This week on EV Rider, after four years and 67,000 trouble-free miles, I’m saying goodbye to my Ford Mustang Mach-E, as I welcome a new to-me EV to my home stable.

Post your ChargerDaytona or Mustang Mach-E questions or comments here

Before I talk about my just acquired used 2024 Dodge Charger Scat Pack EV, here’s a quick summary about my Mach-E.

The Mustang Mach-E has been a wonderful car. Since I just recently did a 60,000 miles review, I won’t bore you by repeating what’s in that video, but here it is for anyone that would like to watch it:

The Mach-E’s short story is that in its final 7,000 miles with me, including a seven-state road trip, everything went just as smoothly as always.

As I end my ownership experience with the Mach-E, I can heartily recommend it to anyone considering a new or used EV.

Next, let’s look at what I replaced it with.

Dodge’s Charger Daytona is one of the most controversial EVs on the road today. A good number of V8 HEMI fans are furious that the fastest 0-60 mph Dodge currently has in production is now an EV, and not many EV fans are likely to consider a two-door muscle car that by EV standards, is fairly inefficient.

Plus, early Charger EV owners have a reported a variety of issues, a good many of which required the cars to be towed. Add it all together and these cars have lost up to 50% or more of their value in under two years.

Since I absolutely love the style, comfort, handling and performance of the Charger, I decided to take a chance, given the price plummet.

For you Charger owners out there, my CarFax report shows the flashes have been performed on the car, so I’m hopeful that many of the software glitches and 12v accessory battery issues that plagued early owners might be in this car’s rear view mirror.

One nice, early surprise, the Charger is showing a 3.6 mile per kWh average since I reset the trip odometer after taking ownership.

It’s too soon to know, but when driving the Daytona in Eco mode it’s looking like it will probably match or maybe even exceed my Mach-E’s range, which if that proves to be accurate, would be a wonderful surprise.

I’m still in the honeymoon phase and learning, so I won’t begin to try to evaluate the Daytona yet.

But here’s what I will say early on, the Charger has the two-door personal luxury coupe presence I love, which is a rare find among new cars, whether gas or EV. And it’s making a strong first impression.

For you Charger owners, I’d invite you to watch the video I did on a fellow owner’s Scat Pack a few months ago and be sure to subscribe since I’ll be doing follow-ups on my Charger as I get to know it better.

More Dodge Charger Daytona Coverage

Long-Term Owner Review: Charger Daytona Scat Pack

Drop Top Customs Developing Dodge Charger EV Convertible

Production Dodge Charger EV Unveiled With Full Specs

2024 Dodge Charger Daytona EV Convertible Announced

4 EV Coupe Concepts; 2 Headed For Production

EV Muscle: Dodge Unveils ’24 Charger Daytona

More Ford Mustang Mach-E Coverage

How To: LED Car Interior Lighting Accessories

EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking

60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review

Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible?

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

The post EV Swap: Mustang Mach-E To Charger Daytona appeared first on EV Rider.

If you’re looking for a few easy, inexpensive ideas to spice up your EV, this episode is for you.

Now that I’ve put more than 66,000 miles on my 2022 Mustang Mach‑E, I felt the time was right to add a bit of extra bling.

Editor’s Note: Links to all the products mentioned are at the bottom of this post

Interior LED lighting has become a big theme in new cars, making some of them absolutely stunning at night. So it’s no surprise the aftermarket has quickly caught up with cheap, do‑it‑yourself products.

I’ve added six pieces of LED lighting to my interior for less than a hundred dollars.

Let’s start with my favorite addition: an acrylic LED strip light.

It was easy to install—taking roughly an hour—with most of that time spent doing test placements.

It easily snaps into crevices and comes with tape in case the openings in your car are wide enough that a little extra securing is needed.

More Mustang Mach-E Coverage (story continues below)

EV Swap: Mustang Mach-E To Charger Daytona

EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking

60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review

Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible?

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

What I like about this particular kit is that no complicated wiring into a fuse box or battery is required. You can hide the wires under your dash and side panels and then plug it into your car’s USB port.

Once you’ve got it installed, it will turn on and off automatically since it’s being powered by an accessory port.

