BMW Mini Electric Cars Available in U.S. From Summer 2009
BMW has announced plans to sell all-electric versions of its popular Mini car in the U.S., starting from summer 2009.
Speaking on Tuesday, Mini USA Vice President, Jim McDowell, said that the company is still deciding whether to sell or lease the vehicles. He remained tight-lipped over exactly where in the country the cars will be available, and declined to comment on other aspects, such as range, power, charging time and price.
He also said that speculation that Mini will sell 500 EVs in California next year was premature, since no exact plans have yet been finalised. Mini will apparently make a further announcement later this year, possibly to coincide with the Los Angeles Auto Show.
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Commenting on the trend for U.S. buyers to move towards smaller, more fuel-efficient cars, he said, “The world is moving in our direction. The overall market is down 10 percent, but small car sales are up 11 percent. People are trading in Ford F-150’s and Hummer’s for Mini’s.”
Mini join a growing band of car-makers planning to sell electric cars over the next few years, including global brands like Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi and Mercedes, as well as new start-ups and independent companies such as Tesla and Th!nk. Given the Mini’s style credentials and proven customer demand, this announcement is bound to ruffle a few feathers amongst the competition.
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Image Credit – 18percentgrey on Flickr via a Creative Commons License
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July 23rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Can’t wait to try one of those electric cars out. Must be weird starting your car without the familiar sound.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
If the U.S. had chosen to be a moral people, and leaving Iraqi oil alone, and following Al Gore, decided to develop the South Western deserts, with the technology of the times, solar/thermal-molten sodium – electricity installations, for the same amount of money as that war cost, today, we would be tapping into the largest, renewable, sustainable, energy source the world has ever known. It would have paid every energy bill in the U.S.A. for maintenance fees only – FOREVER! It would be equal to an oil field that can NEVER run dry! Low cost electric power, and hydrogen gas for all!
After the millions of murders, and billions of dollars, borrowed from our children’s futures and pissed away, with thousands of our own and others maimed and disfigured for life, millions of families utterly destroyed, ours and theirs, we are no closer to Iraqi oil production than the Iraqis are!
The next time you hear a blithering idiot spoiled brat, drunken, drug addicted, sociopath, rich daddie’s Arabic saber dancing boy, stand at a microphone and threaten YOUR safety with someone ELSE’S weapons, remember what you lost America, remember, and weep!
T.Boone Pickens is your last profet – this time, listen and move on what he says to avoid more death and destruction. Arab oil is not blood! We don’t need to depend on it! We can be free again! Hydrogen cars are a technological reality today, BMW’s included.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Sweet! I wonder if BMW will sell the electric version in Japan, too.
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Now, how does that make you feel… way to complain in the comments section of a random site. douche
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I agree with Uncle B. The money the Iraq war has cost us could have been spent on US energy innovation instead. Let the Arab nations fight over their black goop. Solar, Wind, Biofuels, Nuclear, Coal – efficient and environmentally sound use of these sources could free us from foreign oil.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Can someone please tell me how an article about an electric car has ANYTHING to do with politics? If this was an article about electric cars, in general, compared to gas cars, there might be some warrant to mention politics, but this is about the Mini.
Also, if you’re going to chide a nation, at least spell “prophet” correctly.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Well said, Uncle B. Too bad Americans are only just beginning to wake up to the truths you so eloquently mentioned (or still asleep, like Ha). I’m not convinced hydrogen cars are the answer, but hey, I’ll try one, or one that runs on ethanol, or natural gas, or vegetable oil, whatever. Hell, just give me a plug-in Mini. And soon!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Whoa, this is amazingly fantastic news! I bought a 2006 MINI Cooper and I’m so in love with it! If I dig these, I may just trade it in and go all electric!
Go BMW!!!!
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:52 pm
Will you morons stop talking about Iraq already.
Al Gore is a toolbag who uses 10x as much energy as the average American anyway.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:58 pm
Uncle B is a arrogant jerk who doesn’t understand what this articles about. He just uses it for his stupid monologue. Just remember, Al Gore (the genius) was beaten by George Bush (the idiot). Al Gore = Uncle B (loser).
It’s a beautiful car and I can’t wait to drive one.
Sorry about my monologue. I live in the California Bay Area and have to listen to the garbage all the time.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Uncle B. I have to ask, your refering to Ted Kennedy right? Not nice to kick the man when he is down.
“The next time you hear a blithering idiot spoiled brat, drunken, drug addicted, sociopath, rich daddie’s Arabic saber dancing boy,”
July 24th, 2008 at 1:46 am
“Ford F-150’s”
Maybe.
“Hummer’s”
No.
“Mini’s”
No.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Aunt B said of Uncle B -”Also, if you’re going to chide a nation, at least spell “prophet” correctly.”
Why would you expect that, as nothing else he said in his overlong comment bore any relationship to ‘correct.’
July 24th, 2008 at 2:58 am
Electric cars have EVERYTHING to do with politics, don’t kid yourself
July 24th, 2008 at 4:24 am
CANT WAIT TO BUY ME ONE !
When an american once in a while make finally sense, is being honest and trow on everybody’s face the real truth, there is always the “classic” idiot that talk without thinking that the world might be reading what he is writing and laughing about how arrogant and stupid he is.
JIM, It is time for people like you to be deported on another planet among with IDIOTS like you.
JIM, shut up and go have a crap-bath. That seems the only place for imbecils like you and your friend “dablubush”.
I SUPPORT AND ADMIRE UNCLE B.
a FOREIGN!
July 24th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Cant’s wait for the next report. The Mini is still a little too small for me. It is though a great concept from across the pond that will help drivers with less consumption, while still looking sporty.
I thought it was spelled “profit” when it comes to T. Boone Pickens plans for alternative energy.
July 25th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Sounds good, but it all depends on how long it takes to charge and how far it will take you.
July 27th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I support Uncle B. Don’t tell me Iraq war has nothing to do with oil. Don’t tell me killing so many people is justifiable. I am not a US citizen, but I think US can do much better than that.
July 31st, 2008 at 1:49 am
Good for BMW – always a leader in technologies. First the hydrogen 7 series, land speed record for hydrogen cars (a modified Z8) and now this.
Good cars and environmentally friendly. Nice job guys.
August 27th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
While I am not opposed to electric cars, one should consider all of the costs and benefits. If you live really close to work, or have other associated costs, then it may make sense. London is a great example of where electric cars may make sense. I read a great article titled “Electric Car Finds its Niche” at http://economicefficiency.blogspot.com/2008/08/electric-car-finds-its-niche.html The lady talks about how the car helped her to save a ton of money, as well where it doesn’t work well with her.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 pm
[...] BMW Mini Electric Cars Coming to U.S. For Summer 2009 [...]
October 20th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
I wonder why private citizen like pikens who is eager to have a renewable source of energy such as wind power. I personally believe that are our government leaders supposed to be the one aggressively to have all kinds of renewable source of energy.