The car was very noisy. I could rarely hear their voice while driving. BMW will have to improve, and a lot, the sound insulation, if they want to make a successful electric car.
Moreover, electric cars will have to be redesigned from scratch, coz current Minis are too heavy and massive for electric engines and batteries.
Electric cars, by definition, are very very light and super aerodynamic... If at BMW they do not understand this, they can change work..
the main counter argument on "a hundred miles isn't enough" is not just to make bigger batteries, but to make faster recharging ones.
If you suddenly wanted to go to scotland in your batteripowered car, you should be able to do so ... and just like the petrol cars, the solution is the same ... refill it - Quickly.
Well, right now, the fastest recharging EV car is about 15-20 minutes, AFAIK ... that's not nearly fast enough. But yes, the technology is there, we need less than 5 minutes. They could even use Super Capacitors, they can be charged in a few seconds.
They also need to increase Voltages that the cars run on, because higher Volts would mean thinner cables for high effect, so it costs less resources to ramp up the voltage than ramping up the amps. 500 Volt batteries should be minimum.
I like what is being said, "people will drive electric cars they can recognize with".
Like to see an toyota scion xb electric car myself. Ruuman has it right, I'd venture to say hybrids will also phase out. The mini also has two sunroofs, perfect for an solar panel top. No back set on this model, neither on a smartcar.
After watching the 8 available video's, something suddenly struck me: All official representatives from "brands" (Nissan ,BMW etc.) are absolutely, honestly, smitten with their own product. They TRULY love the tech behind it.
Especially this guy, a tech-head if I ever saw one.
They are, in general, way different from the slick&slippery car-sales person. I hope the manufacturers take that into consideration when provoding the first E-cars to franchises..
I've always loved the mini, ever since I was a kid and would love an electric one. (Well, to be honest for a while there I wanted a datsun 120y but thats another story.)
But I sit in traffic and I see the modern day "mini"s and they're enormous! What the hell happend?
A 3 door mini towers over my 5 door 91-barina, it even towers over a modern day barina.
@Pook365 I was thinking along those lines..... a 'gear box' that electrically can control torque switch and adjust the modulation characteristics of the ESC etc...
I wish this car had a (functional) gear box. Two gears (city drive/motorway) would be fine.
Yes, you can design an electric car without a gear box but it takes a large motor and inverter to get enough torque at low speeds and high enough maximum speed. That in turn limits the efficiency of the whole drive chain at lower speeds as the motor works at its maximum efficiency (and maximum power too) only at high speeds.
3) battery tech is too slow advancing and too expensive. (as you point out this is gaining momentum by the day. Not only do we have battery,motor,battery seperator,and various other tech advancing we have Japanese based JFE Engineering developing a 50% charge in 3 minutes, harsh on the battery but then battery advancements would evolve to cope with this and increase range and lifetime which means less demanding charging. After years in the wilderness the tech is now advancing
Robert llew, did you by any chance happen to read a certain presenters article/review on the mini e yesterday in the sunday times? the presenter was from a well known entertainment show that races cars around a disused airfield
@avada0 Just a clarkson review of the mini e, gave it 3 stars. Started out well, gave it good marks on handling mentioned that it was quicker and more responsive than the traditional cooper edition mini (the faster version), then ending, battery tech not advancing quick enough and i quote the last para.. "The mini E sits out there as a shining example of something that can't be achieved (??). A glimpse into a future that won't happen. The spearhead of an attack that will never come" ..?
@avada0 "we can't make enough electricity to supply 33m motorists" (we wouldn't have an over night change to e.v's! apparently the current grid can cope with a 15% change over, current estimates put E.v adoption at 5-15% for 2020)
"The batteries will be too expensive to replace" (They are now yes, it is a problem but will they be in 10 years time?)
"is it really a zero emissions car" (yes! you don't question whether a telly is zero emissions, or a washing machine)
He seems rather ignorant to me. If the oil is used for making electric energy instead of making fuel for internal combustion cars, then there will be more energy because there is no refinement loss. And of course electric motors consume less energy.
