- Ford studied battery-health data from over 36,000 early Mustang Mach-E SUVs.
- Average battery health remained at 92% after roughly five years.
- Ninety-five percent of vehicles retained 87%-97% of their original battery capacity
In a recent study, Ford analyzed more than 36,000 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs from 2021 and found that 95% of them retained between 87% and 97% of their original battery capacity after roughly five years on the road.
Why it matters: Many potential electric vehicle (EV) shoppers worry about battery health when considering an electric vehicle, and the prospect of spending extra money on a drained or failed battery might deter them from purchasing an EV altogether.
Most Early Mach-E Batteries Show Limited Degradation
Ford used 2021 Mach-E models as testers for the study, and across the 36,000 vehicles, more than 2 billion electric miles were logged.
By the numbers:
- 92% average battery health
- 87%-97% battery health for 95% of vehicles studied
- 88% average battery health among vehicles with more than 200,000 miles
Battery Life Remains a Top EV Concern for Shoppers
Many EV shoppers may still have concerns about the longevity of electric vehicle batteries. However, Ford’s findings align with other recent research suggesting EV batteries may last longer than many initially expected.
It’s highly dependent on how people use their cars, and many early predictions of EV battery health did not account for that. EV batteries do lose some capacity over time, but it might not be as detrimental as some shoppers fear.
Read more: EV Battery Health: The Essential Guide
Ford Says Findings Support Long-Term Ownership
Ford says its battery packs are designed to last at least 10 years. Across its broader EV lineup, Ford asserts that the batteries maintain more than 90% health at 100,000 miles on average.
However, the automaker also agrees that charging habits can influence long-term battery condition. Ford suggests the following to support long-term battery health:
- Use Level 2 charging for most daily driving
- Save DC fast charging for when you most need it
- Limit exposure to extreme temperatures when possible
- Follow charge-level recommendations for your specific vehicle.
The Bottom Line: Although the study focuses only on Ford vehicles, the results add to the evidence that modern EV batteries may remain usable for far longer than many consumers might expect.
