A New Hope For EV Sales In The US: The Super Mustang Mach-E

Last Updated on: 17th June 2025, 10:27 am

The US vehicle electrification movement bumped up against a speed bump after President Donald Trump took office on January 20, putting the anti-EV movement in control of the White House and Congress. Still, it’s a big world out there. US automakers have plenty of opportunities to leverage their brand for EV sales in countries where the race for zero emission mobility still runs hot, and there are still some bright spots in the domestic market, too.

Ford Leverages Iconic Brands To Boost EV Sales

Despite today’s sour mood, EV sales in the US continue to show signs of long term momentum, with the notable exception of Tesla. Just because there’s an abrupt shift in federal EV policy doesn’t mean that automakers are going to drop the whole idea of zero-emission mobility. Regardless of the political temperature, it makes sense for US automakers to tread water in the domestic EV market, if only to hold on to what market share they have until the regulatory environment becomes more supportive. After all, presidents come and go, but carmakers can stick around for decades.

Take the Ford Motor Company, for example. The Detroit-based automaker entered the scene more than 100 years ago, back in 1903. Somewhere around 1914 the company’s founder, Henry Ford, briefly explored the idea of producing electric cars but quickly put the idea to rest in favor of gasmobiles.

By the time Ford was ready to explore electrification again, Tesla had already burst out of the box with a formidable lead on EV sales. Competing against Tesla mano-a-mano in the passenger car area was somewhat of a wash, but Ford eventually found its footing by hitting targets unavailable to Tesla.

If you’re thinking that means legacy-branded EVs, run right out and buy yourself a cigar. That’s exactly what Ford has been up to. In recent years Ford has gained an edge on EV sales with electrified versions of the popular Transit commercial van as well as the famously sporty Mustang and the reliably functional F-150 pickup truck.

The Electric Motorsports Angle

Ford also has more than 100 years of experience in motorsports under its belt. That’s another key area left all but untouched by Tesla, and Ford is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

That brings us to the latest news from Ford Performance, the company’s motorsports branch. On June 16, Ford unveiled its all new three-motor EV demonstrator, the Super Mustang Mach-E, just in time to participate in the 103rd Running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event on June 22.

“The Super Mustang Mach-E demonstrator, developed in partnership with STARD Advanced Research and Development, is purpose-built to tackle the grueling 12.42-mile course and showcases the next leap forward in electric performance technology,” Ford Performance explained in a press statement.

Ford also took the opportunity to underscore some of the differences between the Super Mustang Mach-E and last year’s entry in the same event, the F-150 Lightning SuperTruck. The company cited improvements in regenerative braking, weight balance, overall weight savings, and maneuverability.

Ford also notes that the Super Mustang’s 50 kilowatt-hour battery features Li-polymer NMC pouch cells. “Like last year’s entry, it operates on a voltage of 799V, but this year’s setup sheds critical weight — over 260 pounds — while delivering regenerative braking of 710kW,” Ford add.

“We’re continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible with electric vehicles,” emphasized Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance. “This Super Mustang Mach-E demonstrator represents the next stage in our electrification journey — lighter, leaner, just as powerful, and more capable in high-altitude competition.”

What Is This STARD Of Which You Speak?

In terms of EV sales, it’s good publicity to have a souped-up version of a street legal car out there, and the Mustang is just the latest Ford-branded EV to get the makeover.

In 2023, Ford took an electric van on a spin around Pike’s Peak. Billed as “SuperVan 4,” the demonstrator EV was another project in collaboration with STARD. Among other performance elements, the all-wheel drive SuperVan 4 featured a 50 kilowatt-hour battery and an FIA specification roll cage, just in case.

Last year, Ford and STARD also collaborated on the SuperTruck EV demonstrator version of the F-150 Lightning electric pickup, which participated in the 102nd Pikes Peak climb.

“The progression of Ford electric vehicles taking on and completing the toughest challenges is a major testament to the hard work and dedication our teams have put into the program,” Rushbrook observes.

“The construction of the Ford Performance F-150 Lightning SuperTruck was a testament to the power of collaboration. STARD (Stohl Advanced Research and Development) played a crucial role in helping create the 1,600-horsepower truck,” Ford elaborated.

As for who is STARD, that’s a good question, considering that Ford is depending on the firm to help it deliver the EV goods. “The [Pike’s Peak] program continues Ford’s long-standing partnership with STARD, who remain integral to the powertrain, battery systems, and control strategy development for Ford Performance’s cutting-edge electric vehicle demonstrators,” Ford explains.

The STARD website is down for reconstruction as of this writing but its LinkedIn page offers plenty of details. “Since its foundation STARD is focusing on R&D of EV powertrain systems and has taken a pioneering role in EV technology in road car bodyshell based motorsport categories like rally and rallycross by introduction of the world´s first all-electric Rally/Rallycross development car ‘HIPER MK1’, and from 2020 being exclusively responsible for all technical aspects of the projektE series, the first international all electric rallycross series worldwide,” STARD explains in a bit of a run-on. The company also notes it has been developing supercars based on the Ford Fiesta since 2015.

EV Sales And The Tesla Effect

As for the Super Mustang, the Pikes Peak publicity machine provides Ford with an opportunity to point out the connection between its motorsports efforts and its street legal EVs.

“Key learnings from the Super Mustang Mach-E and its Ford Performance demonstrator counterparts are actively influencing the next generation of Ford electric vehicles for production,” Ford emphasizes.

“Innovations in battery chemistry, thermal management, and high-performance electric drive units tested under extreme stress at Pikes Peak are directly informing future consumer models, electric vehicle calibration strategies, and even brake system development,” the company adds.

“Every data point we gather on the mountain helps us build better electric vehicles for our customers — whether it’s maximizing power delivery, improving regen strategies, or managing heat in extreme elevation changes. What we learn here goes straight into future production,” adds Rushbrook for good measure.

That sure doesn’t sound like Ford is ready to give up on the US market for EVs any time soon. In addition to the Pike’s Peak showcase, Ford and General Motors have both developed electric prototypes engineered in accord with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), with Ford pitching in the Mustang demonstrator and GM showcasing the Chevy Blazer. NASCAR has also developed an electric prototype of its own — just in case.

As for EV sales in the US, it’s a mixed bag. Overall, S&P Global notes that 14 straight months of growth came to a screeching halt in April, but that was mainly on account of Tesla’s troubles. Other automakers continued to see sales pick up (check out more EV sales news here).

Photo (cropped): The US continues to be a big market for EV sales, and Ford is aiming for an edge with the Super Mustang Mach-E from its Ford Performance branch (courtesy of Ford Performance).