AUTONEWS

Electric Ford Mustang Mach-E has covered more than 500,000 km, its battery still has 92 percent of its capacity

Electric cars often raise doubts among buyers, especially when it comes to battery durability. How long will it last and how much capacity will drop after a few years of use is one of the most common questions. An example from the USA now provides an interesting answer.

The latest compelling example comes from David Blenkle, a resident of Santa Cruz, California. As reported by Forbes, he has owned a 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E since new and has since logged roughly 508,000 kilometres as a private car service driver. His motivations for going electric were straightforward: cut operating costs, reduce shop visits for routine maintenance, and ultimately lower the total cost of vehicle ownership compared to a gasoline-powered alternative.

Given the sheer number of kilometres under the wheels, it is safe to say the bet has paid off handsomely. Blenkle drives his Mustang Mach-E up to 12 hours a day, practically every single day, averaging 370 kilometres in the process.

Here is a detail that puts things in perspective: reaching that 508,000-km mark required 24 sets of tires — a staggering figure by any measure. The brake pads, on the other hand, are still the originals. That speaks volumes about just how effective regenerative braking can be.

What makes this story truly remarkable, however, is the condition of the battery after such relentless use. Capacity loss stands at only 8%, meaning the Mach-E still delivers around 480 kilometres of range on a full charge.

The recipe behind this result is one that most EV owners can easily follow: home charging. Rather than relying on public DC fast chargers — known to accelerate battery degradation over time — Blenkle simply plugs his vehicle in every evening at home.

Blenkle’s experience is far from a fluke. Industry data suggests that modern battery packs lose an average of 1.8% of their capacity per year under normal use, which translates to roughly 9% over five years.

And contrary to what many might assume, California’s mild climate is not the decisive factor here. In fact, cold temperatures can actually help extend battery life by slowing degradation, while heat is the real enemy.

Here’s hoping David Blenkle checks back in when the odometer rolls past one million kilometres.

American David Blank uses his Ford Mustang Mach-E as a vehicle for private passenger transport in California. He bought the car in mid-2022, and since then he has covered more than 316,000 miles, or about 508,000 kilometers. During that time, he has transported more than 7,000 passengers. What is particularly striking is not only the mileage, but the condition of the battery. After more than half a million kilometers, the battery capacity has decreased by only eight percent. This means that the battery still has approximately 92 percent of its original capacity.

In practice, this means that it can still travel almost 500 km on a single charge. This result is particularly interesting because battery degradation is often a top concern for potential electric car buyers.

Data from Recurrent, a company that tracks the condition of electric car batteries in the US, shows that cars with more than 250,000 miles (about 400,000 km) typically retain about 80 percent of their original battery capacity. If Blank's data is accurate, his Mach-E performs significantly better than average.

In addition to the battery, the vehicle's reliability is also interesting. Over more than half a million kilometers, the car has not required any major repairs. Blank says he has changed six sets of tires and seven cabin filters and performed more than twenty regular services. The brakes are still original, which is relatively common in electric cars thanks to powerful regenerative braking.

Charging habits also obviously play a large role in preserving the battery. The owner says he almost always charges the car to 90 percent of its capacity and avoids letting the battery discharge below 20 percent. He does most of the charging at home on a slower charger, while using a public fast-charging network when working.

This example doesn't mean that every electric car will last half a million kilometers without major problems. But it does show that modern batteries are clearly more durable than many buyers still assume.

A 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium used for a private car service in California has surpassed 316,000 miles (over 508,000 km) with only 8% battery degradation, retaining roughly 92% capacity. Driven by David Blenke, the vehicle required 24 sets of tires but still uses its original brake pads due to effective regenerative braking. 

autonews1@yahoo.com---Key findings on high-mileage Mach-E:

Battery health: Despite covering over 500,000 km, the battery still provides approximately 480 km of range per full charge.

Maintenance: The vehicle underwent regular maintenance (tire rotations, cabin filters) but required no major repairs.

Charging habits: The owner primarily charged at home, which likely contributed to the low battery degradation.

Usage: The car was used for 12-hour shifts daily, proving the durability of the electric SUV for commercial use.