Ford has been busy with incremental updates to its popular Mustang Mach-E and they showed off the 2025 version to journalists this week. Here’s what we saw:
Ford invited us out to Monticello speedway in New York to see the 2025 Mustang Mach-E and drive the Mach-E Rally edition through the dirt (more on that later).
We didn’t get to drive the 2025 Mustang Mach-E but we did get a thorough walk around.
Smaller Frunk/Heat Pump
The biggest upgrade/downgrade here is that the Mach-E now has a heat pump instead of resistance heating. Depending on how well this is integrated into the vehicle’s heating and cooling systems, including batteries and passenger cabin, it should really help the vehicle’s range, especially in extreme temperature climates. Range wasn’t yet available for the 2025s but don’t expect a huge EPA bump here like last year.
Unfortunately, the heat pump system couldn’t be packaged under the existing Mach-E bonnet without taking up some of the frunk space. You’ll recall that Ford did take some pride in creating a 4.8-gallon/36 gallon frunk that could also be drained, allowing for tailgating and other options. Compare the much bigger previous frunk:
Ford told us that the Frunk wasn’t being used as much as they’d envisioned, and a significantly smaller Frunk wouldn’t be a big loss to the typical Mach-E customer.
I’m not sure if the ease of access or the Frunk in general was the issue with use. I know Ford F-150 Frunk is one of its biggest attributes and more convenient Frunks like Rivian and Tesla’s are quite popular with their owners.
I wonder if the packaging for the heat pump could have been done more elegantly to allow for the frunk to keep most of its size or, even better, allowed Ford to make an easier access Frunk that could carry groceries and expand on the drain feature with something like refrigeration options.
Other exterior improvements include a slightly redesigned front end, which you can see above, and new color options, including the grabber yellow, which was only previously available in the Rally edition. Other new colors are Velocity Blue, Desert Tan, and Magenta.
Interior improvements:
Maybe the biggest experience change is moving the gear shifter from the console to the steering column, freeing up some good space in the console and getting rid of the polarizing “dial a gear” interface. Immediately this seems like a big improvement.
On premium models, Ford touted the red stitching used throughout and sport pedals, which certainly dresses up the appearance. Vented seats will also make its way across all premium models.
Ford has also made some improvements to the charging interface which will also be available to previous versions of the Mach-E via software update.
New Ford Connectivity Package
The new Ford Connectivity package includes:
Wi-Fi® Hotspot: 5G Wi-Fi keeps drivers and their family online and connected while on the road. This can be used for up to 10 personal devices and can extend up to 50 feet from the vehicle, great for camping or tailgating.
Apps: Access apps via the in-vehicle screen to watch YouTube or sing along to in-vehicle karaoke while parked. Occupants can also stream their favorite audio entertainment apps via Alexa.
Maps: Access Connected Navigation to get where you need to go, including features such as EV Trip Planner, Predictive Destinations, and Route Guidance.
Finally, BlueCruise 1.5 will be available on 2025 Mustang Mach-Es which will include automatic lane changing. Ford said it will automate up to 50% of lane changing while in Blue Cruise.
The ‘one more thing’ is the starting price which will now be: $36,495 for a base model. Other prices have yet to be published.
Electrek’s take
I like every one of the updates here (except smaller frunk), but I have to wonder if Ford is iterating fast enough to keep up with the competition. Specifically, Tesla’s Model Y seems to be quite competitive, although now its starting price is $8000 more.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss our GMC Sierra EV Denali first drive, Hyundai Ioniq 9 unveiling, Jaguar’s rebranding, and more.
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It’s official: Chrysler will finally launch an electric Pacifica minivan. The company is developing clever storage ideas that could make it even more functional than Volkswagen’s recently introduced ID.Buzz. But you’ll have to wait a little longer to get your hands on one.
Chrysler confirms plans to launch an electric Pacifica
Chrysler has yet to release its first fully electric vehicle. Although the nearly 100-year-old automaker has teased several EV concepts, we have yet to see one come to fruition. That will change soon.
Earlier this year, the company revealed its Halcyon Concept, a futuristic sports car-like EV drastically different from Chrysler vehicles currently on the road. The model builds on previous concepts, like the Airflow crossover introduced in 2022.
Chrysler’s CEO, Christine Feuell, said the Halycon would be brought to life with advanced new tech from parent company Stellantis, sleek new styling, and a software-defined connected cockpit.
The radical design will be used in future Chrysler vehicles, including the electric Pacifica. At the LA Auto Show this week, Feuell confirmed to GreenCarReports that the Pacifica is due for an overhaul in 2026. The refresh will lay the groundwork for the first electric Pacifica, which is expected to launch the following year.
Chrysler electric Halcyon Concept (Source: Stellantis)
Chrysler’s CEO hinted the upcoming Pacifica EV could challenge Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz, the first electric minivan to arrive in the US.
While you’ll need to remove the seats for that open-air space in the ID.Buzz, Chrysler is working on more functional solutions. According to Feuell, the company is developing a system like its patented Stow ‘N Go Seating to open up space in the rear.
2025 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV interior (Source: Stellantis)
Although nothing is set in stone, one option is adjustable front seats, enabling the second row to be stored underneath.
Electrek’s Take
As Chrysler’s only production model in 2024, it only makes sense to launch an electric Pacifica. The Pacifica hybrid was the fourth best-selling plug-in hybrid in the US in Q3. It also accounted for 14% (3,009) of the 21,504 Pacifica models sold last quarter.
Meanwhile, the company is quickly losing market share in the US. Pacifica sales crashed 44% in Q3 and are down 18% through September.
Several new larger electric SUVs, like the Kia EV9, are already hitting the market, and more are on the way, including the recently unveiled Hyundai IONIQ 9. With the electric Pacifica not due out until 2027 (at the earliest), Chrysler will likely continue losing ground as new, more advanced competitors roll out.
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Tesla has converted an entire Shell gas station into a Supercharger station for electric vehicles in Spain, and it looks fantastic.
One of the favorite arguments of electric vehicle naysayers is that there are not as many charging stations as gas stations – making EVs less convenient.
The argument is flawed since most EVs are charged overnight when parked, and they can be charged literally anywhere there’s an electric outlet, which is not the case with gas-powered vehicles.
Most of the time, charging electric vehicles is more convenient than refueling a gas-powered car, and that’s going to become more widespread as time goes on because there are more charging stations being deployed, and many gas stations are going away.
In some cases, EV charging stations are directly replacing some.
Today, we get to see a beautiful example in Cordoba, Spain, where Tesla took over a Shell gas station and converted it into (hat tip to Aland≡Bru on X):
While it is not completed, it’s particularly interesting to see that Tesla has kept a similar design to the classic gas station setup.
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