After 8 months of research, I’m in a Mach-E!! My Initial questions

[Doobster6]

…and I couldn’t be happier. It’s only been 9 days, but I’m thrilled. And I know I didn’t pick the car that was best at anything, but in aggregate it’s the most satisfying. I researched and drove all manner of PHEV and EV including all the favorite and obvious choices, and the end leased a 2024 Premium with extended battery in Vapor Blue with the light grey interior. In my ICE-age past I tended to drive BMWs and Audis, with the odd CTS-V thrown in to mix things up, so I know cars that perform and drive well. So when I say that the Mach-E is a car that checks all the right boxes for me, it’s a meaningful statement. But hey, I’m preaching to the choir now aren’t I?
Let me instead ask (re-ask?) questions that likely have been addressed elsewhere in this forum but that didn’t pop out easily in my searching.

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices? The vast majority of what i read in forums sound like opinions, perhaps opinions informed by experience, but opinions none the less. Many of these opinions however are contradicted by equally well asserted opinions. For example, is it better to do daily charging adding only a 10% top-up (not exceeding 80% of course), or one weekly charge of 70%? This subject is a famously confused issue with opposing opinions scattered all over the interweb.

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary? Once again, opinions move in opposing directions and each claim that ‘…it really makes no significant difference’. Being a retired manufacturing executive/enghineering manager, I like to see actual data, and perhaps results proven through scientific repetition. But what I’ve found that has the look and feel of science has so far not taken a firm position on these topics.

Finally, being a new driver, I see a little app box on my screen that purports to show me in realtime my miles-per-kilometer. I have been thrilled to see that using ‘whisper’ mode (which is more than satisfactory in an EV with 365 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque) and a shall I say, ‘sedate’ driving style (but I’m not holding up traffic either!), that this little ‘this trip’ box has been reporting 4.4+ miles/Kwh in a car model not reputed to be so efficient. Should I believe it?

Anyway, I’m thrilled with the car and happy to be part of this forum’s family. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses!

BTW, one more Easter egg that accompanied my Mach-E decision……car insurance!! I replaced an 8 model-year old car with a brand new Mach-E and my overall annual insurance premium only went up by $109. When I had my agent pre-quote a Tesla model 3/Y it would have gone up by $1,300 annually!

Sponsored

 

[Tampamike]

Welcome. Hope you continue to love it.

As far as charging goes, … I feel strongly both ways . Honestly, I don’t think it matters - but there’s plenty of others that do. If you find some good sciency stuff about the battery life and care, post it here and I’m sure it will generate lots of comments.

Driving around town, only and in whisper mode, only, will deliver excellent efficiency. That being said, you really need to drive it in unbridled. It’s way, way better. Try one pedal drive as well. It only takes about one or two drives to get used to and then you’ll probably keep it on.

 

[VaporTrails]

Welcome to the group! Excellent choice in color! ?

1. No scientifically validated number. (But a lot of really good opinions from educated people who are Engineers in their day job.). To get a scientific validated number you need about 10 years and many cars with 100k miles to get a large enough sample set. The oldest Teslas are just now building a big enough sample set to form good conclusions. The manual says 90%. I charge to 85% and it seems to make me happy.

2. Ain’t got no time for that here in the Deep South. I plug in once a week and charge at night. If you park outside in the cold PA winter, you might plug it in every day when it is freezing so it preconditions with remote start from 220V grid power.

 

[rreddy3]

…and I couldn’t be happier. It’s only been 9 days, but I’m thrilled. And I know I didn’t pick the car that was best at anything, but in aggregate it’s the most satisfying. I researched and drove all manner of PHEV and EV including all the favorite and obvious choices, and the end leased a 2024 Premium with extended battery in Vapor Blue with the light grey interior. In my ICE-age past I tended to drive BMWs and Audis, with the odd CTS-V thrown in to mix things up, so I know cars that perform and drive well. So when I say that the Mach-E is a car that checks all the right boxes for me, it’s a meaningful statement. But hey, I’m preaching to the choir now aren’t I?
Let me instead ask (re-ask?) questions that likely have been addressed elsewhere in this forum but that didn’t pop out easily in my searching.

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices? The vast majority of what i read in forums sound like opinions, perhaps opinions informed by experience, but opinions none the less. Many of these opinions however are contradicted by equally well asserted opinions. For example, is it better to do daily charging adding only a 10% top-up (not exceeding 80% of course), or one weekly charge of 70%? This subject is a famously confused issue with opposing opinions scattered all over the interweb.

