As the EV market prepares for another year of new and exciting car releases, we take a look back at a popular EV that converted quite a lot of people. As its conventional counterpart is already a well-known and trusted vehicle, the Mini Electric went down a storm. Question is, would you like to see the Mini Electric at EVision? Let’s take a look at the EV highlights.
WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT THE MINI ELECTRIC?
The EV is known as the Mini Electric in the UK and the Mini Cooper SE in other countries. However it is known, the Mini Electric is a fantastic addition to the EV market. What makes it stand out from the competition?
EXTERIOR
The exterior is the first thing you see of an EV, meaning that first impressions definitely count. In this case the iconic styling of the Mini vehicle hasn’t changed much from the original design. Drivers are more likely to switch as it’s familiar to them. With a body of stylish curves complemented by futuristic enhancements, the Mini Electric appeals to a wide range of drivers.
The Mini Electric has a low centre of gravity, and operates on a front wheel drive system. With 17” wheels with a unique design, they are sure to turn some heads when you drive past.
In comparison to the BMW i3, the Mini Electric reaches 0 – 60 mph in 6.9 seconds as opposed to the BMW’s time of 6.8 seconds. Nevertheless, the top speed of both vehicles is comparative. The Mini Electric is 93mph whereas the BMW is 98mph. Making them both perfect cars for everyday driving.
INTERIOR
The iconic funky Mini design and great features still apply in the Mini Electric, but with some additional characteristics in the all-electric version.
The interior of a vehicle is just as important as the appearance of the car. Every driver has something different that they look for when comparing vehicles. Some may want an ample amount of storage space, others may like the more luxurious characteristics such as heated seats, LED lighting, or a simple navigation system. However, any driver would be able to enjoy a comfortable and enjoyable drive in the Mini Electric.
Despite the Mini Electric not being the most spacious EV around. They are proud that the legroom and boot space has not been compromised by the battery. It would be great to see the car as a 5 door, however Mini have again opted for the iconic 3 door design.
The 6.5 – 8.8” infotainment screen, depending on which model you pick, comes with easy to navigate menus, and a whole range of apps and technology. The navigation system has now been homed in the centre circle, where typically the speedo would have been found.
BATTERY AND RANGE
The original Mini Electric has been made with a (135kW) electric motor and uses the same motor as the BMW i3. Why not base it on a vehicle that is already a raging success amongst EV drivers?
The Mini Electric has been built with around 144 miles on a full charge (WLTP). When you really use all of the amazing features of the car, realistically drivers will be looking at around 110 miles. However studies show that on average most drivers will only drive around 50 miles per day. Although this may seem like a low range for an EV, the vehicle will evolve once bigger batteries are produced and newer models are released.
When it comes to charging, drivers will expect to be able to charge from 0 to 80% in just 35 minutes, using a 50kW DC supercharger. If you’re looking to hire a Mini Electric on a long term lease or even buy your own, you will more than likely invest in a home charger, This will limit the wait time for charging as it can be done overnight, or during working hours.
How great does the Mini Electric sound, would you love to see the Mini Electric at EVision?
ABOUT MINI
The well recognised Mini was originally designed and manufactured in 1959 by Sir Alec Issigonis. It was then released by BMC (British Motor Corporation). The car was made as a solution to tackle European fuel shortages. Drivers required a car that was small, fuel efficient and family friendly. This is exactly what they got!
Mini started as a solution to a problem, and today it occupies a place in the market offering drivers premium vehicles with style, functionality, and now eco-friendly options.
Whilst many people think that Mini is a British company, you may be surprised to know that the brand is actually owned by German automaker, BMW. In 2000, BMW began production of the Mini we know today.
The first sight of an electric vehicle came in 2010 when the Mini E was released purely to test the waters and trials. The Mini Countryman Plugin Hybrid (PHEV) was then released in the UK in 2017. The Mini Electric was the first all-electric vehicle made from Mini. These two models have proved extremely popular in the UK and together account for 19% of worldwide electrified MINI sales. This will only increase as time goes on!
THE AWARD WINNING CAR IN ALL IT’S GLORY
In late 2020, the Mini Electric was awarded the ‘Urban Green Car of the Year’ award by Green Car Journal. The commitment to offering eco-friendly and efficient cars that will strive towards reaching the zero-emission city life, is definitely award worthy.
November was a big year for the Mini Electric when it came to appearances. On 1st November, the Mini Electric made a debut in the last episode of Top Gear on BBC One.
The Mini Electric went up against the Honda-e and the Vauxhall Corsa-e in a race through Alton Towers. Freddie Flintoff selected the Mini Electric to rival it’s worthy opponents and chose very wisely when it was crowned 1st place! The electric cars were tested for their nippiness, acceleration, battery power and their overall driving capability. View the episode to watch the action!
CONTACT THE TEAM AT EVISION ELECTRIC VEHICLE HIRE TODAY
Although we don’t have a Mini Cooper SE at EVision just yet, we would always welcome the idea of growing our EVision fleet. Would you like to hire the Mini Cooper SE from us?
For the time being we do have some very popular rivals available including the Renault ZOE and the BMW i3. It doesn’t stop there though, EVision have plenty of EVs to choose from:
- Audi e-tron
- Vauxhall Corsa-e
- Jaguar I-Pace
- Tesla Model S, X and 3
- Porsche Taycan
- Kia e-Niro
- Volkswagen ID.3
GET IN TOUCH
Contact the team at EVision on: 01634 914063 or email us. Hires can also be booked and paid for directly on our website. If you have any questions at all regarding your hires, we will be happy to help.
Don’t forget we also sell charging points and charging cables. The Mini Electric can be charged using a Type 2 charger, and also a 3 pin conventional plug. If you want to ensure you always have access to a charger, then be sure to order yours today!
