Ford Mustang Mach-E sets John O’Groats to Lands’ End efficiency record

The Ford Mustang Mach-E has set a Guinness World Record for the lowest energy consumption in an electric car on a journey across Britain.

The record was awarded after independently verified data showed that the Ford Mustang Mach-E travelled over 6.5 miles per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electrical energy. With 88kWh of available battery capacity, the efficiency achieved reflects well over 500 miles of range, adding more than 120 miles to Mustang Mach-E’s official 379-mile range – and trebling the miles per kWh target set by Guinness World Records for this new electric vehicle record.

The record-breaking performance on Britain’s most lengthy journey necessitated stopping for under 45 minutes of charging. Leaving John O’Groats on full charge, the 840 miles to Land’s End required only two main charging stops at Wigan, in North West England, and Cullompton, Devon.

Ford’s Mustang Mach-E team took on setting a new benchmark “miles per gallon” for electric vehicles to help banish range anxiety fears.

With the Highway Code recommending a break from driving of at least 15 minutes every two hours, the record feat shows that safety-conscious drivers pause journeys longer to refresh than charge their vehicles.

World record team members Paul Clifton, BBC transport correspondent, and co-drivers Fergal McGrath and Kevin Booker, who already hold petrol and diesel economy records between them, said: “This record is about demonstrating that electric cars are now viable for everyone.  Not just for short urban trips to work or the shops, or as a second car.  But for real-world use on long cross-country journeys.  We’ve proved that, with this car, the tipping-point has been reached.

“The Ford Mustang Mach-E’s range and efficiency make it an everyday car for tackling unpredictable journey patterns. We did a full day’s testing totaling 250 miles and still had 45 per cent battery charge on our return.”

Fast charging the rear-wheel drive extended range Mustang Mach-E, which set the record, at 150kW adds around 73 miles of driving range within 10 minutes of charging.

Receiving the Guinness World Record on behalf of Ford, UK electrification manager Tim Nicklin said: “The Mustang Mach-E’s efficiency minimised charging along Britain’s longest route and proved itself as a game changer.

“Ford’s own Go Electric report on consumer perceptions reveals that the average range which the public thinks a fully charged electric car can travel is under 150 miles.  If the Mach-E can achieve well over three times that distance in the hands of professionals, it can easily deliver its official ‘miles per tank’ to owners – and dispense with any previous range anxiety.”

The Ford Mustang Mach-E world record team was supported on their overnight journey from the tip of Scotland to the western end of Cornwall by the AA’s current Patrols of the Year for roadside assistance and recovery, Ben Sheridan and Simon Blake respectively, co-driven by Vince Crane and Dave Baker.