Electric Mini E to debut at the LA Auto Show

October 23rd, 2008

Mini E EV

The experimental BMW Mini E electric vehicle will be officially presented at the upcoming motor show in Los Angeles.

Powered by a 204hp, 162lb-ft electric motor, the car have an electronically limited top speed of 153km/h (95mph) and will accelerate from zero to 62mph in about 8.5 seconds. C’mon BMW, you can do better than this!

The Mini EV has its cargo and back-seat area completely consumed by a 35kWh battery pack.

Consisting of 5088 cells arranged in 48 modules, the lithium-ion package weighs around 260kg and allows for a travel range of some 150 miles when fully charged. Charging time is said to be about 2.5 hours but you will have to use a special quick charger to achieve such a speed.

Starting early next year, only 500 EV’s will be leased to individual and corporate customers in California, New York and New Jersey, but the company also plans to deliver some Mini E’s to its European customers, too.