Inhabitat

Electric Mini Coming in 2009!

We seem to repeat ourselves everyweek in bemoaning the need to switch to renewable energy, but truly, with oil prices this high, every car manufacturer is looking to develop alternatives based on their existing fleet. Obviously, the smaller and more fuel efficient the vehicle, the easier it is to convert to electric — which is why we were not surprised to hear that BMW is releasing its fabulous MINI Cooper in an all electric version in summer 2009!

Sadly, it seems that these awesome Electric Minis will only be released only in limited numbers. BMW is developing these to meet California’s strict emissions regulations, which require that automakers build and release a set number of zero emission vehicles in the state.

The electric Minis will be easily identifiable, as they will have a silver body and a yellow roof. Tentatively, it appears that only 500 of them will be manufactured, though, we reckon that once BMW sees the response to the vehicle, that they will see themselves with a likely best seller in their hands.

+ Electric Mini will be in US customer hands in summer 2009
+ BMW builds electric Mini for California (free registration required)

11 Responses to “Electric Mini Coming in 2009!”

bt Says:

July 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am

while the mini is “cute” and fun to drive,
it is not a a very “small” car.

check its weight.

design isn’t just about style.

the7000club Says:

July 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am

i think i read about this a year ago, and at that time, the estimated cost per vehicle was near 60,000

BlueBerry Says:

July 29th, 2008 at 11:21 am

At the right price an Electric Mini would be pretty cool.
That said, I’m pretty happy with my Prius.

elepski Says:

July 29th, 2008 at 2:22 pm

Here we go again…

Over priced…

Limited availability.. both by number and location…

no firm dates….

atomicsmith Says:

July 29th, 2008 at 4:53 pm

I’d just like to correct the myth that “the smaller and more fuel efficient the vehicle, the easier it is to convert to electric ”

Electric motors and batteries scale very well, all the way from the optical drive in your laptop, to the freight trains criss-crossing the globe.

The way car companies have marginalized electric cars is by offering them in undesirable models. Hopefully the electric Mini and Smart will change that.

Gang green Says:

July 30th, 2008 at 11:29 pm

Is it just me, or haven’t numerous states adopted California’s emissions regulations (even though the EPA fought them)? Why does this not translate into release of EVs and plug in hybrids in ALL of these states reather than just CA?

IGreenSpot Says:

July 31st, 2008 at 10:33 pm

this is good news, but please give us a make sense price so that we can also buy it not just admire it.

jacagroff Says:

August 1st, 2008 at 6:30 pm

Even if the electric mini cooper is estimated to be around $60,000, think of how much money a person would save by NEVER having to fill up their car with gas.

johnbali Says:

August 4th, 2008 at 5:06 am

sweet.. but will it ever hit asia?

jon.carlsten@gmail.com Says:

August 4th, 2008 at 9:07 am

We could lease electric cars in the 1990’s but GM, Ford & Toyota took them all back. We had an oil crisis in the 1970’s when briefly we thought of conservation, until oil prices dropped and we slid back into squandering resources.

There must more than the hysteria of pricey oil or the hope of magic bullet technology to motivate ourselves to shed consumer addictions to such illusory necessities as transportation.

Why not send the automotive industry into a genuine tail spin by taking the bus, riding a bike, skate board, roller skates or heaven forbid – walking?

ob1 Says:

August 29th, 2009 at 12:29 pm

I can get 50000 customers if thay sel for a regular price,(as anormal combustion car). The engine of a normal car cost more 2 manu than a electric motor, and it,s not a problem 2 charge at home, you dont need charging stations, there is elect everywhere these days, if the power is out its out at the station as well! and the batteries arnt all that expencive as every one cliams that only reed blogs and dont educate themselves . love the concept

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