- The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is getting a battery upgrade for the standard range models, swapping out the lithium-ion units for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) units.
- The new 70.0-kWh batteries add a few extra miles of range, with rear-wheel drive models targeting a 250-mile EPA estimate and all-wheel drive versions improving to 226 miles.
- The Mach-E is now cheaper as well, with the base Select trim start $3000 less and the Premium trim seeing a $4000 cut.
Major updates are coming to the Ford Mustang Mach-E for the second half of 2023. New batteries for the standard-range models promise increased EPA range estimates and extra power for all-wheel-drive models, while all Mach-Es will now have BlueCruise capability. The changes also come with cheaper prices across the board.
All standard range Mach-Es trade the existing lithium-ion batteries for new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which Ford is currently purchasing from Chinese battery maker CATL. A dedicated factory will open in Michigan in 2026 and will build CATL’s LFP batteries under license. The new packs in the standard range Mach-Es still have a 70.0-kWh capacity, but the new chemistry unlocks a few extra miles of range. Rear-wheel-drive models increase from 247 miles to a targeted 250-mile EPA estimate, while all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es see a bump from 224 to 226 miles. The new batteries also lead to a 45-horsepower boost for all-wheel-drive standard range Mach-Es.
Ford also says that standard range models will now be able to fully recharge more often when using AC home charging, while five minutes was shaved off the DC fast-charging time. Ford now estimates that standard range Mach-Es will take just 33 minutes to go from 10 to 80 percent charge. Extended range versions of the Mach-E are unaffected by the updates, continuing to use the same 91.0-kWh lithium-ion battery packs.
All Mach-Es are also now assembled with the required hardware for BlueCruise, Ford’s hands-free highway driving system. Customers will receive a free 90-day trial, with the option to activate the system as a subscription later on. A three-year subscription can also be added with initial purchase of the vehicle. The latest version of BlueCruise sees hands-free lane changes when the driver activates the turn signal, and the Mach-E will also adjust its position within lanes to give larger vehicles like semi-trucks a wider berth.
The upgrades at the Cuautitlán Izcalli, Mexico plant where Mach-Es are built will see an increase in production, allowing Ford to reopen the order books for the popular electric crossover which sold nearly 40,000 units last year. Prices are down across the lineup, with the Select trim dropping by $3000, starting at $44,795, and Premium models costing $4000 less, opening at $48,795.
Adding the extended battery for Premium trim is still a $7000 upgrade, but the extended range California Route 1 edition is $1000 cheaper at $58,795 and the high-performance GT model is $4000 more affordable at $61,795. Adding the Performance Edition package to the Mach-E GT now costs $5000, $1000 less than before. The upgraded Mach-Es are still 2023 model year cars—owners will be able to identify which battery they have using the owner’s manual or their vehicle’s VIN.
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.