Battery SOH - bragging rights or bullshit?

[RickLightning]

I've noticed between the Mach-E and Lightning forums a consistent fact - Lightning SOHs are considerably higher, or perfect, as compared to Mach-E SOHs. Is this because of:

1) Better battery technology on Lightnings as compared to Mach-Es?
2) Better BMS on Lightnings as compared to Mach-Es?
3) Different algorithm calculating SOH?

Thoughts?

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[StevenC56]

Isn't the mach e battery LFP as opposed to our NCM?

Not LFP on all years and models. Our 2025 GT has the 91kWh NCM battery.

 

[Zprime29]

I personally don't trust the SOH number. All I care about is my max useable energy when at 100% SOC (displayed).

 

[PJnc284]

I'll go with #4. SOH is a hot garbage metric. Those who trust it are probably the ones that complain that their GOM lies.

 

[RickLightning]

Isn't the mach e battery LFP as opposed to our NCM?

Nope. Both are NCM. SR starting mid 2023 is LFP.

 

[bmwhitetx]

I go with option 1 but modified:

1) Better Different battery technology on Lightnings as compared to Mach-Es?

After experiencing two failed modules, not sure the Lightning tech is better, just different. Son who lives with us has a Mach-E. Worse SOH, fewer miles, but lives outdoors while my Lightning is garaged.

 

[StevenC56]

Nope. Both are NCM. SR starting mid 2023 is LFP.

It was my understanding that starting in 2025 even the extended range (88kWh) on the non-GT/Rally models are LPF.

 

[RickLightning]

It was my understanding that starting in 2025 even the extended range (88kWh) on the non-GT/Rally models are LPF.

No

 

[StevenC56]

No

Why do they have both an 88 and a 91 kWh battery if they are essentially the same then?

 

[RickLightning]

Why do they have both an 88 and a 91 kWh battery if they are essentially the same then?

"They reduced the size of four cell modules, making the new 88 kWh pack 4P90S. The GTs will continue to have the existing 91 kWh 4P94S pack."

https://www.macheforum.com/site/threads/2025-mach-e-order-guide.41979/page-9#post-909347

 

[Jseis]

…that their GOM lies.

Every time I see “GOM“ I think you youngins are a lost cause. Here’s what a ‘62 VW Beetle gave you for a GOM to roll down the highway on. I drove 56 miles on “R” and gassed up to 10 gallons the next morning. It took real math & experience to use the gauge.

 

[Maquis]

Every time I see “GOM“ I think you youngins are a lost cause. Here’s what a ‘62 VW Beetle gave you for a GOM to roll down the highway on. I drove 56 miles on “R” and gassed up to 10 gallons the next morning. It took real math & experience to use the gauge.

I had a 68. Interestingly, “R” meant reserve. You supposedly had 1 gallon remaining between the extremes of the little horizontal tick mark.
At least that was the U.S. spiel. It was probably 4 liters or some other SI measurement.

 

[Mpi]

I suspect we have a much more robust cooling system to allow for towing.

 

[Jseis]

I had a 68. Interestingly, “R” meant reserve. You supposedly had 1 gallon remaining between the extremes of the little horizontal tick mark.
At least that was the U.S. spiel. It was probably 4 liters or some other SI measurement.

The weird thing is it’s a physical gauge with a float but on an apparent logarithmic scale (perhaps due to the tank being slightly narrower at top?). I‘Ll never forget rolling into South Bend at 6:05 pm on a Friday night and the Shell station was closed. I drove the next 56 miles at 30 mph knowing that the Bug was good for nearly 40+ mpg at that speed. All I needed was 1.5 gallons. I got home an hour and a half later & told my Dad that.. don’t know if it’ll start in the morning. Well, it did and I high tailed it to the local gas station 1 mile west and filled it up with 10.0 gallons. LOL, it had been stone cold empty.

 

[Adventureboy]

@RickLightning I agree with your observation.
My 3.5-year-old MME settled around 96.5% during year 1 and has stayed there. My 3-year-old Lightning settled at 99.5% almost immediately after purchase and is still there.

Both HVBs are Extended Range NMC technology.
Both have the same patterns of charging to 85%-90% SOC daily (summer vs winter) and kept out of single digits, with a charge to 100% an average of once per month.

Driving patterns are different. MME is driven 6-7 days per week for daily commuting and an occasional road trip. Lightning is driven 3-4 days per week, but longer trips result in a bit higher mileage per year.

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