EV and Mach-e Myths and Fallacies

[Ford_orr]

The only credible "myth" left really is public charging. I read through a thread here recently where about half a dozen apps are in use to find a working public charger. Most people in the thread recommended using at least two to get different types of information. Ford decontenting their charging navigation protocols, the wildly variable charging rates from one charging service to another, adaptors for this type of connector or that type, and don't get me started on pre-conditioning. When this "myth" comes up in a conversation w/an ice owner, it's hard to debunk. You don't need an app or a special adaptor to go to a gas station and just fill up.

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[Tampamike]

The only credible "myth" left really is public charging. I read through a thread here recently where about half a dozen apps are in use to find a working public charger. Most people in the thread recommended using at least two to get different types of information. Ford decontenting their charging navigation protocols, the wildly variable charging rates from one charging service to another, adaptors for this type of connector or that type, and don't get me started on pre-conditioning. When this "myth" comes up in a conversation w/an ice owner, it's hard to debunk. You don't need an app or a special adaptor to go to a gas station and just fill up.

Buy a 2025 MME and you don’t need an app or an adaptor. You can use the vehicles’s nav and use a plethora of charging stations not requiring an adaptor. You could also buy one adaptor and have access to Tesla super chargers and still not need any app.
I tell people that it’s a whole lot easier than it was when I bought my first MME 4 years ago and it is literally getting better every day. In 2021 there was basically EA, ChargePoint and a handful of sketchy EVGo’s. Now, - MB, Pilot/Flying J, Tesla, Walmart, Ionna, Circle K, 7-Charge, GreenApple, EVConnect, Costco … It just ain’t that hard to find a charger these days And the reliability is rapidly improving too.

 

[NH_Pony_Boy]

I attended a social even last weekend. After people knew I had a Mach-e they began asking questions and offering opinions regarding EVs. I thought a thread regarding myths and fallacies would be interesting. Please offer your favorites. Here are some I heard.

One person said that a Ford salesperson told them not to buy a Mach-e or Lightning because the electric motor pollutes rubber particles into the environment. I had to restrain laughter.

Another offered that the batteries had to be replaced after three years. I told them that as batteries are used and more data is available the actual life will become better known. I expect my battery to last close to 20 years, and that battery chemistry and charging practices affect life.

Charging takes way too long, like hours to add sufficient charge just to travel longer distances. I gently corrected this view. They may have been thinking about L1 charging. I did explain L1 through L4 chargers and that L3 DCFC can charge 20% to 80% in 25-30 minutes, generally.

That the battery and motor manufacturing processes require excessive energy and pollute more than the benefits gained. I don't have sufficient information to compare the entire production cycle and pollution between fossil fuels and battery-electric but I did explain that as battery material recycling matures, this will reduce both lifecycle costs and pollution.

It is amazing to me all the bogus information about EVs in general.
They love to compare the emissions by using an electric grid that is reliant on coal.
They also seem to think gas just gets to their local station by magic. They don't seem to consider the environmental damage of getting it out of the ground, shipped by oil tanker, and refined.
How much energy is expended in pursuit of cheap Middle Eastern oil, US Navy ships at sea, aircraft sorties, etc.

 

[raijinmach]

My favorite myth/untruth is the "EV's batteries are ticking time bombs and will spontaneously ignite and meltdown like a nuclear reactor changing spacetime as we know it!!" (slight exaggeration).

I just wrote a post on the Lightning forum about how many ICE car fires I responded to during my firefighter career. Many literally started while they were parked with the ignition off. There are also many ICE fires that start while the car is being driven. There's just not a dis-information machine focusing on every ICE car fire like there is for EV's.

While I know that EVs are less likely to catch fire, but once they do, I've heard it is extremely difficult to put out. Is that true?

 

[Mach1E]

While I know that EVs are less likely to catch fire, but once they do, I've heard it is extremely difficult to put out. Is that true?

Yes.

Even the ocean can’t put it out!

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/the-ocean-can’t-put-a-battery-fire-out.30935/

Most of the things people are defending as “myths” are more like exaggerations though. Except this one. When they do catch fire it’s a major problem. And salt water? HUGE issue in Florida for hurricane flooding.

It’s not just BEVs though, multiple house fires here after the last hurricane from both Teslas and golf carts on the island.

 

[SonicBlue]

I attended a social even last weekend. After people knew I had a Mach-e they began asking questions and offering opinions regarding EVs. I thought a thread regarding myths and fallacies would be interesting. Please offer your favorites. Here are some I heard.

