Ford Isn't Building An All-Electric Mustang—There's Just One Problem

Ford's new positioning has moved away from earlier speculation that the next-generation Mustang could adopt an electric platform.

Speaking last year, CEO Jim Farley said, “One thing I can promise, however, is that we will never make an all-electric Mustang.” Except Ford already put a Mustang badge on an electric crossover, so is the Mach-E not a Mustang then? To be fair, Farley has been consistent with his stance regarding the Mach-E—Farley inherited the EV crossover project just in time for launch after it was developed under the previous CEO, Jim Hackett.

Anyways, with the semantics out of the way, a new Automotive News report says the gas-powered pony car will continue well into the 2030s, with no firm timeline for a battery-only version.

For now, the seventh-generation Mustang, launched for 2024, will continue with traditional combustion power. The eighth generation isn’t expected until the early 2030s, leaving time for Ford to explore other options. While a full EV is off the table, some form of electrification isn’t ruled out.

Last year, Farley let slip that hybrid systems tested on the Mustang already “work well for performance drivers,” even if a hybrid model isn’t expected this generation, it's a clear indication of what Ford might be thinking. With the company firmly committed to WEC LMDh racing in 2027, its engineers are going to learn a whole lot about high-performance powertrain integration and calibration that could influence future Mustang powertrains.

Other manufacturers like Audi, BMW, and Lamborghini have already enjoyed success with hybrid V8 powertrains. Meanwhile, crosstown rival Chevrolet hybridized the Corvette and absolutely trounced the best Mustang Ford has to offer.

So there's no reason for Ford to shy away from the technology if it means keeping the 5.0L Coyote V8 around for a while longer. Farley himself already said Ford will keep the V8 alive “as long as God and the politicians let us.”

Such a setup could enhance both power and efficiency. The current 5.0-liter V8 in the Dark Horse already makes 500 horsepower, and a hybrid-assisted version could push that figure even higher. The limited-run Mustang GTD, with its 815-hp 5.2-liter Predator V8, also shows the kind of ceiling Ford could push toward with hybrid help—potentially brushing or breaking the 1,000-hp mark—hello Corvette ZR1X.

For now, though, the Mustang remains firmly rooted in its muscle car heritage. It sounds like an easy decision for Dearborn, especially after watching Dodge experiment with electrified performance in the Charger before being forced to fast-track combustion versions and reconsider adding a V8 to the car's engine lineup.

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