18 March 2010

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BMW MINI E

You know that electric cars have gone mainstream, when one of the most iconic vehicles in history gets an electric makeover. That is the case with the BMW MINI, with an electric version of the car – the MINI E – unveiled prior to the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2008.

History of the BMW MINI E

Few vehicles can boast a more notable history than the MINI. The car was manufactured by the British Motor Corporation and its successors from 1959-2000 under the name Mini before it was capitalised as MINI so that it could be distinguished from its predecessor. This also marked a takeover from German manufacturer BMW although production continued in the UK.

The day before the start of the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2008, BMW announced the production of a MINI powered by an electric motor known as the MINI E. It is a two-door version of the Cooper hatchback.

The plan was for BMW to distribute 500 models to customers in California towards the end of the year. This made BMW the first manufacturer of premium cars to deploy a fleet of electric vehicles for private use. Its electric powertrain was built with the goal of meeting new Californian regulations which require manufacturers to produce zero-emission vehicles. By putting 500 models on the road, BMW hoped to gain hands-on experience and evaluate these findings with the ultimate aim of mass producing the vehicle.

Currently, a factory in Oxford, England, will supply cars without powertrains to a team in Munich which then adds the electric running gear.

Environmental credentials of the BMW MINI E

When the BMW MINI E is made available in the UK there will be numerous incentives to pick up the car. For example, it should be road tax free and exempt from congestion charges due to the fact that it is a zero emission vehicle.

As with all electric cars, the term “zero emission” is open for debate. As many critics point out, even though electric cars do not directly produce any emissions of their own, they cannot truly be described as zero emission until the electricity they run with comes from purely renewable resources.

Nevertheless, the BMW MINI E has an array of environmental improvements over most conventional cars and doesn’t lack the performance capabilities that are so common place among electrics. It is powered by a 204hp electric motor with rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are specially designed for automotive use. They have a range of more than 156 miles in optimal conditions, estimated to be around 109 miles in the city and 96 miles highway. The lithium-ion storage unit has a maximum capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and transmits energy to the electric motor at a nominal 380 volts.

The vehicle weights 1,465kg and has an even distribution. For safe handling there is dynamic stability control and the electric power assisted steering reacts to the driving conditions and is extremely efficient. The BMW MINI E has a peak torque of 220Nm, acceleration to 62mph in 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 95mph.

BMW MINI E statistics

Here are some crucial statistics about the BMW MINI E:

Charge time: 2.5hours with a wallbox, around eight hours without one.
CO2 emissions: None.
Range: 156 miles under optimal conditions.
Top speed: 95 mph.
Torque: 220Nm.

Future of the BMW MINI E

Nevada’s Hybrid Technologies is working on an all-lithium conversion of the BMW MINI E which will use an advanced lithium management and battery balancing system. Its top speed will be lower at around 80mph but it will have an extended range of around 120 miles in normal driving conditions. Stay tuned to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk for UK release information.

Author: Lee Sibbald, March 25, 2009

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