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary? Once again, opinions move in opposing directions and each claim that ‘…it really makes no significant difference’. Being a retired manufacturing executive/enghineering manager, I like to see actual data, and perhaps results proven through scientific repetition. But what I’ve found that has the look and feel of science has so far not taken a firm position on these topics.

Finally, being a new driver, I see a little app box on my screen that purports to show me in realtime my miles-per-kilometer. I have been thrilled to see that using ‘whisper’ mode (which is more than satisfactory in an EV with 365 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque) and a shall I say, ‘sedate’ driving style (but I’m not holding up traffic either!), that this little ‘this trip’ box has been reporting 4.4+ miles/Kwh in a car model not reputed to be so efficient. Should I believe it?

Anyway, I’m thrilled with the car and happy to be part of this forum’s family. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses!

I routinely see 4+ m/kwh in the This Trip app in the usual around the 'burbs driving in my '23 Premium 4 X. I can assure you, however, that when you tip into the throttle and sample the instant torque and acceleration and or get out on the interstate that 4+ will be a distant memory. Then you'll see figures in the upper 2s, low 3s. That's in relatively flat to rolling land, northern Virginia east of the Blue Ridge.

I'm not sure that's actually a real time read out. I have an impression, possibly incorrect, that it's more in the nature of a rolling average snapshot in time, as opposed to a real-time reading if we define real-time to mean instantaneous. I seem to recall Rick Mach E has discussed this in one or more posts, but I don't quite recall his exact answer.

Have fun with the car. I think it's a hoot, love it.

 

[Doobster6]

Welcome. Hope you continue to love it.

As far as charging goes, … I feel strongly both ways . Honestly, I don’t think it matters - but there’s plenty of others that do. If you find some good sciency stuff about the battery life and care, post it here and I’m sure it will generate lots of comments.

Driving around town, only and in whisper mode, only, will deliver excellent efficiency. That being said, you really need to drive it in unbridled. It’s way, way better. Try one pedal drive as well. It only takes about one or two drives to get used to and then you’ll probably keep it on.

Oh, I’ve been using one-pedal since day one; LOVE IT! It makes my wife nervous that I’m almost never touching the brake pedal, lol! I will absolutely graduate to engage or unbridled after I establish an efficiency baseline. Compared to the 18.6 mpg I was getting in my thirsty Infiniti, 4.4 m/Kw translates to 111.3 MPGe! Actually, when driving in the neighborhood or to local grocery store, Target, etc. I’m seeing 6.8 m/Kw on that little box. The 4.4 I’m citing encapsulates about 10% of that and 90% of 40-50 mph driving.

 

[rreddy3]

BTW, drive mode doesn’t matter. What does matter is how quickly your right foot stomps and how heavy it is?

 

[Doobster6]

I routinely see 4+ m/kwh in the This Trip app in the usual around the 'burbs driving in my '23 Premium 4 X. I can assure you, however, that when you tip into the throttle and sample the instant torque and acceleration and or get out on the interstate that 4+ will be a distant memory. Then you'll see figures in the upper 2s, low 3s. That's in relatively flat to rolling land, northern Virginia east of the Blue Ridge.

I'm not sure that's actually a real time read out. I have an impression, possibly incorrect, that it's more in the nature of a rolling average snapshot in time, as opposed to a real-time reading if we define real-time to mean instantaneous. I seem to recall Rick Mach E has discussed this in one or more posts, but I don't quite recall his exact answer.

Have fun with the car. I think it's a hoot, love it.

I agree that it’s a rolling average for that trip.

 

[dtbaker61]

…and I couldn’t be happier. It’s only been 9 days, but I’m thrilled.

great!

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices?

Lithium-ion, and LFP, batteries like to be anywhere between 20%-80% capacity the best, and prefer light-moderate current both output and charging.... for the longest life with least degradation in capacity.

Li doesn't mind being charged to 100%, and in fact it is suggested to charge to 100% 'once in a while' to enable internal top-balancing and calibration of the BMS system. It is best to charge to 100% at a 'slow' rate like L2 charging at home because low current at the end of charge is easier on the BMS. Typically, you might charge to 100% before a trip, or maybe once a month.

DCFC fast charging generally should be used to charge up to 80%, and while you *can* run your SOC down to 0%, it is harder on the batteries and will reduce long term life. You *should* plan trip distances between DCFC charge stations to keep 20%<SOC<80% when possible... and charge to 100% only when you are charging at L1 or L2.

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary?

if you have charge sessions programmed to stop at 80%, then it does not matter. If you really want numbers for cycle life versus average depth of discharge, and max charge, you will have to look up white papers on Li .... What I've written so far is MY (somewhat) expert opinion summary from working with EVs and Li batteries since 2008.

