Ford has filed a patent for a road trip energy consumption optimization system designed to make long-distance travel more efficient for electric-vehicle drivers, according to documents identified by Ford Authority. The patent, filed on May 29, 2024, and published on December 4, 2025, outlines a software-driven approach to enhancing charging convenience during extended journeys.
The system would evaluate a driver’s destination, pre-condition the vehicle to improve range efficiency, and identify optimal charging stops along the route. It would also track charge levels and trip timing to prioritize charger availability and, where possible, off-peak hours when electricity is less expensive. The patent suggests the technology could even be applied to rental EVs, allowing vehicles to receive optimized route and charging plans before customers collect them.
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Ford has filed multiple patents in recent years exploring ways to streamline EV charging through intelligent routing and energy-management tools. The company noted that patent filings do not necessarily indicate product plans. “Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement.
“The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”
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The newly disclosed patent carries serial number 0369763 and fits into Ford Motor’s broader efforts to expand its intellectual-property portfolio as it develops next-generation EV technologies.