Ford is throwing in a free EV home charger and installation with select models

Ford is looking to outsource EV charging by offering a free home charger. The automaker will even send a technician to install it for you for free if you buy or lease a Mustang Mach-E, F-150 Lightning or E-Transit between October 1 and January 2. However, Ford may choose to extend it. the plan if successful. (Customers of Ford Pro vehicles will receive commercial charging compensation instead.)

According to Joanna Stern of the The Wall Street Journalthose who accept this offer will receive a Level 2 charger at home. This should save Ford EV buyers and lessors a good deal of money, as the Ford Charge Station Pro costs $1,310 and the company typically charges $2,000 to install it. The charger comes with 80 feet of cable run and delivers up to 60 amps of power, solid notes. However, those looking to make a deal may need to make sure their garage is properly wired to take full advantage of Level 2 charging.

The EV side of Ford’s business has been struggling of late – the company expects the division to lose as much as $5.5 billion this year. In January, it cut production of the F-150 Lightning due to lower-than-expected demand and shifted resources to make more Broncos and Rangers. A few months later, the company delayed other EV models, including a planned three-row SUV, and focused more on hybrids. But in August, the automaker killed the three-row SUV project altogether while delaying other EVs.

Incentivizing EV purchases and leases with a free home charger and installation is smart and could pay off for Ford. However, it may turn out to be a Band-Aid for the category’s deeper problems.