One person said that a Ford salesperson told them not to buy a Mach-e or Lightning because the electric motor pollutes rubber particles into the environment. I had to restrain laughter.

Another offered that the batteries had to be replaced after three years. I told them that as batteries are used and more data is available the actual life will become better known. I expect my battery to last close to 20 years, and that battery chemistry and charging practices affect life.

Charging takes way too long, like hours to add sufficient charge just to travel longer distances. I gently corrected this view. They may have been thinking about L1 charging. I did explain L1 through L4 chargers and that L3 DCFC can charge 20% to 80% in 25-30 minutes, generally.

That the battery and motor manufacturing processes require excessive energy and pollute more than the benefits gained. I don't have sufficient information to compare the entire production cycle and pollution between fossil fuels and battery-electric but I did explain that as battery material recycling matures, this will reduce both lifecycle costs and pollution.

Every single one of these “myths and fallacies” is at least partially true.

EVs are much heavier than comparably sized ICE vehicles so they wear through rubber tires faster.

The Mach E LVB does need to replaced every three years or so.

Charging does often take too long. You also don’t appear to know the difference between L1 and L2 and L3 charging. Even a crappy L3 can take hours.

And building/buying a new EV is worse for the environment than continuing to drive an existing ICE.

Sounds like you might have been pumping a little sunshine. Maybe educate yourself a little more before looking down your nose at others…

 

[Eagertrader]

I have a better range now after three years of use than when I bought it at the end of ‘21.

"Narrative chasing facts"
describes a situation where an existing narrative or story is used to interpret or explain facts, rather than letting the facts lead to the formation of a narrative. This can be problematic because it can lead to misinterpretations or the dismissal of valid information if it doesn't fit the predetermined narrative. “

 

[DarkHorseRunning]

But solar panels are well under 30% efficient at converting sunlight. Wind turbines are around 40%. That is just the physics of the devices, then count in the availability of sunlight and winds, oh, and transmission losses.

True, yet irrelevant. That energy is normally not harnessed at all without the PV or wind turbines, and whatever is harvested is done so without any emissions.
The efficiency only becomes relevant if you are planning to install the PVs or turbines yourself, and are trying to calculate your return on investment and break even point. Efficiency improvements continue year over year, and energy prices continue to climb, so even the ROI is pushing in the right direction.

 

[Schmedlack]

Here's what gemini (2.5 flash) ai just told me to the same question.

The high-voltage battery in a Ford Mustang Mach-E is designed to last a long time, with some estimates suggesting it can go well over 100,000 miles and potentially up to 200,000 miles or more before experiencing significant degradation. Some experts even project lifespans of 300,000-400,000 miles.
Ford backs this with a strong warranty: 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. This warranty guarantees that the battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity during the coverage period.
Factors that influence battery lifespan include:
* Driving habits: Aggressive driving can put more strain on the battery.
* Climate conditions: Extreme hot or cold temperatures can affect battery health.
* Charging routines: Limiting frequent DC fast charging and routinely charging to around 80-90% can help prolong battery life.
It's important to distinguish the high-voltage battery (which powers the vehicle) from the 12-volt accessory battery. The 12-volt battery, similar to those found in gasoline cars, typically lasts 3-5 years and is much cheaper and easier to replace. Some online discussions about "Mach-E battery life" that mention 3-5 years are likely referring to this 12-volt battery, not the main traction battery.

A very detailed answer, nice. Give me your opinion...... Which would you trust the most:

An AI generated answer, Consumer Reports, or the ever popular Magic 8 Ball device?

 

[DarkHorseRunning]

Buy a 2025 MME and you don’t need an app or an adaptor. You can use the vehicles’s nav and use a plethora of charging stations not requiring an adaptor. You could also buy one adaptor and have access to Tesla super chargers and still not need any app.
I tell people that it’s a whole lot easier than it was when I bought my first MME 4 years ago and it is literally getting better every day. In 2021 there was basically EA, ChargePoint and a handful of sketchy EVGo’s. Now, - MB, Pilot/Flying J, Tesla, Walmart, Ionna, Circle K, 7-Charge, GreenApple, EVConnect, Costco … It just ain’t that hard to find a charger these days And the reliability is rapidly improving too.

My wife and younger daughter recently did a 1600 mile road trip (800 each way) in our 2022 MME GTPE. Charging did add a lot of road time.