What really makes it fun is the nearly unlimited number of color combinations and patterns, so you can match or contrast it with your car’s other lighting. It also includes an app and a remote control, along with about five different brightness levels so it’s not too dim during the day or too bright at night.

One thing I don’t like is the app. It requires GPS to work, which is unnecessary and makes me wonder if some sort of tracking is enabled. It also doesn’t work with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which pretty much defeats the purpose. So I just use the remote control if I want to change the color.

Next on the list: custom LED cup‑holder lights. You can submit whatever logo and lettering you want—the light pucks are custom‑made.

They’re powered by rechargeable batteries with USB connectors. Whenever your car is in motion at night, they illuminate, and then shut off after about 30 seconds when the car is still or during daylight hours thanks to their light and motion sensors.

They feature seven different colors, and the manufacturer claims a single charge should last a month or more with normal use.

Next up are custom door‑sill plates. Like the cup holders, they can be customized with words and logos when ordering.

They also include a light sensor so they turn off when the door is closed but illuminate when it’s open.

They come with adhesive so you can snap them into place and easily remove them for charging. In my case, I opted to put magnetic tape on the back instead. That tape, by the way, was not included. Like the acrylic LED strip, the door sills have a seemingly limitless number of available colors and patterns.

And like the cup‑holder lights, they can be customized when ordering.

One thing I don’t like about the door‑sill lights is that the LEDs aren’t evenly lit. At night they look great, but during daylight hours they only look half‑lit.

Of the three, my favorite is the acrylic LED light strips, which—if you were so inclined—could also be added to things like door panels and armrests.

LED Car Interior Lightning Accessories Product List

• Acrylic Interior Car LED Strip Light: https://amzn.to/4o4Cotz
• 2 Pcs Led Door Sills: https://amzn.to/4ua455G
• Custom Logo LED Cup Holder Lights: https://amzn.to/4vmj39L
• Thin Magnetic Tape Roll: https://amzn.to/4fTWSDk

The post How To: LED Car Interior Lighting Accessories appeared first on EV Rider.

This week on EV Rider, let’s take a look at the cost of performance. I’ve put more than 63,000 miles on my 2022 Mustang Mach-E so far.

As I get ready for my next multistate road trip, that got me wondering how much I would spend to go the same distance in either a gas Mustang with the 2.3 liter EcoBoost turbo 4 or 5 liter V8.

Using Gemini, it’s pretty easy to figure out. I had Gemini assume I charge 70 percent at home and 30 percent using commercial AC and DC chargers, which is my best guess of my actual use case.

To keep the comparison a bit more relevant to readers and viewers I used national averages for gas and electricity as opposed to my home city of Jacksonville, where electricity is running below the national average.

So with the disclaimers out of the way, here are the actual numbers.

My Mustang Mach-E has an estimated fuel cost of $4,706, based on prices gathered on April 30.

For the 2.3L EcoBoost Mustang the cost jumps to $8,694 and for you V8 fans, the cost rises to $14,525.

My assumptions used the following EPA averages: the Mach-E getting 3.3 miles kWh, the turbo Mustang getting 25 MPG and the V8 getting 18 MPG.

Since 91 octane fuel is usually recommended for peak performance, that’s the price I used for the gas versions, although there will be Mustang owners that correctly point out their cars can run on regular. However, by the time I published this story on May 6, the price of regular had risen to $4.48 per gallon, which is higher than premium cost when I originally price checked fuel prices on April 30.

Of course all Mustangs are performance cars, so next let’s look at Ford’s estimated 0-60 mph times for the 2026 editions of Ford’s three ponys.

My Premium AWD extended range Mach-E is roughly the equivalent of a fully optioned EcoBoost gas Mustang. The EV powertrain is only available in the 4-door while the gas powertrains is are available in the coupe and convertible.

Of the three powertrains, the EcoBoost is the slowest car, getting to 60 in a Ford estimated 4.5 seconds. The V8 Mustang GT comes in at 4.2 seconds while the 2026 mid-trim Mach-E Premium AWD also does it in 4.2 seconds.

If you were step up to the top trim Mustang Mach-E GT with the performance unlock, the 0-60 mph time drops to a Ford estimated 3.3 seconds.

So what’s the lesson? It’s pretty simple. When it comes to everyday performance and fuel economy, EVs are going to win almost every time.

More Mustang Mach-E Coverage (story continues below)

EV Swap: Mustang Mach-E To Charger Daytona

How To: LED Car Interior Lighting Accessories

60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review

Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible?

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

At Deeper Look At The Stats In This Post

Gemini, which is a Google-owned AI model, was used to come up with the estimates used in this story, using U.S. average electric and gasoline fuel prices compiled on April 30, 2026. Disclaimer: Fuel prices constantly fluxuate.

The Variables: Assumes 63,000 miles of travel for each vehicle, using EPA fuel economy estimates

• U.S. Average Premium Gas on 4/20/26: $4.15 per gallon.
• EV Charging Mix: 70% Home ($0.17 kWh), 15% L2 ($0.30 kWh), 15% L3 ($0.55 kWh). U.S. average prices on 4/20/26.

The post EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking appeared first on EV Rider.

After more than 60,000 miles, including trips to more than 20 states, let’s see how my 2022 Mustang Mach-E is holding up and how it compares to the 2026 model.

In terms of maintenance, this review is going to be quick. I replaced the tires at 58,000 miles, although they still had tread. I also had a windshield washer hose replaced that went bad.

Other than that, I had a warranty-covered factory main battery contactor recall completed. I also decided to replace my 12-volt battery, although it was still charging to 97% of capacity, according to my OBD II reader.

I know from experience that older 12-volt batteries can die unexpectedly, so I figured why take the chance.

Mustang Mach-E Over-The-Air Improvements

My electric pony has improved with age in some ways thanks to Ford’s over-the-air software enhancements. One of the biggest improvements was an update that turned what used to be just a volume knob into a multi-function dial that now can also raise or lower climate control temperatures and heated seats.

Perhaps more importantly to those that road trip a lot, my Mach-E’s peak charging speed has improved from 154 kW when I first bought it, to 167 kW in ideal conditions. Charging speeds above 80% have also improved a bit since it was new.

My lifetime efficiency average has been running right around 3.1 miles per kWh. However, I’ve noticed an interstate drop off since getting new tires, from 3 to 2.8 miles per kWh at 70 miles per hour. I switched to Goodyear EV rated tires. The ride is also more bouncy with the Goodyears. If I had it to do over again, I would have replaced the tires with the Michelins the Mach-E came with.

Cartoon: Zappy’s Horse Outrun By Mustang Mach-E

Another over the air improvement has been BlueCruise. When I first got the Mach-E, BlueCruise would lane hunt sometimes and was easily tripped up by things like exit stripes.

Now Blue Cruise is more reliable, with Ford adding manually executed lane changes. The latest Mach-E comes with updated hardware that enables BlueCruise to carry out automatic highway lane changes with no human intervention.

I’ve been happy with my Mach-E’s build quality. It still feels solid and everything I said about its handling in my earlier review still applies.

Long-Term Review: ’22 Mustang Mach-E (story continues after video)

The paint, body and interior have been holding up well, although I have a garage and live in Florida, so it’s not exposed to salt or sand or as many potholes at the end of the winter season as many rust belt cars experience.

From a visual standpoint not much has changed between my 2022 and the 2026 Mach-Es, but Ford has been steadily improving its electric pony.

Here’s a look at some of the more important upgrades:

Ford upped the AWD Premium extended range trim, which is what I own, from 346 to 365 horsepower,  while torque has jumped from 428 lb-fit to 500. The EPA-estimated range has risen from 277 miles to 300 on my trim.

A heat pump has also been added. But that one is a mixed blessing. It’s good news for snow belt drivers since they should see improved winter range. However, that also reduced the size of the frunk, shrinking it from 4.7 cubic feet to 2.8 cubic feet of storage. Another words, it holds 40% less stuff.

The shift dial in my Mach-E has been dropped in favor of a stalk-mounted shifter and a redesigned center console that includes a bit more storage.