Finally, being a new driver, I see a little app box on my screen that purports to show me in realtime my miles-per-kilometer.

we call that the 'Guess-o-Meter' (GOM).... it is only marginally useful or accurate in predicting remaining range; it will change over time with your actual driving history, but it is not a 'rolling average' and doesn't 'adjust' to changing weather, elevation, or trip conditions very well which is a little frustrating on long one-way trips that may be far different than your usual drives around town.

If you really want to see what's going on under the covers, plug in a ODB2 reader, and download the CarScanner app to your phone.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...r-output-regen-charging-and-other-data.33211/

 

[Ford Motor Company]

…and I couldn’t be happier. It’s only been 9 days, but I’m thrilled. And I know I didn’t pick the car that was best at anything, but in aggregate it’s the most satisfying. I researched and drove all manner of PHEV and EV including all the favorite and obvious choices, and the end leased a 2024 Premium with extended battery in Vapor Blue with the light grey interior. In my ICE-age past I tended to drive BMWs and Audis, with the odd CTS-V thrown in to mix things up, so I know cars that perform and drive well. So when I say that the Mach-E is a car that checks all the right boxes for me, it’s a meaningful statement. But hey, I’m preaching to the choir now aren’t I?
Let me instead ask (re-ask?) questions that likely have been addressed elsewhere in this forum but that didn’t pop out easily in my searching.

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices? The vast majority of what i read in forums sound like opinions, perhaps opinions informed by experience, but opinions none the less. Many of these opinions however are contradicted by equally well asserted opinions. For example, is it better to do daily charging adding only a 10% top-up (not exceeding 80% of course), or one weekly charge of 70%? This subject is a famously confused issue with opposing opinions scattered all over the interweb.

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary? Once again, opinions move in opposing directions and each claim that ‘…it really makes no significant difference’. Being a retired manufacturing executive/enghineering manager, I like to see actual data, and perhaps results proven through scientific repetition. But what I’ve found that has the look and feel of science has so far not taken a firm position on these topics.

Finally, being a new driver, I see a little app box on my screen that purports to show me in realtime my miles-per-kilometer. I have been thrilled to see that using ‘whisper’ mode (which is more than satisfactory in an EV with 365 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque) and a shall I say, ‘sedate’ driving style (but I’m not holding up traffic either!), that this little ‘this trip’ box has been reporting 4.4+ miles/Kwh in a car model not reputed to be so efficient. Should I believe it?

Anyway, I’m thrilled with the car and happy to be part of this forum’s family. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses!

Congrats on your new Mach-E! We'd love to see some pictures. If you'd ever like to learn more about your Mach-E's settings and features, we'd be more than happy to help with scheduling a one-on-one guided virtual tour. Feel free to send us a DM if you're interested in that!

 

[shutterbug]

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices? The vast majority of what i read in forums sound like opinions, perhaps opinions informed by experience, but opinions none the less. Many of these opinions however are contradicted by equally well asserted opinions. For example, is it better to do daily charging adding only a 10% top-up (not exceeding 80% of course), or one weekly charge of 70%? This subject is a famously confused issue with opposing opinions scattered all over the interweb.

Short charging sessions are better for long term battery health. So I'm firmly in the daily charging camp. Remember that this is not a gas vehicle You don't need to go to a gas station to "fill it up"

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary? Once again, opinions move in opposing directions and each claim that ‘…it really makes no significant difference’. Being a retired manufacturing executive/enghineering manager, I like to see actual data, and perhaps results proven through scientific repetition. But what I’ve found that has the look and feel of science has so far not taken a firm position on these topics.

It really makes no difference, since when the car is not charging, it really not doing anything to the battery. However, as a matter of convenience, it is better to keep it plugged in when the car is at home. If you have an unanticipated longer trip, you can just start charging from the app, instead of having to run down to the car to plug it in. It also gets you into a routine of plugging in whenever You arrive home.

 

[rreddy3]

great!



Lithium-ion, and LFP, batteries like to be anywhere between 20%-80% capacity the best, and prefer light-moderate current both output and charging.... for the longest life with least degradation in capacity.

Li doesn't mind being charged to 100%, and in fact it is suggested to charge to 100% 'once in a while' to enable internal top-balancing and calibration of the BMS system. It is best to charge to 100% at a 'slow' rate like L2 charging at home because low current at the end of charge is easier on the BMS. Typically, you might charge to 100% before a trip, or maybe once a month.

