have decided OVO is a security risk and has blocked the account.

Is anyone else using this successfully? Is there any plans for charge anytime to support Ford cars?

    Best answer by Tim_OVO

    Updated on 02/06/25 by Abby_OVO
     

    Charge Anytime update: We’re sorry, we can't offer Charge Anytime through Ford anymore

     

    Since Ford blocked third party access to their vehicle data, we've been working closely with them to find a solution so you can keep Charge Anytime. 

     

    Unfortunately, we now know that Ford won't be able to provide a solution for the foreseeable future. So you won’t be able to get our Charge Anytime rate of 7p per kWh through Direct to Vehicle smart charging. This means you’ll pay your standard electricity unit rate for all EV charging.

     

    We’ll disconnect your vehicle from your Charge Anytime account on 31 July, so you’ll no longer have access to your charging history from that date. We know this is really disappointing, and we’re sorry we’ve not been able to find a solution for you. 

     

    Please note, this affects all energy suppliers, not just OVO. 

     

    You might be able to get Charge Anytime through a compatible charger – please see below for more details. 

     

    We’ve added £25 credit to all our affected customers’ accounts  

     

    To say sorry, we’ve added £25 energy credit to our affected customers’ energy accounts. If you’ve been affected, you’ll see this credit on your next bill. 

     

    You could keep Charge Anytime via a compatible charger

     

    If you have a compatible charger or EV, you can still get Charge Anytime. Just follow these steps:

     

    • Remove Charge Anytime from your account. To do this, go to the Charge Anytime app, select your green user icon, and click delete account. 
    • Delete the app from your phone.
    • Sign up to Charge Anytime again, using your charger details.

     

    If you don’t have one of these compatible chargers, we could install one for you. Head over to our website for more information. 

     

    Some Andersen chargers will also be compatible with Charge Anytime soon. Check if yours will be compatible on our website. 

     

    If you have any questions about this change, you can contact Ford via their website. 

     

    Thanks

    The OVO Team

     

    We’re aware that some Ford drivers are having issues with Charge Anytime

     

    Unfortunately, Ford have blocked smart-charging access to all third parties. This means some of our customers aren’t able to smart-charge with Charge Anytime at the moment. It also means those customers won’t get Charge Anytime credit for charging during this time. We’re sorry about this.

     

    We’re working hard to fix this issue with Ford, and get our affected customers back on Charge Anytime as soon as we can. For now, if you’re having issues with Charge Anytime, follow the instructions in your Ford app to charge your EV.

     

    We’ll post an update here as soon as we have any more information from Ford.

     

    Thanks
    The OVO Team

    142 replies

    Show previous replies
    R
    Newcomer
    rossshepherd
    Newcomer
    July 7, 2024

    Credit is still being captured on the app today… on  another note, why are Ovo cutting existing Ford customers from the app? They are just throwing fuel on the fire. Im happy to live with a phone call to Ford once a week to reconnect me.. Ovos approach helps no one.. as long as existing customers know what is needed we should be allowed to be connected to the app

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 7, 2024

    OVO had no choice but to totally shut it down. This is something Ford has forced them to do. 

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 8, 2024

    Ok, now that I’ve got a full size QWERTY in front of me rather than just poking and prodding at a 6.7 Inch touchscreen, I can respond with something a bit more fleshed out.

    I wish to remind all users that this comment was left by a Forum Volunteer and is NOT the views of OVO or Ford.

    The ultimate root cause of the whole issue here is that Ford had a pretty nasty security flaw in the FordPass platform, which they fixed with a few measures. One of which was to boot out  and permanently ban pretty much EVERYTHING they considered to be “Third-Party” and “Non-Essential” for the FordPass platform itself to function. Thus, as a result, nuking ALL Energy Suppliers from being able to touch basically anything at all - OVO’s Charge Anytime is only one of the affected tools, there are many others as well. This happened a few months ago and the fact that Charge Anytime has been working at all since is more about luck than anything else. We’ve said for some time on the Forum that the future was uncertain while OVO tried to figure something out.