Battery technology is in rapid development nowadays. Lot of companies are developing more energy dense and cheaper batteries. Currently lithium-air batteries are mentioned the most, and its development is backed by IBM.
@avada0 His main arguement seems to be, 1) environmentalists only want to drive them, (not true). 2) The power we use to power them is fossil fuel based and that negates the first point. (As pointed out many times the uk gets the largest majority of its power from gas firedpower stations. Even when taken from coal the C02 and overall particulate levels are still considerably lower, reduce for off peak power and for gas and nuclear). ...cont
@avada0 Nissan have an 8 year warranty on their leaf. They also stated that they will re furbish leaf batteries which will bring prices down.
If in 8-10 years time when the leaf battery drains out and battery tech hasn't advanced at all, prices haven't come down and fuel prices haven't gone up then we'll have a problem, not likely though
So the car isn't perfect. Knowing that, if the present MINI E drivers were willing to pay anything to keep the car, I wonder if they would be allowed to? Regardless, a great video Robert with good information I can't find elsewhere.
If your son is a motorbiker, I wonder if you could talk him into reviewing the Brammo Empulse on your next video?
i think it slows down quicker because once you let go the accelerator it's then pushing the motor, which is a form of friction, the side benefit being electric generation
@theshemullet It's because of the regenerative braking. When power is no longer applied and deceleration is required the motor becomes a generator and regains a bit of power back to the batteries.
We use a very basic version of that in electric RC and slot car models. For slot cars it's called EMF braking, but some of the more expensive electronic speed controls will give power back to the RC batteries too.
Most of the companies that were pushing hydrogen have since given up on it. Batteries have gotten good enough that the best ones offer the same range as a fuel cell at the same pricepoint, but last longer before they need replacement (Compare the FCX Clarity and Tesla Model S)
By the time a hydrogen fueling infrastructure could be built, batteries would be so much better (and cheaper) that those hydrogen stations would be torn down shortly thereafter.
I really hope that by the time I have the money for a car, I can perhaps get something like this! Or at least a small and efficiant car simular to this. For day to day use, I don't think I could ask for much more!
These videos need more hits!
heatleynoble 6 months ago 2
Driving a manual is way more fun, but when you simply want to commute from A to B then electrics are the way to go.
rock3tcat 6 months ago
The car was very noisy. I could rarely hear their voice while driving. BMW will have to improve, and a lot, the sound insulation, if they want to make a successful electric car.
Moreover, electric cars will have to be redesigned from scratch, coz current Minis are too heavy and massive for electric engines and batteries.
Electric cars, by definition, are very very light and super aerodynamic... If at BMW they do not understand this, they can change work..
gio70v 7 months ago
nice dude
mongoeu 10 months ago
Please bring to market. Somebody has to take the first step.. We can't still be driving IC.
Zcow29 11 months ago
the main counter argument on "a hundred miles isn't enough" is not just to make bigger batteries, but to make faster recharging ones.
If you suddenly wanted to go to scotland in your batteripowered car, you should be able to do so ... and just like the petrol cars, the solution is the same ... refill it - Quickly.
Jesus45U 1 year ago
@Jesus45U Batteries can recharge fast enough, the real answer is charging stations that can supply more amps and more of them.
CmdrTobs 10 months ago
@CmdrTobs
Well, right now, the fastest recharging EV car is about 15-20 minutes, AFAIK ... that's not nearly fast enough. But yes, the technology is there, we need less than 5 minutes. They could even use Super Capacitors, they can be charged in a few seconds.
They also need to increase Voltages that the cars run on, because higher Volts would mean thinner cables for high effect, so it costs less resources to ramp up the voltage than ramping up the amps. 500 Volt batteries should be minimum.
Jesus45U 10 months ago
I like what is being said, "people will drive electric cars they can recognize with".
