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.
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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
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October 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
I hope they come to Australia soon. Pity there’s no pricing information mentioned. Thanks for the post – I Digg you
October 19th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Hmm…interesting. How much does it cost?
October 19th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
LOL, The “Mini-E” I love it!
Jiff
http://www.online-privacy.se.tc
October 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
What if you don’t have a garage and live in an apartment building? How are you supposed to charge it then?
October 19th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Thats funny. Looks like they are doing the exact same thing GM did with the EV1 over 10 years ago. Thats got to feel like a kick in the nuts huh GM. Now your about to go bankrupt, when you could have been in the front of the pack. I hope all that money from big oil was worth it…
October 19th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
You can sign up to become a test driver here:
httP://www.minispace.com
October 19th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
This vehicle runs on electricity, and electricity generation (in most cases) is not emission-free.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:11 am
When can I get one? I drive 122 miles a day and this would save a lot.
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:10 am
Now that’s what I’m talking about! A nice small car with a good engine. This is fantastic!
October 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 am
Wow more if these cars and we won’t have for the dot for no fuel taxes will get collected Look how many people will be out of work. At least coal and nuclear plants that produce energy happy
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
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
October 25th, 2008 at 5:35 am
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
October 26th, 2008 at 12:13 am
I’d love to be a selected person, but I live in teh Washngton, D.C area.
Is there any chance?
November 10th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
[...] 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. [...]
December 21st, 2008 at 3:55 am
Over priced golf cart with no future.
January 16th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
[...] 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 [...]
January 16th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
BMW is not going to produce the Mini E.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
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”!
March 25th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
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.
April 12th, 2009 at 5:22 am
When and if succedes why not incorporate a small petrol charger waiting to get mobile beats sitting on your arse
January 2nd, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Google, Torrent, the movie “Who Killed The Electric Car” study it closely, weep for America, and get on with building a better place for your grandchildren! While you are at it gos see this monument the Detroit Automaker corperatists have left America:
http://uprooted.jessicareeder.com/2009/09/detroit-and-the-100-dollar-house/comment-page-1/#comment-3003
http://www.marchandmeffre.com/detroit/index.html