    Alas, Ford has pulled the plug on those discussions and decided to maintain their total annihilation ban on ALL Third-Party Access to FordPass, for which there is nothing OVO can do about it. That’s why Ford is being removed from Charge Anytime and why even existing users are being disconnected. No permission = no access. Simple as that.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 8, 2024

    It sounds frustrating to have your charging options restricted like that. While I don't have specific updates on OVO's plans, here's some advice and information that might help:

    1. Check Ford's Official Channels: Ford's customer support or official forums might have the latest updates on compatibility issues with OVO Charge Anytime. They could provide insights or timelines for any potential resolution. Ford has already confirmed they have no plans to support Energy Supplier access to FordPass at this time. If you want to complain directly, be my guest - the contact details you’re looking for are at https://www.ford.co.uk/help/general/contact-us#par-box_1217524268-generalParsys-tabs-4

    2. Reach Out to OVO: Contact OVO Energy's customer service directly. They might be able to clarify whether they are working on resolving the compatibility issues with Ford cars or if there are any workarounds available. The OVO Forum already has all the answers you seek from OVO. Unfortunately, nothing more can be done at this time on OVO’s side. If you have questions for OVO about this, please post them here on the Forum so we can answer them for everyone at once - it’ll also reduce the load on OVO’s Support Team for other queries to get through faster.

    3. Explore Alternative Charging Options: While waiting for a resolution, you might want to look into other charging solutions compatible with your Ford Mach-E. Many EV owners use multiple apps or providers to ensure they always have a reliable charging option. Charge Anytime is also supported if you’ve got an Ohme, Hypervolt or Indra (and coming soon to Anderson) charger regardless of what EV you’ve got - check out this link for the details: https://www.ovoenergy.com/electric-cars/charge-anytime-cars-and-chargers

    4. Join Online Communities: EV forums or social media groups dedicated to Ford Mach-E owners can be a valuable resource. Other users might have faced similar issues and could share their experiences and solutions. I get the feeling those places won’t have the insights or access to resources that we have here on the OVO Forum. You’re welcome to try anyway of course, but be prepared to get redirected back here just in case - it may be faster to just ask here anyway

    Is anyone else in the community experiencing this issue or found a successful workaround? Any insights on plans for OVO Charge Anytime to support Ford cars would be greatly appreciated!

    Comments in the quote which are in bold italic are my responses

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      R
      Newcomer
      rossshepherd
      Newcomer
      July 8, 2024

      OVO had no choice but to totally shut it down. This is something Ford has forced them to do. 

      Ford have not forced Ovo to shut this down, this decision was taken by OVO.. OVO should keep the option open for existing customers already signed up

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 8, 2024

      Then why don’t you ask FordPass Support about who else they nuked? Trust me - it’s not just OVO.

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      R
      Newcomer
      rossshepherd
      Newcomer
      July 8, 2024

      Then why don’t you ask FordPass Support about who else they nuked? Trust me - it’s not just OVO.

      They haven't nuked anyone. Fords current position is that they are monitoring API activity with the Ford pass app (from any energy provider) and are temporarily suspending Ford accounts. There is no litigation regarding this. OVO could keep access for those that chose to keep the status quo. Ford are continuing to reopen accounts on request.. OVO should keep access for those of us who can deal with this

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 8, 2024

      As mentioned, it is not supported by Ford and must be disabled at this time.

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      R
      Newcomer
      rossshepherd
      Newcomer
      July 8, 2024

      There is no "must be disabled" element to this. Ford have not asked anyone to stop, in fact the API company (Enode) are still showing the API as "live and active" for all Ford models. Obviously it makes sense for OVO not to bring new customers in, however no reason to stop existing ones.. Just another poor decision by OVO and I blame OVO as much as I blame Ford.

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      July 8, 2024

      I won’t mention this again for now, however I will say it one more time.

      Just because the API exists doesn’t mean you can use it - and at this time Ford does NOT want Energy Suppliers using said API, hence the bans for “Suspicious Activity” if you try.

      OVO has always made it clear that for Charge Anytime to work with insert EV/Charger Vendor Here there must be the proper agreements in place (such as a contract and/or legal agreement to access the data) as well as the technical side like the integration code itself. If either of these are NOT in place, the integration cannot be released, or if it currently exists, must be disabled - especially if the other vendor requests and/or requires it.

      That’s what has happened here - Ford has required ALL Energy Suppliers to cease using FordPass APIs and OVO has to comply whether they want to or not. There is no grandfather rule here either - it’s all or nothing.

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
      Show more replies
      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

      OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

      OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd