MINI E (field trial)

[mmalc]

Things are certainly getting interesting...

http://www.miniusa.com/?#/learn/MINIE-m

[n_dawg]

Er, I don't see anything about the MINI E on that site.

[gistmarrs]

It worked for me. I signed up for the reminder. Thanks!

[Eyelawdoc]

Worked for me as well!

[n_dawg]

Yeah, both Firefox and Safari show only a page about the mini. No mention of the mini E.

[mmalc]

Yeah, both Firefox and Safari show only a page about the mini. No mention of the mini E.

I'm using Safari; it works fine for me.

[gistmarrs]

I bet its the annimation that isn't running for you.

[garygid]

MINI E: Based on the mini, with the 35 kWh of batteries in the back seat area.
Gets 5.4 mpe (mpkWh) and weighs 3230 pounds, 26 hours to recharge
from 110/15 amp.

Aptera "e": about 10 kWh, 1500 lbs, and 12 mpe, 7.5 hours recharge.

Both two-passenger.

[Apt3448]

MINI E: 26 hours to recharge
from 110/15 amp.

I guess that's why they will install a charger station for you, because that would be completely unusable.

[n_dawg]

MINI E: Based on the mini, with the 35 kWh of batteries in the back seat area.
Gets 5.4 mpe (mpkWh) and weighs 3230 pounds, 26 hours to recharge
from 110/15 amp.

Aptera "e": about 10 kWh, 1500 lbs, and 12 mpe, 7.5 hours recharge.

Both two-passenger.

Ahh, 23 kWh/100 mi. Not so great, considering that the Typ-1 uses 8.3.

Also, is anyone else bothered by "regenerative braking" being a checkbox now? The difference between 30% regeneration (Prius) and 80% regeneration (supercaps, hopefully Aptera) is huge. We need more information than "yep, it's got it."

[Ardie3301]

Oooo. I have to admit, the Mini E sounds pretty good.

Its a mini cooper, er, BMW Mini, that has been redone to be electric.
Remove rear seat, insert 5,000 AA batteries. (Okay, its a stretch, but they *do* take out the rear seat to put in some 500 lbs of lithium-ion batteries.)
So it is a 2-seat car.

150 kW (204 hp) electric motor,
95 pmh top speed (electronically limited)
38 kWh battery (28 usable),
150 miles per charge (unknown, but probably "max range" speed),
115V / 12A recharge time is ~ 23.5 hrs (ordinary outlet),
240V / 32A recharge time is ~ 4.5 hrs
240V / 48A recharge time is ~ 3 hrs. (needs special "wallbox")

1-year lease ~ $1100/mo. Ouch.

Production volume will be approximately 500 units, given to select companies and select customers (i.e., not me).

But it looks like a Mini, and is backed by BMW, so it will probably do very well.

- - -

Comparing this to the Aptera Typ-1e:

2-seat car
(unknown) electric motor, but more like 60 hp.
90-ish top speed (may be the motor's max rpm)
10 kWh battery
120 miles per charge (@ 55 mph)
115V / 15A recharge time is ~ 8 hrs (projected).

With an estimated price of $29,000, a 4-year loan @ 5.5% would run about 675.00 / mo.
(your loan rate and terms may vary)

-- Ardie

[evmavin]

And the aptera with the last charger will charge in less than an hour.

[sck_nogas]

1-year lease ~ $1100/mo. Ouch.

Actually, the specs I've heard are at a monthly cost of $850 (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0810/gallery.electric_mini_cooper/index.html?cnn=yes). Still too much, but less than $1,100...

My hope is that this article is including the electricity costs as well.

Since BMW/Mini is not allowing the leaser to purchase the vehicle at the end of the year, they are going to re-lease the same car to the next person. Plus a 2 year lease with no money down on a $29,000 John Cooper S Hardtop with 10,000 miles a year is $529 monthly, and a 2 year no money down purchase at 8% is $511 monthly.

So, I would hope that the monthly lease rate will be $600 a month, plus insurance and electricity which would bring the cost up to $850 a month.

Scott

[garygid]

Reading the link info:

"The car's brake pedal is directly coupled to the accelerator pedal. As soon as the driver releases the accelerator, the electric motor immediately reverses and begins acting as a generator. This slows the car, like downshifting in a gas-powered car, while recapturing the car's momentum as energy for the batteries."
So, no coasting to a stop here.
I suspect that they will lose more energy this way.

[NmGfan]

Might have to drive this one downhill as well as uphill. At least its front wheel drive/regen though... :happy0025:

[Matthijs]

gy--HB-7_ro
16:9Link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy--HB-7_ro)

interview with AC Propulsion chief Tom Gage during 2008 LA Auto Show about his firm's involvement in providing the electric drive system and battery pack for the BMW Mini E program.

[KarenRei]

I've seen a lot of people looking for the Mini to get cheaper on different sites. I hate to say it, but the only way that's going to happen is if they subsidize it. The tech they're using is just too expensive.