Coming Soon, Mini’s Electric Kool Aid Test

[Neil D]

Highlights From the LA Auto Show Is it real? Is Mini, the iconic minicar maker, ready to take the plunge into electric vehicles? Only time, and 500 models set to be released for long-term test drives, will tell.

What they said: “The know-how gained from this project will help us perfect the Mini E’s innovative drive system and speed production of a mega city car,” said Natalie Bauters, a Mini spokeswoman.

What they didn’t say: While General Motors has been plodding along and burning through the dollars developing its Chevrolet Volt “extended-range” electric vehicle (now due in late 2010), Mini, with help from its parent, BMW, took a mere 10 months to develop the Mini E.

What makes it tick? A 150-kilowatt electric motor that produces 204 horsepower, a high-performance lithium-ion battery pack (good for 150 miles on a full charge) and a single-stage helical gearbox that sends the power out to the front wheels. From a standing start, it will hit 60 m.p.h. in about 8.5 seconds; maximum speed is limited to 95 m.p.h. Unfortunately, the battery pack’s size wipes out the two rear seats, making the Mini E a somewhat impractical two-seater.

How much, how soon? Not available in any store. But the Mini E will start appearing on a street near you (if you live in the Los Angeles or New York City metro areas) early next year. You can sign up on a special Web site (http://www.minispace.com/en_us/projects/electric-mini-e/) for a place in line, to be considered to lease one of the 500 test vehicles for a year. Warning: some 9,500 people have already signed up, the company says. But don’t despair, the field could be winnowed down considerably by the monthly lease fee of $850.

How’s it look? Like good green fun, in a convenient to-go size container.

[Doug]

I signed up and they picked me but when I found out the lease price I said :0 Mini Coopers are really nice cars, if I had the money I would get one.

[Neil D]

Was the price $850?

[Doug]

Yes. And you don't get the option to purchase them after the lease. So basically your money goes to weed out the people who are not serious I guess. I don't know too many people that can afford $850 per month on a car.

[Neil D]

What??!?!?!?

You're RENTNG the car????

What kind of car buying is that????

If I am shelling out that kind of money, I had better get one that can haul a truck load of bees, the seat had better be able to lay back to rest in it, and come with a whole host of extras...

.....of course, if the price comes down to say, $75/month, I seriously might concider 'renting' one for the life of the car....

[Doug]

So basically their target market are yuppies or dinks.

[Dr. Shane]

If a person drives 125 miles a day and gas is $4.00/gal they would save an estimated $500/month in fuel costs assuming the electrical cost to charge the car is minimum. That would bring the $850 monthly charge to more like $350.

Biggest problem I see is only a 150 mile range. If it had a longer range one could put on more daily miles and save even more money on gas.

[Doug]

Actually you can buy an Electric Mini Cooper already, but not from Mini.

http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/order

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=742312030

On their website they also have an electrified Toyota Yaris, which is $20k cheaper but not as stylish as the Mini.

100-150 mile range is perfect for me, my commute is 14 miles roundtrip, and if I needed to go more than 150 miles in a day hopefully I would have a regular car in the garage just for longer trips. I think the best solutions now are for hybrid cars, this Mini Cooper modded by PML Tchnologies has electric nmotors in the wheels, over 600hp, 0-60 in less than 4 seconds, and a 900 mile range with the small motor in back. And it still has back seats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZGqbQ8WvM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Sy7XnJBPE&feature=related