Ford revealed the result of energy consumption for its critically acclaimed Mach-E on the 22nd from the Environmental Protection Agency to be 434km, which makes it the BEV with the best driving range apart from Tesla.
When it comes to driving range, each institution adheres to different test standards and results, and what automotive manufacturers reveal on the market are usually the results from WLTP of the EU, which is a test conducted under control environment that will usually derive relatively better results. Take the Jaguar I-Pace as an example, the model is capable of roughly 470km in driving range.
Equipped with a more rigorous test mechanism, the EPA registers the energy consumption for general roads and highways respectively, before comes up with a comprehensive result. Under the test of EPA, the Jaguar I-Pace is now sitting at 374km of driving range.
According to recorded electric vehicles from the archive of EPA, the Model S Long Range Plus of Tesla has the best comprehensive driving range at 643km under one single charge, whereas the best-selling Model 3 Long Range Plus measures at 400km.
The latest disclosed data of Ford’s first BEV Mustang Mach-E shows that the model is able to reach to 432km in the comprehensive driving range under EPA’s testing, which is a result that has surpassed that of Model 3 LRP, and makes it the electric vehicle with the best record in driving range apart from Tesla under EPA’s archive.
▲ Mach-E achieves a driving range of 432km, and the MPGe 90 also performs remarkably. （Source：Mach-e Forum）
However, it is rather pointless just by looking at mere data, since a lot of electric vehicles that will be available next year are ready to challenge the 500km standard of driving range, and what should be noteworthy is the speed in improvement for battery technology and energy efficiency that has exceed the anticipation. Tesla spent 10 years on seeking a solution in the midst of the predicament, and while traditional automotive manufacturers are still catching up to the race, Ford has achieved such excellent performance for its first BEV, which can be regarded as a late-mover advantage.
What lies behind the competition in driving range between electric vehicles is the battle of technology among battery suppliers. Ford is currently adopted with the batteries of LG Chem, which indicates that automotive manufacturers who also adopt LG Chem batteries will not experience major problems in achieving similar driving range.
Looking back to Tesla’s Battery Day last month after understanding the catching up in technology from various automotive brands, it wouldn’t be too hard in understanding why Musk has to invest substantial resources in expanding new technology on one hand, and ensuring the supply of raw materials on the other, while also reduce cost at the same time, since a contraction in the gap of battery technology would greatly reduce Tesla’s advantage, and another advantage of the company, “autonomous driving”, is also facing imminent challenges.
Thankfully, Tesla still has a profound degree of useable funds owing to its highest market value in the world, and whether a new king is going to sit on the throne of electric vehicle within the next 5 years will depend on the performance of Tesla’s new 4680 battery next year.
(Cover photo source: Ford)