fallguy
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- fallguy
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2021
- Threads
- 11
- Messages
- 213
- Reaction score
- 320
- Location
- The south
- Vehicles
- 2020 Defender, 1968 Mustang, 2021 Mach-E GT
- Occupation
- Federal
- Thread starter
- #1
I started a thread about a month ago to get thoughts on taking this Mach-E on a road trip. I had never driven an EV before buying this, and was hesitant. Through some suggestions and research decided to take the plunge and go with it. I am very happy we did, it was a great experience.
From east TN to Wrightsville Beach, NC and back was a little over 1,000 miles, plus a bit of driving around when there. Plotting the course was actually pretty easy, with the built in navigation. It locates the stops, and gives a nice circular boundary on how far you can drive before your mileage is out. There were 3 routes posted there and back. They were mostly the same with a few small variations.
I had the supplied 500kwh from Ford, and still have about 200 left. I have attached some pics to reflect the starting amount, when arrived, and then after we got home. Took about 150 to get there. One HUGE important part that I wish someone would have advised me on, is do some research where the stops are. They were all Walmart or Sam's. Which was almost always great. Each way had two Super Walmarts and one Sam's. One the way down there we stopped at Sam's, there were a few stores attached, and some places to eat. On the way back we chose a slightly faster routes, with a toll road. The Sam's on the way back had NOTHING around it. We do not have a Sam's membership. We hoofed it .6 miles to a restaurant in a hotel that claimed to be open. Well it was not, opened at 4pm and it was 315. Walked back and the car was done, went to a drve thru. 4 year old pissed behind a building. He had to go, we were hungry and thirsty. There was nothing there for us. Very annoying, and I blame myself for assuming there would be some place to get food and drinks. I wish they would look at places when they put the chargers in place, when the vehicle is recharging, people need to as well.
Going thru the mountains with a full car and 4 people (took father in law too) going towards Asheville with the mountains, destroyed the battery. I planned for it though and we made it, but keep in mind mileage will drop depending on elevation and weight. This is obvious, and same for gas vehicles, but there was a stretch where there was literally no place to charge for a very long way. We never got lower than 11% so all was good, but worth noting.
EA charging was a breeze. Plug it up, touch the screen twice and walk off. Starts charging is about 30 seconds. Come back and hit stop, disconnect and on the way. This was very easy, and really couldn't have been any easier. The chargers were easy to see in the parking lot, and the navigation took us right to them. I brought my supplied charger, and we used the 120v in the garage to charge it. Which brought me up from 31% when we arrived, to 74% when we left. Slow, but free. We did drive it a bit in town, but not much. The closest EA charger was 36 miles away, so I didn't want to waste time doing that. I do wish there was one closer to the beach, a very high tourist area, but there was not a Walmart around.
I hope this helps someone thinking about a road trip. I know for some, maybe even most it's old hat. My first EV car, and was a bit nervous. Sticking to main roads, was a great experience.
From east TN to Wrightsville Beach, NC and back was a little over 1,000 miles, plus a bit of driving around when there. Plotting the course was actually pretty easy, with the built in navigation. It locates the stops, and gives a nice circular boundary on how far you can drive before your mileage is out. There were 3 routes posted there and back. They were mostly the same with a few small variations.
I had the supplied 500kwh from Ford, and still have about 200 left. I have attached some pics to reflect the starting amount, when arrived, and then after we got home. Took about 150 to get there. One HUGE important part that I wish someone would have advised me on, is do some research where the stops are. They were all Walmart or Sam's. Which was almost always great. Each way had two Super Walmarts and one Sam's. One the way down there we stopped at Sam's, there were a few stores attached, and some places to eat. On the way back we chose a slightly faster routes, with a toll road. The Sam's on the way back had NOTHING around it. We do not have a Sam's membership. We hoofed it .6 miles to a restaurant in a hotel that claimed to be open. Well it was not, opened at 4pm and it was 315. Walked back and the car was done, went to a drve thru. 4 year old pissed behind a building. He had to go, we were hungry and thirsty. There was nothing there for us. Very annoying, and I blame myself for assuming there would be some place to get food and drinks. I wish they would look at places when they put the chargers in place, when the vehicle is recharging, people need to as well.
Going thru the mountains with a full car and 4 people (took father in law too) going towards Asheville with the mountains, destroyed the battery. I planned for it though and we made it, but keep in mind mileage will drop depending on elevation and weight. This is obvious, and same for gas vehicles, but there was a stretch where there was literally no place to charge for a very long way. We never got lower than 11% so all was good, but worth noting.
EA charging was a breeze. Plug it up, touch the screen twice and walk off. Starts charging is about 30 seconds. Come back and hit stop, disconnect and on the way. This was very easy, and really couldn't have been any easier. The chargers were easy to see in the parking lot, and the navigation took us right to them. I brought my supplied charger, and we used the 120v in the garage to charge it. Which brought me up from 31% when we arrived, to 74% when we left. Slow, but free. We did drive it a bit in town, but not much. The closest EA charger was 36 miles away, so I didn't want to waste time doing that. I do wish there was one closer to the beach, a very high tourist area, but there was not a Walmart around.
I hope this helps someone thinking about a road trip. I know for some, maybe even most it's old hat. My first EV car, and was a bit nervous. Sticking to main roads, was a great experience.