Ford Ecostar EV vs Mustang Mach-E

ARK

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Came across a fascinating old article on the Car & Driver website today about the 1994 Ford Ecostar EV. Had no idea this vehicle existed. Article: Tested: 1994 Ford Ecostar Cargo Van Makes a Case for EVs.

100+ miles of range on a 332-volt sodium-sulfur battery. Constant internal battery temperature of 600 degrees Fahrenheit required, even when parked. 70mph top speed. 0-60 in 25 seconds. Solar powered fan for cabin conditioning when the Ecostar was parked. L2 charging with an included Ford charging station. This was a legit EV.

Interestingly, apparently in 1994 it would have been cheaper to operate a car on gas. C&D estimates about $6.00 to drive 100 miles on electricity with the Ecostar but $3.25 to drive 100 miles on a Honda Civic VX using gas.

A 30 month lease was $100,000, which compares very poorly with the Mach-E, especially considering those were 1994 dollars. However, Ecostar lessees did get the included Ford charging station so there is that. At least our Mach-Es can accelerate quite a bit faster.

Article also mentions a California mandate where 2% of all vehicles sold by 1998 had to have been emissions free. Guess that must have been repealed at some point. Wonder where the industry would be today if that was kept in place.
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