Ford Gives the Mustang Mach-E a Bigger Boost
Ford surprised auto critics and consumers alike with the announcement of the Mustang Mach-E, an electric crossover SUV inspired by its legendary Mustang sports car. Many Ford fans initially called this adaptation of the Mustang blasphemous, but other fans have begun to come around. Now there’s a newer reason to be intrigued by the Mach-E; Ford recently announced that their engineers have been able to improve the electric vehicle’s fast-charging capability by about 30 percent.
The Mustang Mach-E can charge quicker than initially thought
Ford’s new revelation means that Mach-E rear-wheel-drive versions with a 98.8-kWh extended-range battery can get 61 miles of range on a DC faster charger in just 10 minutes. The carmaker previously estimated that the RWD versions would get up to 47 miles in that same period of time. The all-wheel-drive version can get up to 52 miles in 10 minutes with an extended-rage battery too.
“The all-new Mustang Mach-E can add an estimated average of 61 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes at an Electrify America DC fast charging station with the extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive1 – an improvement of approximately 14 miles or 30 percent versus previous estimates.”
Ford Media Center
How does this compare to other EVs?
For many carmakers entering the EV market, the goal is to be able to go head to head with Tesla. In fact, Tesla says that on its V3 Supercharger, a Model 3 vehicle, for example, can get up to 75 miles of range in only five minutes. Audi’s electric crossover, the E-Tron has a similar battery size to the Mach-E. The E-Tron takes 30 minutes to get 80 percent of its range and a total of 45 minutes to get a full charge.
Porsche’s Taycan Turbo S SUV can go from an 8 percent charge to 80 percent in about 20 minutes and get up to its full 60-mile range in four minutes with its fast-charging technology. Generally speaking, Ford is on the right path with its charging capabilities to be competitive in the EV market.
Ford’s other electric announcement
Ford also announced that the company is increasing the amount of charging stations in its network in partnership with Electrify America. The carmaker plans to add 1,000 charging stations. Currently, Ford has about 13,500 charging stations across the U.S. Ford claims that these stations will have about 40,000 plugs each.
With the FordPass app, customers can check their vehicle’s battery charge and find charging stations. Drivers can also use the FordPass app to remote unlock/lock their vehicles, get roadside assistance, as well as make payments.
The carmaker has also been working to make charging at home as easy as charging a phone. Ford also partnered with Amazon Home Services to install home charging stations. Customers can choose the Ford Connected Charge Station option or the 240-volt outlet, then schedule to have it professionally installed.
The carmaker has committed to investing $11billion in electric vehicles now through 2022 and is aiming to make electric vehicle ownership easier for customers.
