Real World Range

[goneAWOL]

Hi,
I’m new here,
Although not new to Ford EV. We are thinking of changing to the Mach-e extended range AWD Premium, we currently have a Lightning.
Problem is we live in Baja and real range is important given the fact that DC charging is non existent and AC charging is few and far between.
I also know the dealer will tell you what you want to hear and the published numbers on a window sticker is fiction.
Will I be able to safely do 400km (250miles) on the open road?
I can do it with the Lightning but I have to stay under 100km/h (60mph)
Regen as much possible and not use the AC.
There is NO backup or roadside assistance, the longest stretch is 397km.
Claimed range in the Lightning is 483km (302m), exactly the same as the ER MMe….however the Lightning has a 123kwh battery as opposed to the 88kwh of the MMe.
I’ve never seen more than 430km (268m) in the Lightning….ever!
One more thing we always drive in 30+ (87f) degrees weather,
Thanks

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[RickMachE]

We own that Mach-E and a Lightning. I know your posts from the Lightning forum. We have the 131kWh Lightning and the 91kWh Mach-E. The range is IDENTICAL.

Can you SAFELY do 250 miles starting with 100% battery? Since we have a 6.5% bigger battery in our Lightning, and our Mach-E is only 3.4% bigger than what you would buy, I'd say JUST BARELY. You WILL have to watch your speed, and you SHOULD run CarScanner with an OBD reader to watch you actual battery capacity, assuming that's not protected in the newer Mach-Es that are partially locked out.

If you're buying the Mach-E to have MORE range than the Lightning, not really. It will also fast charge SLOWER.

 

[goneAWOL]

We own that Mach-E and a Lightning. I know your posts from the Lightning forum. We have the 131kWh Lightning and the 91kWh Mach-E. The range is IDENTICAL.

Can you SAFELY do 250 miles starting with 100% battery? Since we have a 6.5% bigger battery in our Lightning, and our Mach-E is only 3.4% bigger than what you would buy, I'd say JUST BARELY. You WILL have to watch your speed, and you SHOULD run CarScanner with an OBD reader to watch you actual battery capacity, assuming that's not protected in the newer Mach-Es that are partially locked out.

If you're buying the Mach-E to have MORE range than the Lightning, not really. It will also fast charge SLOWER.

Hey Rick,
Thanks for your reply and valued information.
As you might recall the Lighting was always the Mrs car, we love the lighting and it’s been amazing and reliable but as she is the main driver, she is looking for something smaller and lower, “someone” dinged the right front fender, we had to order a new fender from up north as it could not be sourced here from Ford MX.
The lighting was never available in Mexico but for some reason the Mach-e is, although at almost 100% price increase compared to elsewhere. Go figure,
But, that means there is technical support down here….
Also, the battery is 88kwh, did it change?

 

[Kenzo]

In this summer heat (30C +) I can regularly get 490 - 505 km on a 100% charge. That's driving 113 km/h highway, air con on frigid, cruise control, 2 adults, dog and groceries. You dont want to charge to 100% but we head to the cottage on weekends and need it all. Winter is much less.

2025 Premium AWD Extended range

 

[goneAWOL]

In this summer heat I can regularly get 490 - 505 km on a 100% charge. That's driving 113 km/h highway, cruise control, 2 adults, dog and groceries. You dont want to charge to 100% but we head to the cottage on weekends and need it all. Winter is much less.

2025 Premium AWD Extended range

WOW,
I’m really hoping you are right,
Your range would suggest the window sticker number is achievable. My experience with the F150 is not even close to that.
Do you get the same range going to the Lake as coming from it?
Thanks for the input.

 

[Billyk24]

Range,,,will vary. Someone telling you x today can very well be x-??? next week. Go rent a Mach e and take that trip.

 

[SonicBlue]

Hi,
I’m new here,
Although not new to Ford EV. We are thinking of changing to the Mach-e extended range AWD Premium, we currently have a Lightning.
Problem is we live in Baja and real range is important given the fact that DC charging is non existent and AC charging is few and far between.
I also know the dealer will tell you what you want to hear and the published numbers on a window sticker is fiction.
Will I be able to safely do 400km (250miles) on the open road?
I can do it with the Lightning but I have to stay under 100km/h (60mph)
Regen as much possible and not use the AC.
There is NO backup or roadside assistance, the longest stretch is 397km.
Claimed range in the Lightning is 483km (302m), exactly the same as the ER MMe….however the Lightning has a 123kwh battery as opposed to the 88kwh of the MMe.
I’ve never seen more than 430km (268m) in the Lightning….ever!
One more thing we always drive in 30+ (87f) degrees weather,
Thanks

What you’re describing would be right on the edge for the 4X Premium. You can usually probably make it as long as you keep your speed low and you don’t get a bad headwind. So… why do that to yourself? I wouldn’t.

