Ford Mustang Mach-E Gets Towing Capacity Boost In Europe

[roamtheworld]

Back in May, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-Ereceived a towing capacity boost in Europe, and models equipped with the extended range battery and either rear- or all-wheel drive were able to tow up to 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) – a change that was made via an over-the-air update. This was particularly notable because in the U.S., the Mach-E owner’s manual specifically states that it isn’t approved for towing trailers. Now, the European Ford Mustang Mach-E is once again getting a towing capacity boost, as well as some new tech in its latest update.
Mach-E rear- and all-wheel drive models equipped with the 91 kWh extended-range battery are now able to tow up to 1,500 kilograms (3,306 pounds), which is a significant boost over the previous rating.

https://fordauthority.com/2022/09/ford-mustang-mach-e-gets-new-tech-towing-capacity-boost-in-europe/

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[veronicablack]

I do wish my Mach E was rated for towing in the US and had a hitch already installed. That said, doesn't Europe also have more strict towing laws re: speed limits when towing a trailer and such? I wonder how big a role that's playing in the US MME not being rated for towing.

 

[roamtheworld]

It’s all about lawsuits in the US that is keeping us from getting a tow rating.
Plus the Lightning is still getting beat up over towing so Zero motivation for Ford to change.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I do wish my Mach E was rated for towing in the US and had a hitch already installed. That said, doesn't Europe also have more strict towing laws re: speed limits when towing a trailer and such? I wonder how big a role that's playing in the US MME not being rated for towing.

Yes, they can only tow at <62 MPH and have a max tongue weight of only 88 lbs.

 

[roamtheworld]

This has a nice overview of the rules in the UK. It matches much of Western Europe.
https://www.parkers.co.uk/company-cars/2013/towing/

 

[Logal727]

It’s all about lawsuits in the US that is keeping us from getting a tow rating.
Plus the Lightning is still getting beat up over towing so Zero motivation for Ford to change.

What’s the range like on a lightning towing?

 

[HuntingPudel]

What’s the range like on a lightning towing?

A couple of things I have read and saw video of indicated the range is <1/2 rated range on a warm day at sane freeway speeds. Think about Winter range reduction on top of that. Ouch. ??

 

[SWO]

I do wish my Mach E was rated for towing in the US and had a hitch already installed. That said, doesn't Europe also have more strict towing laws re: speed limits when towing a trailer and such? I wonder how big a role that's playing in the US MME not being rated for towing.

I imagine that is the reason. Ford is very risk averse so I'm sure they figured if they put towing anywhere in the specs someone would try to tow a 30ft camper up pikes peak. They're probably right, lol.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

I don't care about towing a trailer but a sanctioned tow hitch bike rack or cargo box would have been nice. To me, the Mach-E is styled as a weekend get away vehicle. A bike rack would be a welcome edition. And yes I know about 3rd party options including roof racks. The idea of having to remove my bike from the roof before pulling into my garage is not ideal (prima Donna me ?).

 

[Billyk24]

It wnt be lo g before some posts abput towing eith the mach e. My question is the installayoon of a trailer braking device on the mache. Makes towing easier. Have one one my 1700 ln rated Rav4 hybrid.

 

[roamtheworld]

A couple of things I have read and saw video of indicated the range is <1/2 rated range on a warm day at sane freeway speeds. Think about Winter range reduction on top of that. Ouch. ??

Just one posted example of range.

After entering the measurements of the trailer onto the system, the Lightning automatically recalculated the range to 54 mi (87 km). As for efficiency, he said that he's seeing 0.8 mi/kWh when the trailer's connected – around half of the usual 1.5-1.8 mi/kWh he's getting sans the Airstream camper.

https://www.motor1.com/news/590117/f150-lightning-range-towing-camper/

 

[RMoore]

I don't care about towing a trailer but a sanctioned tow hitch bike rack or cargo box would have been nice. To me, the Mach-E is styled as a weekend get away vehicle. A bike rack would be a welcome edition. And yes I know about 3rd party options including roof racks. The idea of having to remove my bike from the roof before pulling into my garage is not ideal (prima Donna me ?).

Fully agree with both points above. My friend did drive into his garage with bikes on the roof. Not a pretty sight. It's something I could easily do which is why I don't use roof racks anymore (and it's getting tougher with taller cars to lift the bikes that high). I haven't yet put on a hitch on the MME but likely will at some point.

 

[Guss-E 2021]

Fully agree with both points above. My friend did drive into his garage with bikes on the roof. Not a pretty sight. It's something I could easily do which is why I don't use roof racks anymore (and it's getting tougher with taller cars to lift the bikes that high). I haven't yet put on a hitch on the MME but likely will at some point.

There posts and photos in this forum about tailgate bikes racks. I'm still just to chicken to try an unofficial solution (my car is barely three months old). That, and the need for a rack is not even a weekly thing yet (haven't been riding but looking to get back into it).

I'll just continue to keep my eyes open about the issue.

 

[21st Century Pony]

I'm ordering a Mach E tow package from Europe via friends. The two item package is 1). Ford tow hitch + electric trailer connector, and 2). Ford plug & play towing module + wiring harness for trunk installation.

Although I understand the range penalty for my extended range MME, I plan to pull a small teardrop and on occasion, stay at rv parks, mitigating some of the charging issues on trailer trips.

Also, a Ford OEM tow hitch will completely solve the lack of a rear hookup point in case my MME needs to be pulled backwards someday, like, out of a driveway or out of a snowy ditch, while avoiding worries about aftermarket tow hitches which might not be as robustly reinforced at their frame attachment points.

The OEM Ford electric tow module is another positive point... per another thread, it can be activated via FDRS.

Ford Europe web pages list these tow package items, although Ford Europe will deliver only within Europe... hence my use of a cooperative friend for after-purchase shipping

 

[21st Century Pony]

Back in May, the 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-Ereceived a towing capacity boost in Europe, and models equipped with the extended range battery and either rear- or all-wheel drive were able to tow up to 1,000 kilograms (2,204 pounds) – a change that was made via an over-the-air update. This was particularly notable because in the U.S., the Mach-E owner’s manual specifically states that it isn’t approved for towing trailers. Now, the European Ford Mustang Mach-E is once again getting a towing capacity boost, as well as some new tech in its latest update.
Mach-E rear- and all-wheel drive models equipped with the 91 kWh extended-range battery are now able to tow up to 1,500 kilograms (3,306 pounds), which is a significant boost over the previous rating.

https://fordauthority.com/2022/09/ford-mustang-mach-e-gets-new-tech-towing-capacity-boost-in-europe/

Thank you for posting this.

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