Forty electric Minis have been handed over to 'real world' test drivers who are all members of the public, to evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car.
The findings will be used both to inform the BMW Group engineering teams, as they create zero emissions vehicles for the future, and the wider world to help guide power providers, policy makers and component manufacturers in their decision making.
The trial is a collaborative effort within a BMW Group UK-led consortium. Additional funding is provided by the Government-backed Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport (DFT) as part of a UK-wide programme involving trials of 340 ultra-low carbon vehicles from several manufacturers.
The subsidised lease cost to Mini E pioneers is £330 per month, which includes VAT, insurance, service and maintenance. Over and above this payment, the only other costs that MiniE pioneers will incur are for the electricity they use when charging their car. A full charge at home (for a completely flat battery) costs just £1.50 when using off-peak electricity or around £4.00 when charging during peak hours.
The Mini E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Nm and a power output equivalent to 204hp. Drive is delivered to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox. This unique engine and transmission arrangement powers the Mini E to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 95 mph.
Based on the familiar MINI Hatch, MINI E is a two-seater because the space normally used by rear passengers is reserved for a lithium-ion battery.
