The CEO of the EV charging company ChargePoint explains why he ordered a Tesla Model Y instead of a Ford Mustang Mach-E (TSLA, F)

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Pasquale Romano

  • Pasquale Romano, the CEO of the electric-vehicle charging company ChargePoint, chose to buy Tesla’s Model Y as his next vehicle over the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
  • Romano said it was a close call, but the Model Y’s earlier release date and Romano’s familiarity with the Tesla user experience pushed the Model Y over the edge.
  • The Model Y and Mustang Mach-E are similar on paper, though the Model Y has an edge in range, starting price, seating capacity, and cargo space.
  • Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.

When it came time for Pasquale Romano, the CEO of the electric-vehicle charging company ChargePoint, to choose his next EV, it was a close call between Tesla’s Model Y SUV and the Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV.

Ultimately, the Model Y won out due to its release date and Romano’s experience with Tesla’s Model S sedan, Romano told Business Insider.

The Model Y will likely become available much earlier than the Mustang Mach-E. Tesla has said the first deliveries will begin by the end of March, while the Mustang Mach-E won’t be released until the end of this year, after the lease on Romano’s Model S ends.

Romano’s familiarity with the Tesla user experience was also a major selling point. He praised the Model S’ storage capacity, performance, and tech features, including its ability to receive wireless updates and Autopilot, Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system.

“I’m used to a Tesla experience,” Romano said. “I like the user experience in the car. I’m accustomed to it, so I don’t need to make that change.”

Still, it was a tough call choosing the Model Y over the Mustang Mach-E, Romano said.

“I’ve got nothing bad to say about the Mach-E,” he said. “That was a bold move from Ford. They’re going to hit the bullseye with that one. I’d be happy to own that car if I didn’t have something else.”

On paper, the Model Y and Mustang Mach-E are similar in many areas, though the Model Y has an edge in range, starting price, seating capacity, and cargo space. It remains to be seen which of the two electric-vehicles shoppers will prefer, though there have been signs from Tesla and Ford suggesting each could ending up ranking among the best-selling EVs. 

The Mustang Mach-E’s “First Edition” trim sold out in December, about a month after Ford started accepting orders for it. While Ford didn’t specify the exact number of reservations it received for the First Edition Mustang Mach-E, a company representative told Kelley Blue Book in November that it would sell at least 1,000 and fewer than 10,000.

While Tesla hasn’t shared order numbers for the Model Y, its Model 3 sedan, which shares a platform with the Model Y, has been the best-selling electric-vehicle in the US for the past two years by a significant margin, according to estimates from InsideEVs. Following the Model 3’s success, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has predicted the Model Y will be even bigger.

“I think it will outsell S, [Tesla’s Model X SUV], and 3, combined,” he said last year.

SEE ALSO: Every new electric car you can buy in the US right now, from the cheapest to the most expensive

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