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This F-150 Lightning Powers a Colorado Dream, One Latte at a Time
As the recently appointed chief program engineer and long-standing member of the Mustang Mach-E team, the team and I have spent countless hours testing, refining, and pushing this electric SUV to its limits. We design for durability and build for the distance. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a vehicle put to use by customers in the real world, mile after mile.
That’s why the story of David Blenkle and his 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium caught our attention. In just over three years, David, who runs a small private car service in Santa Cruz, California, has driven more than 250,000 miles in his Mustang Mach-E.
To put that in perspective, he’s driven the equivalent of a trip to the moon and is on his way back.
“The biggest misconception I encounter is about battery life and range, and then I show them my odometer.”David Blenkle, 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium driver
“The biggest misconception I encounter is about battery life and range, and then I show them my odometer,” he said.
David’s story is a testament to the engineering of this vehicle. It’s a real-world example of what’s possible with the Mustang Mach-E under the right conditions. Based on our own validation data, Mustang Mach-E batteries are designed to last at least 10 years, with 90% battery health at 100,000 miles.1
When David started, he needed a vehicle that was dependable, comfortable for his passengers, and economical to operate. His choice of the Mustang Mach-E has become the cornerstone of his business, enabling him to provide a vital service to his community.
Inspired by the care his grandfather, a World War II Army veteran, received from the VA, David offers complimentary rides for veterans and their families to VA appointments or national cemeteries. It’s not a promotion; it’s a quiet, heartfelt way of giving back.
It’s truly inspiring to see what David does with his Mustang Mach-E. His business is built on reliability, providing rides for university students who might otherwise miss a flight home, or for locals navigating the highway over the Santa Cruz mountains.
For David, like most electric vehicle owners, “filling up” his Mustang Mach-E primarily happens at home.
“I have a Ford home charger, and I plug it in every evening, set to charge when my electricity rates are lower,” he said. On his high-mileage days, a quick 15- to 20-minute stop at a DC fast charger is sometimes needed.
Many people considering an electric vehicle wonder about battery longevity and maintenance. David’s experience provides a powerful example. After 250,000 miles, his battery is still healthy and going strong. Currently, David’s Mustang Mach-E with full charge still provides around 290 miles2 “per tank,” thanks in part to his healthy charging habits, like setting a maximum charge limit of 90% for daily use.
The Ford standard warranty covers the battery and electric drivetrain for 8 years or 100,000 miles, but David’s journey shows what’s possible far beyond that. His maintenance schedule is consistent, remarkably simple, and by the book: regular tire rotations, routine multipoint inspections, and new cabin filters. And thanks to David’s gentle driving style and regenerative braking, which helps recapture energy and reduces wear, his original brake pads still have life left.
David relies on his local Ford dealership for these essential services, highlighting the accessibility and expertise of the Ford dealer network’s certified technicians in keeping his Mustang Mach-E in peak condition. And, besides a couple “battle wounds” from over 250,000 miles on the road, it’s still a looker.
David spends up to 12 hours on the road per day, logging a lot of highway miles. With BlueCruise3 hands-free highway driving paired with the lack of engine noise and vibration, it helps make these long hours in the car easier and more enjoyable. For his passengers, the ride itself is part of the experience.
“It’s almost like the first time I put on noise-canceling headphones on a flight," he said. "I feel so different at the end of the day.”
“It’s almost like the first time I put on noise-canceling headphones on a flight.”David Blenkle, 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium driver
David reminds our team that we’re engineering vehicles that help empower people to build businesses, support their communities, and embark on incredible journeys.
We’re proud to be on the road with him, as he tackles his trip “back from the moon” and continues to redefine what's possible with an electric vehicle.
Matthew Gabrielli is Mustang Mach-E Chief Program Engineer at Ford.
1Based on a 2024 manufacturer field data study of high-voltage battery state of health on Ford battery electric vehicles.
2The 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium model has an EPA-estimated range of 303 miles with an extended-range battery and RWD. Based on full charge. Actual range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age and state of health.
3Available feature on BlueCruise-equipped vehicles. BlueCruise requires a Connected Services plan and modem activation. BlueCruise driver-assist features can be activated in hands-free Blue Zones and do not replace safe driving and driver’s need to control the vehicle. See ford.com/bluecruise for more details on available plans and hands-free models.
