Overview
The Mini Electric, also referred to as the Mini Cooper SE is another model, in the line up of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from the German automotive giant, the BMW Group. The 3 door hatch Mini Electric incorporates technology from the successful BMWi3 electric vehicle, to include the EV battery and electric motor. The Mini Electric is the commencement of a bold new era for the celebrated British automotive brand.
- Launch: March 2020
- Pre-orders now open on the Mini UK website. As of July 2019, up to 40,000 pre-orders
- Mini Electric manufactured at Plant Oxford. The production site is the ‘birthplace and heart of Mini’, with over 3 million cars manufactured since 2001
- The first all-electric car in the Mini range and retains the ‘iconic’ design
- A good all-round performer for urban emission free driving
- Positioned as an ‘affordable’ EV. The electric car qualifies for the plug-in car grant (PiCG) of up to £3,500. Starting price £24,400
Battery And Range
- Battery capacity: 32.6 kWh
- Battery type: lithium-ion
- Range (WLTP): 134 – 145 miles
- Capable of rapid charging
Power & Performance
- 0-62 mph: 7.3 sec
- Top speed: 93 mph
- Brake horsepower: 181 bhp
- Torque: 270 Nm
Reviews
Comprehensive reviews yet to be published, as reviewers have not been able to conduct a full driving test. However, a shorter test has been conducted on the production-spec Mini Electric.
Pros And Cons
- Styling ‘iconic’ Mini: looks like a conventional Mini, an attractive and successful design
- Affordable price point compared to other premium EVs and also compared to higher spec conventional Mini’s
- Though a smaller battery, the range is more than ample for urban commuting (Mini installed a smaller battery, as it reduces the weight of the car). According to Mini, the majority of customers drive up to 25 miles a day
- For longer distance driving, rivals have better all-electric car models
- Lower weight and instant torque makes the car ‘entertaining and fun’ to drive. The EV rides well and has the familiar three drive modes (Standard, Mid and Sport)
- A familiar interior. The Mini Electric interior very similar to conventional Mini models, except for some changes from analog to digital
- Impressive on-board technology, to include regenerative braking
- Given the similarity in looks, feel and drive, the Mini Electric is strongly placed to convert Mini petrol or diesel owners to zero-emission electric driving
e-zoomed View
We have seen automotive manufactures take two very different approaches to new electric vehicle models. The first approach, has been to design the car as ‘futuristic’. A good example is the BMW i3 electric car. But the other approach has been to retain as much ‘similarity and familiarity’ for consumers switching from internal combustion engine (ICE) driving to electric driving. The Audi e-tron and the Mini Electric are good examples of of the latter approach. We at e-zoomed believe both approaches are valid. What will matter the most, will be the delivery of a quality product at an affordable price. We believe, Mini Electric is well positioned in this regards.
For those current owners of conventional Mini’s or other petrol/ diesel cars, who are using the car mostly for urban driving or local commutes, we would recommend making the switch to the Mini Electric and commence your journey into the world of zero-emission driving.
