The “E”: Mini’s New Electric Car
The BMW Group is about to become the first manufacturer of premium automobiles to deploy a fleet of nearly 500 all electric vehicles for private use in daily traffic. Powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor and fed by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery, the vehicle will be nearly silent and emissions free.
The Mini E will have a range of about 150 miles and will initially be offered to select private and corporate customers in California, New York and New Jersey, but will first be given its world premiere at the LA Auto Show on November 19th and 20th, 2008.
As for its speed, BMW claims that it will offer acceleration to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds with a top speed that is electronically limited to 95 mph.
- » See also: Leo Motors CEO Dr. Robert Kang on the Future of Electric Vehicles
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BMW Group says that putting 500 cars on the road under real daily traffic conditions will make it possible to gain widely applicable hand-on experience. Evaluating these finding will generate valuable know-how, which will be factored into the engineering of mass-produced vehicles.
Based on the current Mini model, the car will initially be available as a two-seater. (The space in the back seat will initially be taken up by the lithium-ion battery.) The battery can be plugged into all standard power outlets and its charge time is strongly dependent on the voltage and amperage of the electricity flowing through the grid. That’s why, in the USA, buyers will receive a wall-box that will ship with every Mini E. The wall-box will be installed in the customer’s garage, enabling higher amperage. Wall-boxes will fully recharge the batteries after two-and-a-half hours.
The Mini E’s styling is a bit different. A specially designed logo in Yellow, depicting a power plug in the shape of an “E” is set against a silver backdrop. It will be applied to the roof, the front and back, and the charger port lid.
Production of the approximately 500 cars will take place at the company’s Oxford and Munich sites and is scheduled for completion before the end of 2008.
If you’re like me, you’ll be eagerly anticipating seeing these new cars on the road.
Source: BMW Group Press Club
gm -i still remember flint michigan were you made 10 million in profit and closed the plant to ship to mexico paying workers a 10th ; and didnt a gm ceo say once even God couldnt close gm ? i like to see americans work even if under toyota///billion and million dollar ceos of greed usa you need ethics in managing
We all know all electric is the way to go and the technology is there. I hope you have the balls to deliver but watch you back.
Good luck.
Mini fan
I’d love to be a selected person, but I live in teh Washngton, D.C area.
Is there any chance?
[...] Mini E: Starting later this year, Mini will give about 500 people in New York, New Jersey, and California a chance to test out this new all-electric Mini through an exclusive lease program. The vehicle has a range of about 150 miles on a single charge and carries a 204 hp (150kW) electric motor that can get it from 0-62 mph in 8.5 seconds. Here’s hoping the E lease program goes well and they decide to offer the car to the general consumer market. The E will be making it’s public debut at the LA Auto Show and I may have a chance to actually drive one. [...]
Over priced golf cart with no future.
[...] first everybody thought the 2009 Mini E limited lease meant that a future general market electric car release from the BMW Group would be, of course, a [...]
BMW is not going to produce the Mini E.
Could have had electric cars years ago if the oil companies and car manufacturers had not stopped it! Watch the DVD “Who Killed the Electric Car”!
Is this another High Priced EV that requires a year’s waiting list just to get into a vehicle? The Oil Companies can restrict their oil production and bring up the price of gas. EV companies hold back production to keep prices inflated to where the common person can’t afford their pricey vehicles.
When and if succedes why not incorporate a small petrol charger waiting to get mobile beats sitting on your arse