Ford published the results of a comprehensive analysis of battery health data from approximately 36,000 2021 model-year Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles in the US and Canadian markets, shedding light on battery degradation rates with long-term road use.
The data showed that vehicles that averaged 55,000 miles over 5.2 years retained 92% of their usable battery capacity. This indicates that higher-range versions, which have an official EPA-estimated range of 305 miles, theoretically retain nearly 280 miles of current range. All batteries in this sample rely on nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) chemistry, as Ford did not begin introducing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for this model until 2023.
Impact of Long Distances and Operating Conditions
Kevin Vander Laan, Ford's technical leader for high-voltage battery cells and systems, confirmed that actual road performance reports are consistent and promising compared to previous laboratory expectations and computer simulation models. The company noted that doubling the mileage did not materially affect battery efficiency, as data for more than 2,000 vehicles exceeding 100,000 miles showed they retained more than 91% of their battery capacity.
As for drivers who drove about 40,000 miles annually, bringing the total mileage for some vehicles to over 200,000 miles, the batteries recorded a health rate of 88%. However, the results indicate that usage variation plays an important role; vehicles operating in very hot climates or relying constantly on DC fast charging from 0% to 100% experience relatively faster wear compared to vehicles that maintain the recommended charging range between 20% and 80%.
What This Means for Users
These findings align with other studies in the modern electric vehicle sector, which has moved past the rapid degradation issues that plagued the first generation of these technologies. Ford recommends that car owners follow preventive practices to extend battery life, including parking in the shade on hot days, pre-conditioning the cabin while the vehicle is plugged in, and relying primarily on home charging or Level 2 chargers while using fast charging with caution.
Ford's engineering teams are utilizing this live data to develop the next generation of electric vehicles, including the anticipated F-150 Lightning truck, to ensure higher sustainability and efficiency for energy storage systems.