Ford, one of the big three American automakers, has gone electric this year. In 2021 the Blue Oval announced its first electric F-150 pickup and successfully launched its first fully electric SUV: the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E. Ford may have the attention of electric vehicle enthusiasts, but what about OG Ford fans? How will Ford get its loyal customers to embrace electric vehicles after producing gas-powered vehicles for decades?

Can electric vehicles be “Built Ford Tough” like the legendary F-150 pickup?

Ford Motor Company is one of the most historic automakers in the entire automobile industry. The Blue Oval is a pioneer and has earned its place as part of the big three American automakers alongside Fiat Chrysler and General Motors.

Ford has gained the loyalty of millions of consumers in America, producing muscle cars and trucks that provide best-in-class driving experiences and quality. The company’s “Built Ford Tough” slogan has rung true for decades, with vehicles like the Ford F-150 pickup becoming the most popular work truck in America in recent years.

Electric vehicles are still new to the automotive industry, and the stigma about the new vehicle class is that they are underpowered and lack practicality. Ford has turned that stigma on its head with the powerful Ford Mustang Mach-E. Still, some consumers wonder whether electric vehicles can truly be “Built Ford Tough” or not.

Once a Mustang, always a Mustang

The announcement of the Ford Mustang Mach-E was met with skepticism and dismay by some Ford fans. How could the Blue Oval electrify a muscle car nameplate that is so deeply rooted in its history? Ford took a gamble on electrifying the Mustang nameplate, and sales and reviews prove that its gamble has paid off.

The Ford Mustang Mach-E may be an electric SUV instead of the typical gas-powered muscle car, but ultimately, it’s still a Mustang. Ford proved this by allowing a 101-year-old Ford fan to try the Mach-E for himself.

Harold Bagott is an Englishman who learned to drive using the Ford Model T. He has purchased multiple Ford vehicles throughout his lifetime and strongly encourages family members to purchase Ford vehicles as well. Ford gave Harold the opportunity to drive the new Mustang Mach-E because he was a lifelong fan. The only condition was that he gave his honest opinion on the vehicle after his ride.

Harold marveled at how quiet the Ford Mustang Mach-E was. The elderly gentleman was excited that the younger members of his family would get to experience the future of Ford. Harold has witnessed generations of Ford vehicles, and he concluded that a Mustang is still a Mustang, even if it uses an electric powertrain.

Nevermind the exterior, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E still has muscle car power

Ford debuted the Ford F-100 Eluminator concept truck at SEMA 2021. The Eluminator has the body of a heritage 1978 Ford F-100 and the heart of a 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition.

The truck may look old school, but it makes a whopping 480 horsepower using the electric powertrain and motors that it shares with the Mach-E. Ford unveiled its Eluminator electric crate motor as one of the integral parts of the F-100 Eluminator build. The Eluminator electric crate motor itself makes 281 horsepower. According to Road Show by CNET, the electric crate motor has sold out after being available for just a few days.

Ford has shown fans that its new generation of electric vehicles is just as exciting as previous generations. It proved that EVs can be exciting performance vehicles at SEMA 2021. Getting OG Blue Oval fans to embrace EVs is getting easier by the day as Ford fans worldwide witness the capability of Ford’s electric mustang.