The new electric model is the first fruit of an $11.5 billion investment in electric vehicles that Ford announced last year. That it is an S.U.V. may broaden its appeal in the current era as Americans abandon cars in droves and flock to S.U.V.s and trucks. And the new Mustang will be fast , with electric motors capable of generating tremendous power from a standing start.

General Motors is likewise spending billions to develop electric models, including a Cadillac S.U.V. Fiat Chrysler, whose investments in electric vehicles have been hesitant, is not as far along. For now, it plans to offer hybrid versions of its Jeep S.U.V.s and Ram trucks, and possibly some battery-powered models.

While battery technology has improved enough to allow electric cars to travel 300 miles on a single charge, automakers must overcome drivers’ worries about running out of power while on the road — a phobia known as range anxiety. Tesla has addressed that concern in part by building a network of charging stations exclusively for its cars.

“That infrastructure is a big advantage for Tesla,” said Mike Ramsey, an analyst for the research firm Gartner.

Ford customers will be able to use charging stations operated by two companies, Electrify America and Greenlots, which together have 12,000 locations around the United States. The base Mustang Mach E will have a range of more than 200 miles, said Ted Cannis, Ford’s global director of electrification . A higher-priced version will be able to go 300 miles on a charge.

The five-seat S.U.V. borrows some of the features that Tesla has pioneered. Most of the interior controls are on a large touch screen on the center console, and Ford said it would be able to add or improve features through over-the-air software updates.

It will have a starting price of about $45,000, though customers will be able to take advantage of a $7,500 federal tax credit, Mr. Cannis said.