 

[goneAWOL]

What you’re describing would be right on the edge for the 4X Premium. You can usually probably make it as long as you keep your speed low and you don’t get a bad headwind. So… why do that to yourself? I wouldn’t.

I have one way to get it home, and that’s to drive it.

Range,,,will vary. Someone telling you x today can very well be x-??? next week. Go rent a Mach e and take that trip.

Rental across the border?
You can’t even take a UHaul across let alone any other rental company

 

[Tosh]

My Rally sticker says 260 miles on a charge - my experience is 250, warm weather, no faster than 60mph

 

[RickMachE]

Hey Rick,
Thanks for your reply and valued information.
As you might recall the Lighting was always the Mrs car, we love the lighting and it’s been amazing and reliable but as she is the main driver, she is looking for something smaller and lower, “someone” dinged the right front fender, we had to order a new fender from up north as it could not be sourced here from Ford MX.
The lighting was never available in Mexico but for some reason the Mach-e is, although at almost 100% price increase compared to elsewhere. Go figure,
But, that means there is technical support down here….
Also, the battery is 88kwh, did it change?

Yes, they cut the battery to 88kWh in 2025.
88 in 2021, increased by software update to 91.
91 in 2022-2024.

Mach-E is made in Mexico. Lightning was made in Dearborn, MI.

 

[NY_Cade69]

This is a use-case situation for a longer range EV, look at the BMW iX3
OR look at the extended range Rear Drive Mach-E an extra 20 miles -> 320.

You didn't say whether you need to buy a car that is street legal to US Customs and/or plated in the US - makes a big difference, these days.
Imports from EU or Asia will dominate the EV range wars for quite some time into the future.

 

[jmcbrew]

Can't help with the efficiency of the LR AWD, as I have SR RWD... but you'll probably find that your efficiency is better with AC on at highway speeds rather than having the windows down. My quasi-scientific experiments have shown me that windows down is more efficient under 40-45 MPH, which AC is more efficient above those speeds. This is in humid (dew point of 75ºF+) at 90-105ºF. My AC is usually set at 70ºF. Having said that, I usually run AC anyway because of the humidity.

Blasting AC in the summer and mostly driving in town, I usually get 4.4 to 4.8 miles per kWh. This morning, my car was predicting about 275 miles of range. However, I won't get that mileage at 65+ MPH. I did hit 70 MPH for a few miles here and there, but, like I said, mostly in-town driving. I would love to see what I could get on the old California edition with the LR battery and RWD.

 

[NY_Cade69]

Can't help with the efficiency of the LR AWD, as I have SR RWD... but you'll probably find that your efficiency is better with AC on at highway speeds rather than having the windows down. My quasi-scientific experiments have shown me that windows down is more efficient under 40-45 MPH, which AC is more efficient above those speeds. This is in humid (dew point of 75ºF+) at 90-105ºF. My AC is usually set at 70ºF. Having said that, I usually run AC anyway because of the humidity.

Blasting AC in the summer and mostly driving in town, I usually get 4.4 to 4.8 miles per kWh. This morning, my car was predicting about 275 miles of range. However, I won't get that mileage at 65+ MPH. I did hit 70 MPH for a few miles here and there, but, like I said, mostly in-town driving. I would love to see what I could get on the old California edition with the LR battery and RWD.

I think your math is off, bet its more like 3.5 tops on the 73kWh battery

 

[Tampamike]

I’m gonna say it’ll be tight for 250 but, maybe not impossible. I used to figure 225 miles with a 91 kWh battery on a 100% charge doing 80mph on the interstate. Slow it down to 70 and that goes up to 250. Slow it down to 60 and it should be doable but not a lot of slop there.

 

[jmcbrew]

I think your math is off, bet its more like 3.5 tops on the 73kWh battery

3.5 of what?

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