The Mini E is BMW's small electric car model that was produced begingin in June, 2009. The Mini E uses experimental , latest-generation lithium-ion technology.
Germany Spurs Its Automakers to Produce Electric Cars
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling coalition parties pledged this week to spend more than $700 million by 2011 on developing electric vehicles, as it tries to put 1 million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020. The preliminary plan, still short on details, is already meeting resistance for not going far enough.
Confusion Over MPG Ratings for Electric Cars
What will fuel-economy numbers look like on the window stickers of electric vehicles coming to the US market next year? Trying to find the answer could short-circuit your brain.
Mini Electric Car Drivers: BMW “Botched” Program
As we reported last month, BMW has encountered several problems with its program to evaluate the all-electric Mini E with real-world drivers. The program continues to stumble, as drivers and activists accuse BMW of establishing the program merely to meet regulations, while delivering a sub-standard product. Meanwhile, BMW is planning to deliver the City—its first production electric car—in 2011.
Mini-E Charging Surprise
The plan to lease the Mini E—an all-electric version of the Mini Cooper—has hit a snag. The market test of about 500 Mini E cars in New York, New Jersey and California was to include a special 220-volt charging unit so leasees could recharge their cars in 3.5 hours. But the installation of the charging box has to be approved by each local municipality.