Like to see an toyota scion xb electric car myself. Ruuman has it right, I'd venture to say hybrids will also phase out. The mini also has two sunroofs, perfect for an solar panel top. No back set on this model, neither on a smartcar.
CarlVanDoren 1 year ago
After watching the 8 available video's, something suddenly struck me: All official representatives from "brands" (Nissan ,BMW etc.) are absolutely, honestly, smitten with their own product. They TRULY love the tech behind it.
Especially this guy, a tech-head if I ever saw one.
They are, in general, way different from the slick&slippery car-sales person. I hope the manufacturers take that into consideration when provoding the first E-cars to franchises..
diakrite 1 year ago
I just have one question about this car.
Why is it so huge?!
I've always loved the mini, ever since I was a kid and would love an electric one. (Well, to be honest for a while there I wanted a datsun 120y but thats another story.)
But I sit in traffic and I see the modern day "mini"s and they're enormous! What the hell happend?
A 3 door mini towers over my 5 door 91-barina, it even towers over a modern day barina.
='(
DottyDotDitto 1 year ago
@ nbsr1
I think rather than having a gearbox you could switch from delta to Wye winding on the motor and achieve in effect two gear ratios.
Pook365 1 year ago
@Pook365 I was thinking along those lines..... a 'gear box' that electrically can control torque switch and adjust the modulation characteristics of the ESC etc...
CmdrTobs 10 months ago
I wish this car had a (functional) gear box. Two gears (city drive/motorway) would be fine.
Yes, you can design an electric car without a gear box but it takes a large motor and inverter to get enough torque at low speeds and high enough maximum speed. That in turn limits the efficiency of the whole drive chain at lower speeds as the motor works at its maximum efficiency (and maximum power too) only at high speeds.
nbsr1 1 year ago
i think u have a typo in the description
gdiggle123 1 year ago
You haven't told us how this compares to the custom converted Mini you drove a while back in London.
TangoR34 1 year ago
Love your show!!! I'll watch every new episode for sure!
But please let us have a look at the outside of the car as well. And close-ups of details :-)
andresaether 1 year ago
I love the acceleration sound it makes! It sounds like your driving a space ship, lol.
tipoomaster 1 year ago 12
sub me
steelix18 1 year ago
3) battery tech is too slow advancing and too expensive. (as you point out this is gaining momentum by the day. Not only do we have battery,motor,battery seperator,and various other tech advancing we have Japanese based JFE Engineering developing a 50% charge in 3 minutes, harsh on the battery but then battery advancements would evolve to cope with this and increase range and lifetime which means less demanding charging. After years in the wilderness the tech is now advancing
eldictator1 1 year ago
Robert llew, did you by any chance happen to read a certain presenters article/review on the mini e yesterday in the sunday times? the presenter was from a well known entertainment show that races cars around a disused airfield
eldictator1 1 year ago
@eldictator1 Why? What is it like?
avada0 1 year ago
@avada0 Just a clarkson review of the mini e, gave it 3 stars. Started out well, gave it good marks on handling mentioned that it was quicker and more responsive than the traditional cooper edition mini (the faster version), then ending, battery tech not advancing quick enough and i quote the last para.. "The mini E sits out there as a shining example of something that can't be achieved (??). A glimpse into a future that won't happen. The spearhead of an attack that will never come" ..?
eldictator1 1 year ago
@avada0 "we can't make enough electricity to supply 33m motorists" (we wouldn't have an over night change to e.v's! apparently the current grid can cope with a 15% change over, current estimates put E.v adoption at 5-15% for 2020)
"The batteries will be too expensive to replace" (They are now yes, it is a problem but will they be in 10 years time?)
"is it really a zero emissions car" (yes! you don't question whether a telly is zero emissions, or a washing machine)
eldictator1 1 year ago
@eldictator1
He seems rather ignorant to me. If the oil is used for making electric energy instead of making fuel for internal combustion cars, then there will be more energy because there is no refinement loss. And of course electric motors consume less energy.