More Mach-E Coverage (story continues below)

EV Swap: Mustang Mach-E To Charger Daytona

How To: LED Car Interior Lighting Accessories

EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking

Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible?

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

DC charging speed has also been improved, with some drivers now reporting being able to hit peaks of 170 kW and holding 150 kWs for several minutes. My Mach-E usually ramps down into the 120s within a few minutes.

For those opting for the EV Mustang’s top trim, the Mach-E GT’s total torque is now up to 700 lb-ft, for a Ford estimated 3.3 second 0-60 mph run with summer tires. That’s assuming you purchase Ford’s performance unlock

There have also been a few trim and color changes but for the most part, the 2026 hasn’t changed much from my 2022.

For those thinking about getting a Mach-E, I can easily recommend gently used models. These days it’s pretty easy to find low mileage examples for less than $30k.

Once you figure in the low fuel cost, performance, practicality and 100,000-mile battery warranty; used Mach-Es are quite affordable for drivers looking for something more sporty than the typical SUV.

In terms of buying new, Mach-E prices have also come down since I bought my 2022, although that’s somewhat offset by the loss of the $7,500 tax credit.

Four years later, I’m still thrilled with my electric pony. And with the ever-improving charging infrastructure, I’m looking forward to more multi-state road trips where I can let the Mach-E really gallop.

The post 60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review appeared first on EV Rider.

This week on EV Rider, what if Ford built a convertible version of the Mustang Mach-E?

I love convertibles and I’ve owned several over the years, including a Trans Am.

So now that EV muscle cars are becoming a thing with the Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack, what if Ford turned the Mustang Mach-E GT into a convertible? Let’s find out.

Thanks to the magic of AI, it’s now easy to prototype all kinds of variations of existing cars. In this case, here’s what a 2025 Mustang Mach-E GT might look like as a convertible.

As you can see, even if we keep the 4-door design, it makes the transition to a soft top quite nicely.

Of course most convertibles over the years have been two doors, but Lincoln certainly proved its possible to do an elegant four-door convertible with its iconic Continental that was in production from 1960 to 1969. If by chance you’ve never seen Lincoln’s 4-door convertible, you’ll find several shots of it in the video at the top of this post.

If cost is a concern – and it always is – Ford could keep the 4-door form factor and it would have the added benefit of including an extra dose of practicality. And speaking to practicality, since the Mach-E has a frunk, the lost of some of the trunk space needed for the top wouldn’t be as big a deal as it is with traditional 2-door convertibles.

So what you do think? Should Ford make a Mach-E convertible? Let me know in the comments.

If you’d like to see a Mustang Mach-E EV convertible make production consider sharing this video and post, since the more people that share it make the odds get higher someone at Ford will take notice.

More Mustang Mach-E Coverage

EV Swap: Mustang Mach-E To Charger Daytona

How To: LED Car Interior Lighting Accessories

EV Vs. Gas Mustangs: Fuel Cost Difference Is Striking

60,000 Miles Later: 2022 Mustang Mach-E Review

Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR

Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang

Ford Will Offer Complementary Mach-E, F-150 Lightning NACS Supercharger Adapters

EV Rider’s 2023 Top 10; What’s Ahead In 2024

First Look: Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally

Long-Term Review: Ford ’22 Mustang Mach-E

The post Should Ford Build This Mustang Mach-E Convertible? appeared first on EV Rider.

Ford is amping up the excitement as it unveils its Mustang Mach-E NASCAR EV prototype.

While The Mustang V8 solders on, Ford knows the next performance frontier is electric.

Related: More Mustang Mach-E coverage

Ford’s performance team has unveiled what it calls the Mustang Mach-E NASCAR prototype, which it says has 1360-horsepower.

That’s courtesy of a tri-motor set-up and a 78-kWh battery.

Although no weight was announced it’s probably quite a bit lighter than a regular production Mach-E thanks to the prototype’s full carbon fiber tub.

What really caught my eye is Ford turned its prototype into a two-door, which of course lines-up with both Mustang and NASCAR tradition.

So could we maybe – just maybe – see a regular two-door Mach-E production model? Or maybe even a Mach-E convertible?

