Electric driving? That's where we are at thegreenlist.nl naturally totally up for it. So when Ford Netherlands invited us to test drive their electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, we said a resounding yes! With this drive, we discover not only the car, but also some sustainable hotspots in our own country. From the iconic IJ-Hallen, Europe's largest flea market in Amsterdam North, to the green Bistro LOF on a beautiful estate in Leersum. But let's start with the most important thing: how does this Mustang Mach-E actually drive?
Electric driving: easier than you think!
In partnership with Ford
Still doubting about driving electric? No worries: charging is now easier than ever! In the Netherlands, the charging infrastructure has expanded considerably, with thousands of fast charging stations from providers such as Shell Recharge, Fastned and Ionity. As a result, a charging point is always within reach. With 152 thousand public charging stations and five thousand public fast charging stations (and counting) has the highest loading density - yes, that's a word - in Europe, according to ANWB.
Modern electric cars also have an average driving range of 450 kilometres - so does this Ford Mustang Mach-E - more than enough for both your daily drives and longer trips. And by fast charging, they mean really fast: plug into such a charging station and within ten minutes you can drive up to a hundred extra kilometres. So charging is faster than having a cup of coffee at the petrol station. Do you already drive electric? Then, of course, you already knew this!
The electric Ford Mustang Mach-E at the charging station in Amsterdam North for a day of second-hand shopping at the IJ-Hallen.
Ford: an icon paving the way for a greener future
Ford has been known for its iconic, robust cars for more than a century, but the car brand is not sitting still. They have committed to ambitious sustainability goals and are now fully focusing on a greener future with their ‘Road to Better’ strategy. This includes not only developing electric vehicles, but also making their entire production process more eco-friendly. Because of course, that too is very important.
Ford wants to be globally carbon neutral by 2050, in line with the Paris Climate Agreement. In doing so, the carmaker has set itself a challenging task. This means they want to drastically reduce emissions from their factories and vehicles. By 2035, Ford wants all their factories worldwide to run on 100% of renewable energy, and in Europe, they want all new cars to be electric. In addition, Ford is working to make every step of the manufacturing process - from raw material extraction to making parts - as environmentally friendly as possible. Since 2016, their European plants have ensured that no waste goes to landfill. This zerowaste policy means that all waste is recycled, reused or converted into energy.
The battery of an electric Ford Mustang Mach-E
The new LFP batteries also significantly reduce the use of rare materials, such as nickel and cobalt. This is also part of Ford's broader plan to contribute to a more sustainable future of the automotive industry. We previously spoke to an expert about cobalt, a battery raw material.
Ford Mustang Mach-E: an electric muscle car and family car in one
But how does it drive? Having driven the Ford Mustang Mach-E for a while, we can say that this car offers the surprising mix of sportiness and family-friendliness. Of course, you notice that you are driving a Mustang - whoohoo, you do feel that sporty ride when you accelerate - but what surprised us most of all is the amount of space and practical storage that this car also offers. With plenty of room in the back, and even a handy Frunk (which is storage space under the bonnet), this car is ideal for families who need just a bit more space for shopping, holidays or the drives to sports clubs at the weekend.
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is equipped with all modern conveniences.
Here are a few features that were really handy for us:
- FordPass app: no more hassle with keys. You simply open and start the car via your smartphone. This app also lets you see how much battery you have left and how charging is going.
- Preheating with the app: especially handy in winter when the car is still at the charging station. The car is then nice and warm when you get in. If you get in around the same time every day, you can set a daily timer for this. No more cold bottoms or scratching!
- Adjustable profiles: are more people riding in the car? Then each driver can save their own seat and mirror settings in their own profile. In addition, favourite music and desired interior temperature can also be set and activated automatically when starting the car. You can create a total of five profiles.
- Large touchscreen and park assist: the large screen makes operation easy, and the fine park assist with clear coloured lines and warning sounds helps you in the trickiest parking and turning spots.
- We drove a Ford Mustang Mach-E with a driving range of up to 470 kilometres (according to the WLTP measurement method by which the driving range of all electric cars is denoted), but you also have a model that can travel up to 600 kilometres on one battery.
Sporty electric driving in a Ford Mustang Mach-E
In short, the Ford Mustang Mach-E not only offers all the modern conveniences you would expect from an electric car, but also retains the sporty feel the Mustang is known for. What we particularly liked is that you really feel like you are driving a sports car, but electric. The eye-catching design and sporty driving make the Mach-E stand out from the average electric models. It combines the driving pleasure of a sporty car with the advantages of electric driving: quiet, comfortable, sustainable and yet exciting. And fair's fair, who wants to drive the same car as their neighbour? See more about this sporty electric family car.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl. Sources: ANWB, ANWB, Ford Media, Ford Media, Ford Corporate, Ford UK.