DCFC fast charging generally should be used to charge up to 80%, and while you *can* run your SOC down to 0%, it is harder on the batteries and will reduce long term life. You *should* plan trip distances between DCFC charge stations to keep 20%<SOC<80% when possible... and charge to 100% only when you are charging at L1 or L2.


if you have charge sessions programmed to stop at 80%, then it does not matter. If you really want numbers for cycle life versus average depth of discharge, and max charge, you will have to look up white papers on Li .... What I've written so far is MY (somewhat) expert opinion summary from working with EVs and Li batteries since 2008.


we call that the 'Guess-o-Meter' (GOM).... it is only marginally useful or accurate in predicting remaining range; it will change over time with your actual driving history, but it is not a 'rolling average' and doesn't 'adjust' to changing weather, elevation, or trip conditions very well which is a little frustrating on long one-way trips that may be far different than your usual drives around town.

If you really want to see what's going on under the covers, plug in a ODB2 reader, and download the CarScanner app to your phone.

https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...r-output-regen-charging-and-other-data.33211/

The GOM ia the estimated range appearing on the left side of the instrument panel, isn’t it? I thought OP was referring to the app on the center screen which I think is named “This Trip”. That app’s readout of miles/kwh does regularly update and change significantly depending on speed, grade, etc in my experience.

I normally keep my extended range model’s SOC between 60-80% and charge as needed on my L2 at home.

 

[dtbaker61]

The GOM ia the estimated range appearing on the left side of the instrument panel, isn’t it? I thought OP was referring to the app on the center screen which I think is named “This Trip”. That app’s readout of miles/kwh does regularly update and change significantly depending on speed, grade, etc in my experience.

I normally keep my extended range model’s SOC between 60-80% and charge as needed on my L2 at home.

I think the OP referred to both.

The GOM of the left is only marginally useful to predict remaining range.

The Trip 1, Trip 2, and This Trip are actual averages since 'last reset' which can be useful, but only accurate when combined with actual kwhr remaining, which you can only see via ODB2 and CarScanner

 

[1st_EV_2011]

…and I couldn’t be happier. It’s only been 9 days, but I’m thrilled. And I know I didn’t pick the car that was best at anything, but in aggregate it’s the most satisfying. I researched and drove all manner of PHEV and EV including all the favorite and obvious choices, and the end leased a 2024 Premium with extended battery in Vapor Blue with the light grey interior. In my ICE-age past I tended to drive BMWs and Audis, with the odd CTS-V thrown in to mix things up, so I know cars that perform and drive well. So when I say that the Mach-E is a car that checks all the right boxes for me, it’s a meaningful statement. But hey, I’m preaching to the choir now aren’t I?
Let me instead ask (re-ask?) questions that likely have been addressed elsewhere in this forum but that didn’t pop out easily in my searching.

1) Has anyone stumbled upon scientifically validated recommendations for best charging practices? The vast majority of what i read in forums sound like opinions, perhaps opinions informed by experience, but opinions none the less. Many of these opinions however are contradicted by equally well asserted opinions. For example, is it better to do daily charging adding only a 10% top-up (not exceeding 80% of course), or one weekly charge of 70%? This subject is a famously confused issue with opposing opinions scattered all over the interweb.

2) Is it better to keep the car plugged in at all times, or just when necessary? Once again, opinions move in opposing directions and each claim that ‘…it really makes no significant difference’. Being a retired manufacturing executive/enghineering manager, I like to see actual data, and perhaps results proven through scientific repetition. But what I’ve found that has the look and feel of science has so far not taken a firm position on these topics.

Finally, being a new driver, I see a little app box on my screen that purports to show me in realtime my miles-per-kilometer. I have been thrilled to see that using ‘whisper’ mode (which is more than satisfactory in an EV with 365 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque) and a shall I say, ‘sedate’ driving style (but I’m not holding up traffic either!), that this little ‘this trip’ box has been reporting 4.4+ miles/Kwh in a car model not reputed to be so efficient. Should I believe it?

Anyway, I’m thrilled with the car and happy to be part of this forum’s family. Thanks in advance for any helpful responses!

Welcome! We are glad you are here.

Regarding question 2, I have a Ford Connected Charge Station connected to a dedicated, electric utility installed meter separate from my house's meter. In order to reduce the risk of lightning or power surge damage, I keep the Mach-E unplugged except when I want to charge it.

I love the Ford Connected Charge Station (https://chargers.ford.com/ford-connected-charge-station), and remain pleased that I chose it.

 

[ipca204]

MY two cents if I was leasing the car on "charging practices". Who cares? It's a LEASE!

 

[GreaseMonkey]

MY two cents if I was leasing the car on "charging practices". Who cares? It's a LEASE!

I bought it and still think “who cares!” It’s fords problem

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