Ford isn’t saying but the Mach-E’s overall design certainly works nicely as a two-door as you can see in these EV Rider AI-generated renderings.

Perhaps more importantly, could we see a tri-motor Mustang Mach-E make production on the existing platform to directly take on other high-performance EVs like the Model S Plaid, Lucid Air Saffire and upcoming Dodge Charger Daytona Banshee?

Ford didn’t release any performance numbers for its prototype but enthusiasts are sure to wonder how it stacks up against the gas-powered Mustang GTD.

The GTD is a street legal track car in very limited production with an eye-popping starting price of around $325,000. That money gets you a supercharged V8 with 815 horsepower and a top speed of 202 miles per hour.

With a tri-motor setup, it sounds like the NASCAR Mach-E prototype just might pull ahead of the GTD but we’ll just have to wait and see.

The post Ford Shows Off Tri-Motor Mustang Mach-E For NASCAR appeared first on EV Rider.

Ever since the debut of the Ford Mustang Mach-E EV there’s been a debate about whether it’s a real or better Mustang. Looking at the sales numbers, it’s obvious which pony car the majority of actual buying customers currently prefer.

Ford has released its year-end sales totals and the Mustang Mach-E EV was crowned the Mustang sales champ with 51,745 units sold in 2024. That compares to 44,003 for all trims of the gas-powered Mustang coupe and convertible.

The most recent fourth quarter numbers show the trend is even more clear with Mustang Mach-E sales coming in at more than double the number of gas-powered Mustangs sold. ICE Mustangs accounted for just over 7,518 sales while EV Mustangs were bought by 16,119 customers in the final quarter of 2024. 

Got VR? This episode is also available in 3D on YouTube VR.

Perhaps what’s most amazing is the current Mustang Mach-E went on sale back in 2020 while the gas-powered pony car got a major styling overhaul in 2023. Usually when a model is redesigned it reinvigorates sales.

V8 powered Mustang sales should get a bit of a bump in 2025 now that both the Dodge Challenger and Chevy Camaro have been discontinued and there’s no Hemi V8 available in the 2025 Dodge Charger.

Ford is also freshening the electric Mustang Mach-E for 2025 with a winter range bump and some minor styling tweaks.

Perhaps most importantly to muscle car fans, Ford says the 2025 Mustang Mach-E GT is quicker from 0-60 mph at 3.2 seconds than the V8 powered Mustang Dark Horse. By comparison, Motor Trend says a Dark Horse with a 10-speed automatic can hit 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds or 4.1 seconds with the six-speed manual.

The Mustang Mach-E is also more efficient now that a heat pump has been added, meaning Mach-E owners in colder climates should see better range when running the heater than the outgoing model.

Inside, the Mach-E’s gear selector has been moved from the center console to the steering column, while a new sport appearance package is available that makes the Premium model look more like the GT.

Range comes in at 320 miles for the rear-wheel-drive extended range battery model, while the all-wheel-drive high-performance GT knocks that down to 280 miles.

The Mustang Mach-E Rally edition is also back for 2025 for those that like to do light off-roading. The Rally’s higher suspension and tire setup eats even more into range, at 265 miles per charge.

The Mustang Mach-E is aging well. The next question is how far off is the next generation and how long will it be until we finally see EV coupe and convertible Mustangs?

2024 Ford U.S. Retail Sales Figures

The post Mustang Mach-E EV Sells Better Than Gas Mustang appeared first on EV Rider.

Ford has announced U.S. and Canadian Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners will be able to reserve a complementary CCS to NACS Supercharger adapter beinging in Spring 2024. 

Ford said its existing Mach-E and Lightning customers will, “soon be able to reserve a complimentary Fast Charging Adapter.”

The adapters will work at all Tesla V3 and above Superchargers. Ford will start to transition to the NACS charge port from 2025, removing the need for an adapter for direct access to Tesla Superchargers.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said on X, “This is our way of saying thank you!”

This is the first time Ford has gone on the record saying the adapters would be complementary. Ford has so far avoided using the word free but everything said so far strongly implies Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning owners will get one adapter free of charge.

