Ford's Mustang Mach-E and Maverick Vehicles Offer Fuel-Efficiency: 14 Cents per Mile for Mustang Mach-E, 10 Cents for Maverick, Favorable Option for Upcoming Trips
In the world of electric vehicles (EVs), the Ford Mustang Mach-E has been making waves, offering a thrilling driving experience and impressive range. However, as Ryan Outcalt discovered on his recent road trip, the journey is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to charging infrastructure.
Recently, some Mach-E units with extended-range or GT battery packs have been recalled due to overheating high-voltage contactors. This issue, while concerning, does not seem to have marred the overall performance of the vehicle for most users.
During his trip, Ryan encountered issues with charging stations found through the Ford Pass app, as neither worked. However, he found solace in Tesla superchargers, which functioned perfectly, offering fast, reliable charging. This experience highlights the disparities in the current EV charging landscape, with some providers offering seamless experiences while others fall short.
The ride and handling of the Mach-E were enjoyable, with one-pedal driving in the mountains being a particular joy. Ryan averaged 3.7 for the whole trip's efficiency, which, while not optimal, is respectable for an EV. Charging at a rate of 1 kWh per hour, the Mach-E can add roughly 25 miles (≈40 km) of range, making it a viable option for short to medium-distance trips.
However, for longer journeys, the current state of EV charging infrastructure in the U.S. poses challenges. As of early 2025, there are approximately 203,617 publicly available EV charging outlets, serving about 6.2 million EVs on the road. This creates a ratio of roughly 30 EVs per public charging port, a figure that is likely to worsen as EV adoption continues to grow.
In Q1 2025, EV registrations increased by 6%, while public chargers rose only 5%. The addition of 8,850 new public chargers was dwarfed by the 374,841 new EVs registered in the same period, a ratio of 42 new EVs for every new public charger. To meet future needs, more than 1 million additional public chargers are estimated to be required by 2030.
This geographic disparity in charger availability is particularly evident in rural areas. Urban and populous states like California and New York have the largest number of stations overall, but states like North Dakota and Wyoming have the highest chargers per 1,000 registered EVs, driven by lower EV adoption.
The scarcity of fast chargers in rural and less densely populated areas makes long-distance EV travel more challenging, as drivers must plan carefully to ensure access to charging. The relatively low density of rapid DC fast chargers outside urban corridors can lead to longer wait times and less convenience compared to refueling a conventional gasoline vehicle.
However, continued expansion of charger networks, including DC fast chargers, aims to support longer trips in the future. The pace of charger installations will need to accelerate substantially to meet demand and alleviate range anxiety.
In conclusion, while the charging infrastructure for EVs in the U.S. has grown substantially and continues to improve, it still lags behind EV adoption, especially in rural areas. This gap impacts the convenience and practicality of road trips, requiring more planning and potentially longer travel times for EV drivers today. Significant investment and buildout of public charging infrastructure, particularly fast chargers along highways and rural regions, are critical to fully enabling seamless EV road travel in the near future.
Ryan's experience underscores the need for improvements in EV charging infrastructure. His next mountain trip will be in a Ford Maverick due to the slow, inconvenient, and expensive charging on the highway. As the EV landscape continues to evolve, it is hoped that charging infrastructure will catch up, making long-distance travel in EVs a more viable and enjoyable option for all.
[1] U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. (2023). Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. Retrieved from https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_charging_infrastructure.html [2] U.S. Department of Energy, Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure. (2023). Fast Charging. Retrieved from https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/fast-charging.html [3] U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center. (2023). Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. Retrieved from https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_stations.html
- In response to the slow and inconvenient charging experienced during his trip, Ryan plans to opt for a traditional car like the Ford Maverick for his next mountain adventure.
- As EV adoption grows and more electric vehicles like the Ford Mustang Mach-E hit the road, the demand for improved EV charging infrastructure, particularly fast chargers, becomes increasingly critical, particularly in rural and less densely populated areas.
- The expansion of charging networks, encompassing DC fast chargers, aims to support longer trips, alleviate range anxiety, and facilitate a seamless EV road travel experience in the near future, making electric vehicles a more viable and enjoyable option for long-distance travels.
