TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – On June 7, I did something I never thought I’d do: test drive a Ford Mustang. And not just any Mustang – a button-start, very quiet, battery-powered Mach-E. This took place in Traverse City during Consumers Energy’s EV Ride & Drive event at Northwestern Michigan College’s Aero Park Lab.

Consumers Energy promotes these statewide test drives as an opportunity for Michiganders to experience the smooth, quiet power of EVs and get their questions answered in real time.

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When reserving my slot to do a test drive, I had other vehicle options to choose from: a Tesla Model Y, Kia EV9, Chevy Equinox EV, and the Silverado EV – but I picked the Ford Mustang because… well, how often do you get to drive a Mustang without the commitment of a large car payment?

But let’s get this out of the way: the Mach-E doesn’t “rumble” like the normal Mustang. It hums. Which makes Ford’s “Unleash Your Dark Horse” slogan feel like a bit of a stretch in this case. It was more like a mouse than a horse.

Engage mode: like slamming on the brakes once your foot is off the pedal.

The Mach-E’s acceleration? Pretty good – but I barely used it because I drove like a nervous grandma until the EV Specialist riding shotgun in the car told me to speed it up. But the deceleration? Jarring. When I let off the acceleration pedal (we can’t call it a gas pedal anymore), the car braked like I’d stomped on it. Apparently, I was in “Engage” mode, designed for maximum energy efficiency.

There are three drive modes on the Mustang Mach-E: Engage (economy), Whisper (gentler), and Unbridled (sport mode). Engage made me feel like I was flying through the windshield every time I came to a stop sign or a red light.

Eventually, my very patient ride-along expert – an independent EV specialist hired by a firm called Experience Communications – switched me into Whisper mode. Much better. It felt like driving a regular car again. The modes adjust steering, throttle response, deceleration, stability control, interior sound, and ambient lighting to suit different driving moods.

Lots of dollar signs.

Let’s talk numbers. A new Mach-E generally runs $35K–$65K. For me, that’s a dealbreaker. I’ve never spent more than $15K on a car in my life – and I don’t plan to start now. My EV Specialist said that if the battery dies, replacements cost $10K–$13K. Other places say that amount is higher. A Ford website I found said the Ford Mustang Mach-E batteries usually last between 3-5 years, but this is variable depending on weather conditions, the type of battery, driving habits, and more. Warranties are available.

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On the bright side of owning an EV: say goodbye to fuel filters, oil changes, and timing belts – that’s a win. And if you’re a fan of tech, you’ll love that most of the driving functions are handled through the touchscreen in the car. Honestly, the only things that felt remotely mechanical were the gear selector and the lever to open the door. The seating is good for five.

But on the not so bright side (to me anyway), say hello to charging anxiety. There are two types of batteries you can get with the Mustang: the standard-range battery (73 kWh) gives you approximately 250 miles to travel while the larger extended-range battery (88 kWh) gives you 320 miles, depending on the model and conditions. Horsepower ranges from 264 to 370.

There are three levels of charging:

  • Level 1: Trickles through a standard 110 outlet (120V) that most people have in their garage. Full charge takes 60 to 95 hours to fully charge the battery depending on which one you have. It adds about 3 miles of range per hour. This kind of charging is only recommended for those who drive less than 20 miles a day.
  • Level 2: The 220V cuts that time considerably. Can add around 20 to 30 miles of range per hour depending on the charger and the vehicle’s battery size. Costs around $1,500 to install a dedicated home charging station without any rebates or credits. Plus most of the most of the BlueOval Charge Network public charging stations are Level 2 and they also make up the bulk of available public chargers.
  • Level 3: The DC Fast Charge (DCFC) is the most convenient, but will cost you to charge it every time – usually about $15 to $50 depending on rates and the size of your battery. Drivers will need to go to the website PlugShare to find where they are. Charging will still take about 30 to 45 minutes for the charge, so bring a good book or plan to scroll through your iPhone while you wait.

And while you’re calculating miles and kilowatts, remember that using the heat or A/C can knock off about 25% of your range – especially in Michigan weather.

Fun ride but not my lifestyle.

Sure, the Mach-E is cool – sleek and futuristic, no doubt. But honestly, I still prefer the look of the gas- powered Mustangs. That said, it does have some impressive features: the massive center screen displays your current speed alongside the speed limit you’re supposed to be following, and the regenerative braking system cleverly turns the wheels into a generator, feeding power back into the battery. It uses the electric motor to slow the vehicle, converting kinetic energy back into electricity to recharge the battery.

And yes, it’s always fun to drive something clean, shiny, and high-tech.

But would I buy one? Only if I hit the lottery and needed a third car just for in-town errands. Between the price, range limits, and charger planning, EVs just aren’t practical for everyone yet – especially in a state with winter ice and an electric grid already hanging by a thread.