“2021-24 model year Mustang Mach-E + F-150 Lightning customers will be eligible & the reservation process will be validated by VIN. One charger per VIN. We’ll cover cost of shipping. Details on how to reserve & tech specs of the adapter will be shared soon. Activating, charging & payment once a customer has an adapter will be seamless through FordPass or in-vehicle Public Charging App,” Farley said on X.

Will Ford’s CCS To NACS Adapter Work With Focus, Transit EVs?

Ford didn’t mention whether Focus EV owners will receive an adapter or whether the Ford CCS-to-NACS adapters will work with its discontinued Focus EV, which was the first Ford to have CCS DC fast charging. The Focus EV was built from 2011 to 2018. The Transit EV, which is still in production, also wasn’t mentioned.

The post Ford Will Offer Complementary Mach-E, F-150 Lightning NACS Supercharger Adapters appeared first on EV Rider.

As we all focus on 2024, here’s a quick look back at the top 10 EV Rider videos from 2023 and a brief look at some of what we’ll be doing in 2024. 

This list is comprised of the 10 most watched videos on the EV Rider YouTube channel that were produced 2023, with the most popular video coming in at number one. Shorts and videos from previous years were not eligble for inclusion.

#10 | Ford Mustang Mach-E Towing Test

Coming in at number ten was a Mustang Mach-E towing test. Plenty of you wanted to know how much the Mach-E can tow. The short answer is more than 3,300 pounds. The longer answer: Ford doesn’t want you towing in the U.S. but is happy to sell you an OEM hitch in Europe. 

#9 | Showdown: Ford F-150 Lightning Vs. Rivian R1T

There’s a ton of interest in EV pickup trucks right now which quickly became apparent as EV Rider pitted two local owners with a Rivian R1T and Ford F-150 Lightning against one another. 

8# | 2023 Kia EV6 GT Blows Away Many Performance Cars

Economical performance is also on the minds of EV Riders. Our road test of Kia’s EV6 GT checked in at number 8. It screams to 60 miles per hour in just 3.4 seconds. 

#7 | Tesla Owner Ditches Model X Plaid For Rivian R1S SUV

SUVs make up the hottest EV segment out there with thousands upon thousands of you wanting to know more about Rivian’s R1S SUV and why a Tesla owner dumped his Model X for the R1S. 

#6 | Owner Review: Cadillac Lyriq Debut Edition

Although Cadillac struggled with production volume for its Lyriq in 2023, our EV Rider review of Caddy’s first pure EV proved there’s plenty of interest as it checked in as our sixth-most watched video of the year. 

#5 | Energica Experia Delivers Top Notch EV Motorcycle Touring Experience

EV Rider’s fan base includes a lot of motorcyclists so it’s no surprise that so many of you couldn’t wait to learn more about Energica’s Experia, which at the time of its debut had the EV motorcycle industry’s largest battery pack. We called it a top-notch EV motorcycle touring experience. 

#4 | Long-Term Review: ’22 Mustang Mach-E

While some traditional ICE Mustang fans are still upset that Ford used the storied nameplate on its Mach-E EV, that didn’t stop more than 10 thousand of you from wanting to know about how EV Rider’s personal electric pony is holding up. In a word: great. So far I’ve put about 35,000 miles on it. 

#3 | Owner Review: Tesla Model 3 Vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5

While one YouTube channels video views certainly aren’t scientific when it comes to automotive trends the more than 10 thousand of you that watched EV Rider’s Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 5 comparison anecdotally illustrates there seems to be quite a bit of cross shopping interest between the two brands. 

#2 | Canoo EV Startup: Factory Update, Other News

EV startup Canoo is just now gearing up for volume production at its new Oklahoma City plant and EV Rider’s audience is obviously very interested in this brand. Canoo videos produced this year would have dominated five of the top ten spots if I had broken them out one by one. Altogether, Canoo videos and shorts accounted for more than 348,000 EV Rider video views in 2023.

#1 | Why Tesla Model Y Owner Switched To BMW iX

The number one individual video EV Rider produced in 2023 was a look at why one EV Rider dumped his Tesla Model Y for a BMW iX. More than 38,000 of you had watched the iX video at last check.

