We test drive the new MINI E

During the recent Los Angeles Auto Show we took one of the new electric MINI Es out for a test drive around downtown LA. Read the full story at http://greenfuelsforecast.com/ArticleDetails.php?articleID=657

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• green
• fuels
• forecast
• greenfuels
• electric
• car
• lithium
• ion
• bmw
• mini
• ev

[aguzmanNY]

This is what petrol companies are afraid of, i've driven an electric car and I've always wanted to own one ever since, love the torque electric cars have. Ford or GM should introduce one before these electric car companies start ups get serious attention from motor heads.

[RustDemon79]

I make the cells for those Mini's.

[ahmetcantasci]

i prefer hybrid, still. this little thing's mileage is just about 90-100miles. so, it is useless now. they should maximize this by doing much more research on this.

[DanFrederiksen]

@RustDemon79 what do you mean? do you work at the battery factory or at ACPropulsion?

[urbex2007]

@DanFrederiksen He said something about a single speed transmission, but was a bit vague as he didn't seem to know anything about the car really and didn't do a proper test drive or once take it over 20mph! I would like to know if it is a CVT or an auto or a hybrid type DSG affair. DSG would be fun with an electric motor.

[urbex2007]

@thuliocsp It doesn't have aircon, only a ceramic heater element. it has a standard fan to blow cold air or hot from the heater. Nowhere near as efficient as the standard one, don't forget your rnge is considerably reduced if you put the radio on, lights on, heater on, or do a lot of braking as it needs a vacuum pump too. It's a 100% improvement over a Toyota Prius that lives in the dark ages, but still a long long way to go before people will buy it instead of a turbo diesel car.

[urbex2007]

He never did a proper test, he drove around at 20mph all the time. No 0-60mph test, no top speed test, no overtaking or comments on the overall handling. That is not a road test, it is a journalist that has been given 15mins in a car park and just didn't make a very good job of it. Do a proper road test if you want people to buy that car! How much does it cost to charge? How many KWh to charge per hour for example? If it's too much it's better sticking to diesel turbo cars for now.

[urbex2007]

@aguzmanNY GM/Vauxhall in the UK have already built an all electric car that will be on sale next year. The problem is they haven't listened to customers again and the current range is ONLY 40miles. They say that is all most people do in a day which is rubbish! I do far more than that. Ford are not bothering. BMW is way ahead of Vauxhall with the electric car, but 120-150miles is what people need or how do you get home when stranded? Emergency generator in the boot? We need 4 seats too, not two

[thuliocsp]

@greenfuelsforecast

how about A/C and heater?

[SOPM2007]

@concorde1350mph

Yes! And that would be possible if BMW would do it like Tesla Motors and install the batteries in the bottom of the car.

[jrg5683]

Yes they only made 500 as part of the road test, you have to go to to the dealer every couple of weeks and drop it off so they can run test on it, hopefully they mass produce them. One of my clients has one, and was actually the first person in the US to take delivery of it, he loves it, and says its really fast.

[concorde1350mph]

thats a good point i forgot that they only made 500 but still great car and should make a lot more