DTE Energy’s EV Test Ride Day in Michigan + My Ford Mustang Mach‑E Drive Impressions
September 2, 2022
Michigan is a car state through and through, so I’m always curious what EV adoption looks like on the ground here—not just online debates or spec sheets.
I spent a day in Ann Arbor at a DTE Energy-sponsored EV test ride event where regular residents could get behind the wheel of some of the most talked-about electric vehicles right now. The vibe was exactly what a lot of first-timers need: low-pressure, hands-on, and focused on “does this actually fit my life?”
Here’s how the day went and what I learned after driving the Ford Mustang Mach‑E.
Why an EV test ride event actually matters
If you’ve never driven an EV, a lot of the hesitation is totally understandable. Range anxiety, charging questions, upfront cost, and the simple fear of the unknown are real barriers.
What I liked about this kind of event is that it flips the experience from abstract to personal in about five minutes. You stop arguing about EVs in theory and start thinking about them like a normal vehicle decision: comfort, visibility, throttle response, braking feel, and whether the tech feels intuitive.
The lineup (and why it was smart to have options)
This event had a mix of vehicles people are genuinely cross-shopping right now, including:
Ford F-150 Lightning
Polestar 2
Rivian R1T
Tesla Model S
Chevy Bolt
Hummer EV
Volkswagen ID.4
Ford Mustang Mach‑E (my drive)
That variety matters because it reframes EVs as categories—not a single “EV experience.” A truck shopper and a compact commuter shopper don’t have the same needs, and seeing everything in one place helps people understand that quickly.
First look at the Mustang Mach‑E: different Mustang, still performance-minded
I’ll be honest: visually, the Mach‑E doesn’t read “classic Mustang” to me at first glance. It has its own thing going on, and I think that’s part of why it’s been such a conversation-starter.
But once I got settled in and started driving, the intent made sense. The identity here is less about old-school styling cues and more about capability—especially the way it delivers power.
On the road: smooth, responsive, and instantly confidence-building
The first thing I noticed pulling out was how smooth it felt. The acceleration comes on clean, and the response is immediate without feeling jerky.
I drove it in “Unbridled” mode (the more performance-focused setting) and it felt eager—like it wanted more open road than the event route could really give it. Even without doing anything aggressive, the car communicates that EV “instant response” personality in a way that’s easy to understand.
The brake-hold behavior was surprisingly calming
One feature that stood out right away was the brake hold behavior: once it’s “holding,” I could release the brake and the vehicle just stayed put until I touched the accelerator.
That’s a small thing, but for new EV drivers (and honestly anyone who’s dealt with hills, drive-thrus, or stop-and-go traffic), it reduces stress. It made the car feel more cooperative and less fatiguing.
One-pedal driving: if you ride e-bikes, you’ll adapt fast
I switched over to one-pedal driving during the route, and it clicked quickly.
The best way I can describe it is controlled deceleration that feels consistent and predictable—more like modulating a single input than bouncing between accelerator and brake constantly. If you’ve spent time on e-bikes or any tech where you’re used to managing speed smoothly, it feels familiar.
Also, it’s easy to see how this could reduce brake wear over time since you’re leaning more on regenerative braking in normal driving.
Whisper mode: the car really does “calm down”
I also tried “Whisper” mode, and the difference was obvious.
It didn’t feel like the car was being restricted in a frustrating way—it simply felt less eager. The power delivery became more relaxed, which I could see being useful for everyday cruising, new drivers, or anyone trying to drive efficiently and smoothly.
Range anxiety isn’t just about batteries—it’s about confidence
One of the most practical takeaways from the day was that “range anxiety” is often really “charging anxiety.” People worry about:
Where to charge
How easy it is to access chargers
Whether charging will be equitable and available
Whether infrastructure will keep up as more EVs hit the road
Events like this help because they’re not just selling a car—they’re helping people picture the whole ownership loop: driving, charging, and living with it.
Incentives and the bigger Michigan picture
Michigan may not be pushing EV adoption the same way some other states do, but there’s still momentum coming from utility programs and broader infrastructure investment.
At the event, I learned DTE has been building out its approach through education, incentives, and infrastructure planning. There was also discussion around a proposed income-eligible EV rebate (noted as $1,500 if approved for income-qualified customers), aimed at helping with the upfront cost barrier.
The way I see it: if Michigan wants EVs to feel normal, we need two things at the same time—grid readiness and everyday-driver confidence.
What We Like
Low-pressure environment to actually experience EVs instead of debating them
The Mach‑E felt very smooth and instantly responsive
Brake hold made stop-and-go driving feel easier
One-pedal driving felt natural and consistent (especially if you’re used to e-bike style modulation)
Whisper mode provided a noticeable, calmer driving character
Things To Consider
If you expect a traditional Mustang look and feel, the Mach‑E’s design and vibe may take a mental reset
Range anxiety often comes down to charging access, not daily miles—your local charging reality matters
Incentives and rebate programs can change or require approval/eligibility, so it’s worth confirming what’s current before you buy
Final Thoughts
Driving the Mustang Mach‑E reminded me why test rides are such a powerful EV “converter.” You can talk about torque, regen, and drive modes all day, but the real shift happens when you feel how effortless and smooth an EV can be in normal driving.
For Michigan drivers on the fence, I’d recommend finding an event like this (or arranging a longer test drive) before making up your mind. The Mach‑E, in particular, felt like a solid bridge between performance attitude and daily usability—especially once I experienced how natural one-pedal driving and the different modes felt in practice.
Links
DTE Energy: https://www.newlook.dteenergy.com
Ford Mustang Mach-E: https://www.ford.com/suvs/mach-e
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/