The Road Ahead

So what’s ahead for EV Rider in 2024? Given the high-interest level, we’ll continue to follow Canoo as it looks to ramp up its production in 2024. 

EVs Assembled In Jacksonville, FL

Cenntro, an EV fleet maker with an assembly plant right here in Jacksonville, Florida has promised us a factory tour. So watch for that video, probably sometime in mid-to-late February. 

EV Motorcycle Industry’s 1st Heavyweight Cruiser Arrives In 2024

Evoke Motorcycles is preparing to rollout the industry’s first high-volume electric cruiser 6061-GT with a massive 29.8 kWh battery. Evoke plans to let EV Rider take one for a spin during a visit to Florida in June and we expect to get to experience its Urban Classic sometime in March.

Automotive EV manufacturer and owner reviews will continue to play a big part on the channel. We’ll also continue to occasionally feature product reviews, including a review of a universal LED-lit  topbox for motorcycles.   

To everyone that’s watched EV Rider in 2023, thank you, and here’s hoping we all have a safe, prosperous and happy 2024. Enjoy the ride. 

The post EV Rider’s 2023 Top 10; What’s Ahead In 2024 appeared first on EV Rider.

The Mustang Mach-E is a fantastic, sporty SUV. Now Ford has decided the time is right to make a Rally edition for mild off-road adventures and rally racing. 

Regular edition All-Wheel-Drive Mach-Es are already pretty capable vehicles, including doing a little unofficial light-duty towing, but they’re just too low and too easily banged up to consider anything more off-road than maybe a gentle ride on the beach or a park trail intended to be accessible by most vehicles. 

With the introduction of the Mach-E Rally, Ford is aiming straight at the heart of the rally off-road adventure market. But, don’t get the idea this is a Jeep Wrangler competitor.

This isn’t a rock crawler and rougher terrain isn’t its mission. Instead, it was developed for rallycross fans.  

Rally Cross is a type of dirt racing where drivers power slide their way to victory on dirt or gravel tracks. 

The Mach-E Rally is based on the GT edition of the Mach-E but adds a unique raised suspension that gives it an 0.8-inch lift with specialty tuned springs and MagneRide shocks. 

This off-road all-electric Mustang trades the GT’s wheels and tries for 19-inch rally-style alloy wheels wearing Michelin Cross-Climate 2 tires that provide more sidewall and loose surface grip. 

The underside gets protective shielding for the front and rear motors to help protect against the gravel drivers are likely to kick up. A protective film is added on the door cladding and fender arches to reduce potential paint chips. 

For drivers traversing the great outdoors at night, rally-inspired fog lights are added to a front grille that’s unique to the Rally edition. 

Inside, the Mach-E Rally has a special RallySport Drive Mode that adds yaw for bigger slides, better throttle response and more aggressive damping for better handling in loose corners.  

Since the Rally edition is based on the GT and includes MagneRide shocks and Brembo bakes, it should also be a hoot out on the street. Ford says it will have at least 650 lb.-ft. of torque and 480 horsepower. 

That’s even more torque than the Mustang Mach-E GT Performance, which has a Ford-rated 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds.  So it sounds like the Rally might end up equaling or even surpassing the current top dog Mach-E’s acceleration. 

For adventurers that do manage to get themselves in trouble, there’s also a recovery point built into the front end and an included hook, so your buddy with a Lightning can come get you out of any potential jam. 

It also looks the boy-racer part with a rear spoiler that takes its inspiration from Ford’s former Focus RS. 

Ford says the Mach-E Rally will start around $65,000. 

While that might sound expensive; for a such a sporty, unique, EV it actually significantly undercuts what might be its closest competitor. The Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo with similar specs starts at just over $141,000 while the more light-duty off-road focused Taycan Cross Turismo starts at $101,900.

What do you think? Are there any other EV-powered competitors outside of the Porsche? Let me know in the YouTube comments. 

If you’ve enjoyed this bonus episode of EV Rider, please give it a like and subscribe‘ so I can bring you more adventures in EV motoring.  

The post First Look: Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally appeared first on EV Rider.