MINI News
-
BMW recently began leasing the electric MINI to consumers in select areas of the US. The program entailed an application period of nearly 8 months and a detailed selection process that lands the electric car in the hands of a few select individuals. At nearly $850 a month, it's far from cheap. But the program is only considered a trial because the cars will be returned to BMW at the end of one year for evaluation. With the MINI E in the publics hands all is well, right? Not so says plug-in advocacy group Plug in America. They feel BMW may be exploiting a loophole in California's CARB...
-
BMW's MINI E Program Will Lead to New BMW City Electric Car in 2012BMW is currently leasing 450 electric MINIs outfitted with a 205 HP AC propulsion drivetrain and 35 kwh lithium-ion battery. This author is one of the "pioneers" involved in the field test. BMWs plan is to take back the cars at the end of the one-year lease and dismantle them to learn how they...
Lyle Dennis -
-
MINI E Update: We Get the Scoop On the Lease and What the Car Is Like
MINI E Could Hit A Home Run If It Can Make It To Market
Jonathan McGrew -
What it's Like to Lease and Drive the MINI E Electric Car
A few days ago I took delivery of MINI E #412 in New York. I will have the car for a 1-year close ended lease. As an electric car enthusiast and advocate, actually getting my own EV for full time use to charge and recharge is a dream come true. Though not traditionally a big MINI buff the fact that...
Lyle Dennis -
First Drive: Mini E Electric Vehicle Is Far From Ready For Primetime
BMW rarely screws up, but the 450 Mini E test cars now going to eager US drivers are markedly worse than prototypes from other makers
John Voelcker -
With careful shopping, you may be able to score a fun car and still get a
-
EV Market Competition: MINI E Test Vehicles Leased In Early 2009
MINI Gives Consumers Another Reason to Join the Club
Jonathan McGrew -
More Small Diesels for the US, from Mini and Audi?
Many long-distance drivers would love to get their hands on the small, economical diesels sold in Europe. Soon, they may.
John Voelcker -
2009 MINI Cooper Clubman: Will You Rock One in 2009?
The MINI stretches out for its consumer legs.
Jonathan McGrew -
Small Cars: Is It the '80s All Over Again?
Economic downturns and small hatchbacks seem to go hand-in-hand.
Jonathan McGrew -
NYC announces deal for 10 MINI Es
Of the 50 MINI Es that MINI USA is making available for fleet use testing, today New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced that ten of them will be prowling his streets, looking for graffitti, potholes, and other unsightly blemishes as part of the city's Street Condition Observation Unit...
Jennifer Knightstep -
This site has been covering news of the Mini E for over a month, so it shouldn't surprise you that Mini's parent company, BMW, is expected to unveil some EV concepts in the very near future. According to BMW Blog, the German automaker will showcase "Concept eDrive" at the Geneva Auto Show in March 2009. Details about Concept eDrive aren't certain, but bloggers in the know expect a 1 or 3-series model with the same electric powertrain used in the Mini E. Excited? There's more. The BMW Z Vision Concept is expected to appear at either the Frankfurt or Tokyo Auto Show next year. Sources close to...
-
Nominees for the 2009 Green Car Vision Award
The Green Car Journal has announced the five nominees for their 2009 Green Car Vision Award: the Chevrolet Volt, Fisker Karma, Honda FCX Clarity, Mitsubishi iMiEV, and the MINI E. It's worth noting that despite the fact that so many critics have declared the electric car revolution won't be...
Jennifer Knightstep -
Could the MINI E reproduce?
Rumors are flying that the popular all-electric MINI E may well spawn a group of electric BMWs, first a 5 or 7 series (the larger platform would be a better fit with the bulky, heavy lithium-ion battery packs), then perhaps a 3 series and a small SUV. There hasn't been an official media...
Jennifer Knightstep -
LA Auto Show: MINI E Revealed
BMWs Mini has been discussing the launch of a new street-legal electric car that will be launched in North America in Jaury 2009. It is basically a retrofitted MINI that has an electric motor and drivetrain supplied by A/C propulsion. It will house a 35 kwh lithium-ion battery that will replace the...
Lyle Dennis -
MINI E Is Mighty Efficient
The MINI brand is synonymous with fuel efficient cars that are fun to drive. MINI is about to take fuel efficiency one step further. As part of a pilot program to study electric vehicles, MINI will release 500 "MINI E" pure electric cars powered by lithium ion batteries. Select MINI devotees will...
Robert Scardino