Battery technology is in rapid development nowadays. Lot of companies are developing more energy dense and cheaper batteries. Currently lithium-air batteries are mentioned the most, and its development is backed by IBM.
avada0 1 year ago
@avada0 His main arguement seems to be, 1) environmentalists only want to drive them, (not true). 2) The power we use to power them is fossil fuel based and that negates the first point. (As pointed out many times the uk gets the largest majority of its power from gas firedpower stations. Even when taken from coal the C02 and overall particulate levels are still considerably lower, reduce for off peak power and for gas and nuclear). ...cont
eldictator1 1 year ago
@avada0 Nissan have an 8 year warranty on their leaf. They also stated that they will re furbish leaf batteries which will bring prices down.
If in 8-10 years time when the leaf battery drains out and battery tech hasn't advanced at all, prices haven't come down and fuel prices haven't gone up then we'll have a problem, not likely though
Rant over ha, I'm preaching to the converted
eldictator1 1 year ago
So the car isn't perfect. Knowing that, if the present MINI E drivers were willing to pay anything to keep the car, I wonder if they would be allowed to? Regardless, a great video Robert with good information I can't find elsewhere.
If your son is a motorbiker, I wonder if you could talk him into reviewing the Brammo Empulse on your next video?
c33r0k33 1 year ago
If it wasnt for this show I would never have been able to hear and see these cars in motion. Thanks again and keep doing the show!!
TheElectrocar 1 year ago
thanks for the great video!
very informative
discotechwreck 1 year ago
That's great. Looks really promising. One thing I didn't really get though is brakes. Why don't you have to use the brakes so often?!
szabiakanich 1 year ago
@szabiakanich It probably slows down faster when you let off the accelerator because it doesnt idle like a gasoline car does.
icespark7 1 year ago
@icespark7
i think it slows down quicker because once you let go the accelerator it's then pushing the motor, which is a form of friction, the side benefit being electric generation
theshemullet 1 year ago
@theshemullet It's because of the regenerative braking. When power is no longer applied and deceleration is required the motor becomes a generator and regains a bit of power back to the batteries.
We use a very basic version of that in electric RC and slot car models. For slot cars it's called EMF braking, but some of the more expensive electronic speed controls will give power back to the RC batteries too.
wordreet 1 year ago
Great show! would like to see more cars that will be out soon
Wolfgang2010 1 year ago
Looks really promising!
alexvegas 1 year ago
Three camera setup. Impressive, but clean the dot off of camera 1 before the next video.
JohnCBriggs 1 year ago
We've had our MINI E for 13 months now and we absolutely love it! It's a great car. AC Propulsion's 150kW electric drive is awesome.
giantquesadilla 1 year ago
I want one! I was liking the Trabant EV, but this looks much more like something I would like to drive.
idontcare80 1 year ago
umm, what's wrong with the sound?
Oldsmobile69 1 year ago
Why no HD version available like in the first two videos?
avada0 1 year ago 2
Awesome, think i saw you driving this on click!
thegadgetdude 1 year ago
Sweet little car! Seems like a perfect commuter car.
wlchase 1 year ago
cool, good to see BMW pushing forward too, I thought they were only thinking hydrogen
ruuman 1 year ago
@ruuman
Most of the companies that were pushing hydrogen have since given up on it. Batteries have gotten good enough that the best ones offer the same range as a fuel cell at the same pricepoint, but last longer before they need replacement (Compare the FCX Clarity and Tesla Model S)
By the time a hydrogen fueling infrastructure could be built, batteries would be so much better (and cheaper) that those hydrogen stations would be torn down shortly thereafter.
Zamboro 1 year ago 7
@Zamboro true, hydrogens pumps will not likely appear. but making it at home might
Ultra4 8 months ago
I really hope that by the time I have the money for a car, I can perhaps get something like this! Or at least a small and efficiant car simular to this. For day to day use, I don't think I could ask for much more!
Nightmare060 1 year ago