The 250,000-Mile Ford Mustang Mach-E Driver

A Unique Journey with a 250,000-Mile Electric Car

It’s not every day that someone casually accumulates 250,000 miles on a brand-new car in just three years. Yet, for David Blenkle, this is his reality. Operating a private car service in Santa Cruz, California, Blenkle has built a routine that seamlessly integrates with his 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E. His story offers a rare glimpse into the life of someone who relies heavily on an electric vehicle (EV) and continues to find it reliable and efficient.

Blenkle’s journey with electric vehicles began back in 2017 when he purchased a Ford Focus EV. From the moment he hit the accelerator, he was hooked. “I was hooked from the moment I hit the accelerator,” he recalls. The Focus had a range of 76 miles, which was sufficient for his daily commute of about 35 miles. Even though the range was tight, it worked well enough for him to continue using EVs. He drove the Focus for 15,000 miles over five years, eventually deciding that he wanted to stick with electric vehicles for his next car.

However, as his work demands increased, so did his need for a more capable vehicle. Blenkle now regularly drives over 500 miles in a single day, often logging at least 350 miles per shift. This required a significant upgrade in terms of range and performance. After extensive research, he settled on the 2022 Mustang Mach-E Premium (Extended Range, RWD), which originally offered a 303-mile EPA rating. At the time, no other option could guarantee a full day of driving without needing to recharge, allowing Blenkle to focus on other factors beyond range alone.

His decision wasn’t just based on practicality; there was also an emotional connection to Ford. His mother’s first car was a 1964 Mustang, and both his wife and son had recently purchased Fords. “I had just great luck with Ford,” he says. That trust led him to take a leap of faith by ordering the Mach-E sight-unseen during the height of the chip shortage. It took nine months to receive the car, but Blenkle remained patient. He even reached out to dealers across the western United States, offering to step in if any buyer backed out of an order with the specific options he wanted. Eventually, a car appeared just 30 miles from his home, and after some paperwork, he finally got to see his new vehicle—though he hadn’t even seen it yet.

So far, the investment has paid off. Despite the high mileage, Blenkle’s battery still holds more than 90% of its original capacity. Additionally, the car is still using its original set of brake pads, though it does have some wear and tear. Blenkle has replaced the tires five times, with the original set lasting 55,000 miles and each replacement set averaging around 61,000 miles. All tire replacements were OEM parts.

Beyond normal wear-and-tear, Blenkle’s experience has been nearly flawless. He follows conventional best practices, such as limiting fast-charging to 90% of the battery’s capacity. Beyond that, he adheres strictly to Ford’s maintenance schedule. However, he isn’t afraid to enjoy the car’s performance when the opportunity arises. “It is fun in those moments when you can open it up. Um, and take it out. It’s a lot of fun,” he says.

When asked for advice for others looking to get the most out of their EVs, Blenkle emphasized the importance of careful driving. “I’m not tearing it up out there and driving very carefully, and I think obviously that’s added to the longevity of the vehicle,” he explains. He also encourages people to give EVs a try, regardless of what they may have heard about them. “If somebody hasn’t driven an EV before, like forget about all the nonsense you’ve read and get out there and put your foot on the accelerator.”

For those interested in sharing their own experiences with high-mileage EVs, Blenkle’s story is a testament to the reliability and potential of modern electric vehicles.