They usually looked to charge at 20-25% and charge up to 80%, which gave them about 150 miles between stops. Each charging session was between 30 and 35 minutes, which was about right to go hit the bathroom and get a cup of coffee and a snack, but it also meant they had to make twice as many stops. In our ICE hybrids, we normally stop every 300-350 miles.

Once she got to her destination, she charged up once at a FCDC, which gave her enough range for the week she was visiting, then topped off to 80% the night before returning.

She only had one event on the way back where a station wasn’t working, and they had to drop down to 15% to get to the next working station. Some stations are definitely better than others, but all the FCDCs averaged 32 minutes to add 60% on the battery. Tesla Superchargers worked awesome (if they had been upgraded for non-Tesla), and the one Bucc-ee’s she stopped at was fabulous. Sheetz was okay, and Circle-K was hit or miss.

Oddly, the hardest place she had trying to find a FCDC was in Northern Virginia (DC suburbs). All the charging stations in town were L2 — you had to go to a highway rest stop to find a FCDC.

 

[tminter4]

Grok's response was quite different: "The Ford Mustang Mach-E's high-voltage battery is designed to last a long time, with estimates suggesting 300,000 to 500,000 miles or roughly 10 to 20 years of use before significant capacity loss requires replacement, depending on driving habits, climate, and charging practices. Ford’s warranty covers the battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles, ensuring at least 70% of original capacity during that period. Studies, like one cited on Reddit, suggest lithium-ion batteries can degrade as little as 15% over 800,000 miles with frequent charging to 70%. However, a MachEforum post reported a 2021 Mach-E losing 40 miles of range in one year, though this may reflect weather or usage rather than true degradation. Factors like extreme temperatures, frequent fast charging, or running the battery to 0% can accelerate wear, but Ford’s thermal management and smart charging systems help mitigate this. Replacement costs are often cited at $10,000+, though exact figures vary. Always maintain the battery per Ford’s guidelines to maximize lifespan."

Here's what Chat GPT states about EV's

The lifespan of an electric vehicle (EV) depends on several factors, but here’s a general breakdown:


? Battery Lifespan

• Typical lifespan: 10–20 years or 100,000–300,000 miles.
• Most EV batteries retain 70–80% capacity after 8–10 years.
• Warranties often cover 8 years or 100,000 miles (U.S. federal minimum).

? Vehicle Lifespan

• Structurally and mechanically, EVs can last as long or longer than gas-powered cars: 15–20+ years with proper care.
• EVs have fewer moving parts, which reduces wear and maintenance needs (no oil changes, fewer brake replacements due to regenerative braking).

 

[B177y]

While I know that EVs are less likely to catch fire, but once they do, I've heard it is extremely difficult to put out. Is that true?

True. The battery basically supplies it's own oxygen once it starts burning, similar to a magnesium fire. If you hit it with water, it disassociates the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen and accelerates the fire dramatically. There's a video of an EV battery fire where the EV rolls into the water and it just keeps burning underwater.

Current firefighting strategy as I understand it (I've been out of the game for 13 years now) is to cover the EV with a large fire blanket to let it burn itself out without involving everything around it and protecting exposures with standard firefighting techniques (water). I have heard in Europe on ferries and tunnels that they shove the burning EV into a cargo container to let it burn in there and minimize spreading. It's easy to spray water onto the container to keep it cool while the EV burns.

 

[Teslaeata]

While I know that EVs are less likely to catch fire, but once they do, I've heard it is extremely difficult to put out. Is that true?

Not quite an unconditional yes, depends on the fire and if it reached the battery.

 

[bbulkow]

The fact that half the responses here are “I asked AI (an LLM) and here is what it says” just shows how screwed we are anyway.

LLMs can just make shit up all day, they don’t care. No better than your drunk uncle, in fact might be worse, deep down your drunk uncle might have a conscious.

Seems like llms are on par with humans at this moment. Some are pretty dumb some are pretty smart. Pick a smart one, get a pretty good answer.

Both make things up.

The only question is whether you attribute a reason, or caring, or not.

 

[Dana3502]

I repped for Chevy at the Iowa State Fair last August. People from rural Iowa were downright confrontational about EVs. Even though we had 7 ICE vehicles and only 2 EVs on display, some would ask, "Why are you trying to cram EVs down our throats?" The main complaint was that there are no chargers where they live. Too bad I didn't buy my Mach-E until December. I could have shown them the apps for finding them (while trying to keep the tone of let me help you out instead of let me prove you wrong). We did get some training on the Blazer, but none on the Equinox. I feel like Chevy did a disservice to all EVs by not putting experts out there with the EVs they were trying to promote.

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