2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E Receives Max EPA Range Rating Of 300 Miles

Range anxiety. A phrase that accompanies any talk of an electric vehicle. Much has been written about range anxiety and much more can and will be written. Is it really a thing or is it more perception?

I am of the opinion that it’s more about perception than anything. According to AAA, the average American driver averages between 26-37 miles of driving per day. So, if that’s true then range anxiety isn’t much of a big deal at all.

So it was pretty exciting to see Ford announced the United States Environmental Protection Agency has certified range numbers for several variants of the all-electric 2021 Mustang Mach-E.

Mustang Mach-E Estimated Range
Ford has met all its targeted EPA-estimated range ratings for variants tested by the EPA to date. The premium extended-range rear-wheel-drive Mustang Mach-E meets its targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles, while the extended-range all-wheel-drive model meets its targeted EPA-estimated 270-mile range. Standard-range rear-wheel-drive Mustang Mach-E meets its targeted EPA-estimated range of 230-mile, while the standard-range all-wheel-drive model exceeds its 210 miles of targeted range, with an EPA-estimated range of 211 miles.

Here's a chart that shows all the standard and estimated ranges for both RWD and AWD iterations.

While the 2021 Ford F-150 will have an electronic version of the owner’s manual, I actually have a copy of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E’s owner’s manual. In it I found this graphic that shows the charge screen.

“This validation by the EPA comes at a perfect time as the Mustang Mach-E is gearing up to take on the open road,” said Darren Palmer, global director, Battery Electric Vehicles, Ford Motor Company.
The California Route 1 has a targeted EPA-estimated range of 300 miles1 which will be confirmed once EPA officials complete their tests.

Customer deliveries for the Mustang Mach-E will start in December in the United States.

Comparing the range of the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and the 2021 Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s Model Y is the top competitor for the Mustang Mach-E. Ford has its site set on challenging Elon Musk’s ultra-cool company with the Mach-E. And really, the competition between the two is good for the consumer.

Comparing the range between the 2021 Tesla Model Y and the Mach-E is pretty easy since both vehicles are incredibly close in size dimensions. As such, the Model Y gets slightly better range, as reported by Torque News reporter Eric Evarts. The Model Y at its best has a maximum range of 316 miles, compared to 300 for the Mach-E. So while the numbers are close, Tesla does edge out the Mach-E.

The other area where the Model Y wins, and I can confirm from a page in the Mustang Mach-E owner’s manual, is in towing range. The owner’s manual of the Mach-E specifically says you cannot tow with it and therefore has no tow rating.

Meanwhile, the Tesla Model Y has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. That could be the deciding factor for some consumers. Likewise, Tesla announced plans for a third-row seat for the Model Y, while that is not in the cards for the Mustang Mach-E.

Honestly, for a vehicle as small as the Model Y, a third row seat does not sound very appealing as it would likely be very cramped and that extra weight would surely drop the range too.

Below is a chart that compares other aspects of the Mustang Mach-E to the Tesla Model Y.

Other Mach-E news
We’ve covered the Mustang Mach-E a lot here at the Torque News Mustang page. And while we mix in other (*real) Mustang news with tidbits about the Mach-E (#notamustang), here’s some more information regarding the soon-to-be-released Mach-E.

Hands-free driving is inching the Mach-E closer toward autonomous driving. Ford has put this technology in the Mach-E, but then announced that they also are putting it in the 2021 Ford F-150.

There will also be over-the-air updates for the Mach-E allowing for simple maintenance. This is a model that Tesla has mastered from the onset, so seeing Ford engaging in OTA updates is pretty impressive. It may add skepticism to some, but I know the early adapters are excited about it.

Now that we are only a month away from the Mach-E officially being on the road and on car lots, it’s nice to see some concrete information, especially something as important as range. The 300-mile range is a tremendous number and should put to bed any concerns regarding range anxiety.

Outside of a road trip, how often would you drive 300 miles in one trip? And there is always a network of charging stations, similar to gas stations where you can gain some range. Electrify America have as many charging stations around the country as Tesla and using these stations is free for the first two years of Mach-E ownership. And charging from zero to full range takes around 30-40 minutes.

As always, your feedback is wanted, so let me know your thoughts on the range of the Mustang Mach-E and your thoughts on range anxiety in general.

Jimmy Dinsmore has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade and been a writer since the high school. His Driver’s Side column features new car reviews and runs in several newspapers throughout the country. He is also co-author of the book “Mustang by Design” and “Ford Trucks: A Unique Look at the Technical History of America’s Most Popular Truck”. Also, Jimmy works in the social media marketing world for a Canadian automotive training aid manufacturing company. Follow Jimmy on Facebook, Twitter, at his special Ford F-150 coverage on Twitter and LinkedIn. You can read the most of Jimmy's stories by searching Torque News Ford for daily Ford vehicle report.