Mini E in yellow trim for innovation & change - 500 real-time test models
BMW Building electric MINI for California
electric car Debut at L.A. Car Show (Nov. 2008)
The Mini E, a completely electric version of the Mini Cooper, debuts at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, to be followed by a fleet of 500 leased “to select private and corporate customers as part of a pilot project in the US states of California, New York and New Jersey.” BMW, Mini’s parent organization, says the use of that number of vehicles in real world use will provide the experience it needs for mass production of the Mini E for sale to consumers More at Automotive Examiner. BMW Group Unveil Electric Mini (November 19, 2008) Coming Soon, Mini’s Electric Kool Aid Test - NY Times The Mini E Field Trial - MINIUSA.COM
The MINI E is powered by a beautiful, powerful, and efficient electric drive system manufactured by AC Propulsion of San Dimas, CA. More at Revenge of the Electric Car
BMW working on making electric Mini's for California
MUNICH (July 9, 2008) -- BMW is exporting nearly 500 electric Mini E's to California, company sources said.
The electric Minis are being built at the Mini factory in Oxford, England, without engines, gearboxes or fuel tanks, then shipped to Munich, Germany, where they are being fitted with electric powertrains.
Lithium-ion Battery System
BMW claims the Mini E will have a range of 150 miles running on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. BMW has been working in a joint project with Mercedes-Benz on developing lithium-ion batteries, along with battery (and tire) manufacturer Continental. The lithium-ion batteries are scheduled for use in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid next year.
Mini E will feature a 204 horsepower electric motor mounted transversely, sending power to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox', says BMW, and will be “entirely free of emissions.” The batteries are positioned where the back seat would normally be in a Mini, making the Mini E a two-seater.
The ACP 150 drive-train (AC Propulsion) is currently considered the gold standard of EV motor/controller drive systems. In order to comply with California's new clean air regulations, (as well as meeting the carbon-free needs in major city centers around the world that want zero-emissions vehicles as practical means for personal mobility), BMW is planning its smallest car in recent memory.
Mini E electric car
The electric Minis will help BMW to meet new California regulations that requires carmakers selling cars in California to offer zero emission vehicles.
Volkswagen, Daimler, PSA/Peugeot-Citroen and Renault have all announced electric-vehicle programs in recent months, joining several U.S. and Japanese automakers that are also working on the technology.
Electric Mini E Driven in Los Angeles - BMW, Mini’s parent organization, says the use of that number of vehicles in real world use will provide the experience it needs for mass production of the Mini E for sale to consumers
The MINI E uses a specially-developed version of AC Propulsion’s proprietary 'tzero technology to provide high performance, high efficiency, and fast charging. AC Propulsion’s air-cooled copper-rotor induction motor produces maximum torque from zero to 5,000 rpm and spins all the way up to 13,000 rpm. The IGBT inverter drives the motor to produce peak power of 150 kW. Even with this high power rating, the AC Propulsion drive system operates with high efficiency in normal driving. Powerful regenerative braking adds to the efficiency and driving appeal. When the car decelerates, the kinetic energy of motion is converted back to electrical energy in the battery.
To be considered for one of BMW's 500 Mini E's, you should go to http://www.minispace.com/en_us/projects/electric-mini-e/ and sign up, but remember, they are only going to consider you if you live in New York, New Jersey or LA.
The cynical view is that BMW has no real intention of making the Mini E into a full production car, since they might only be building these cars to get CARB credits for calendar year 2008, even though actual placement won’t occur until 2009. More likely, BMW will be testing the market and trialing the batteries to see what servicing and management lessons they can glean from their limited lease-hire program.
In order to comply with California's new clean air regulations, (as well as meeting the carbon-free needs in major city centers around the world that want zero-emissions vehicles as practical means for personal mobility), BMW is planning its smallest car in recent memory. More
BMW electric City Concept Car
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