Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Underwriters Lab holdup means some MINI Es will take all day to charge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/07/underwriters-lab-holdup-means-some-mini-es-will-take-all-day-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/07/underwriters-lab-holdup-means-some-mini-es-will-take-all-day-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/07/underwriters-lab-holdup-means-some-mini-es-will-take-all-day-to/#comments

With MINI Es finally being delivered to the 450 test drivers in New York and California, a problem has cropped up that will limit the ability of many of those people to actually use the car. When MINI USA was taking applications for leases on the new EV, among the requirements were a garage with 220V electrical service. This was necessary in order to be able to charge the 35 kWh battery in four hours. When the car is delivered, MINI sends along an electrician to install a special wall box for charging.

The problem is the non-standard charging cable. In many of the areas where the cars are being distributed, local building codes require Underwriters Laboratories approved electrical hardware. Approval is still pending from UL on the 220V charging cable so it can't yet be distributed in those areas. The cars are all being delivered this month but roughly 300 of the recipients will have to charge from 110V wall sockets until they get UL-approved cables. That means a full charge will take about 23 hours. MINI USA spokeswoman Nathalie Bauters told USA Today that the company expects to have UL approval for the cable and have them all distributed by the end of July.


Gallery: Quick Drive: MINI E



[Source: USA Today Open Road]

Underwriters Lab holdup means some MINI Es will take all day to charge originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 07 Jun 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>high voltage charging cablehigh voltage wiringHighVoltageChargingCableHighVoltageWiringmini emini e deliverymini evMiniEMiniEDeliveryMiniEvulunderwriters laboratoriesunderwriterslaboratoriesSun, 07 Jun 2009 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[First MINI E delivered to LA customer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/first-mini-e-delivered-to-la-customer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/first-mini-e-delivered-to-la-customer/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/28/first-mini-e-delivered-to-la-customer/#comments
MINI E - Click above for a hi-res gallery

Despite thousands of people signing up for a chance to lease the MINI E, only 500 are being produced at this stage, with 50 of those are destined for Berlin. Now, after months of winnowing down the list, the very first car has been delivered to one very happy customer. After meeting all the necessary requirements and having a charger installed in his garage, Peter Trepp took delivery of his shiny new ride last Friday. He had actually just test-driven one the day before where he learned of his impending good fortune.

Numbered 111, the electric two-seater is Peter's to enjoy for a year and he already expects that the parting will be difficult. His first drive in his car, like ours, occurred in bad L.A. traffic, but he was more than content and enjoyed the entire slow ride home. Trepp advises other future MINI E "pioneers" they'll get used to not having to touch the brake pedal. The regenerative braking is relatively strong and, he says, "not bad at all." Drivers won't have to worry about the people behind them being unaware when the car's momentum decreases as the brake lights will come on when the foot is lifted from the accelerator. You can follow Peters MINI E experience at his blog which he has diligently been updating since March.


Gallery: MINI E


[Source: Plugged-In With Peter's Mini E via USA Today]

First MINI E delivered to LA customer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 May 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>111AutoblogGreenBMW MINI EBmwMiniEfirst customerFirstCustomerMINI EMINI EVMiniEMiniEvPeter TreppPeterTreppThu, 28 May 2009 07:58:00 EST<![CDATA[MINI E delayed due to overwhelming demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/mini-e-delayed-due-to-overwhelming-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/mini-e-delayed-due-to-overwhelming-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/mini-e-delayed-due-to-overwhelming-demand/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the MINI E

BMW is facing the unenviable task of telling over a thousand applicants that they will not be receiving a new electric MINI E. Apparently, the German automaker has taken applications from around 1,800 people that would like to drive home in one of 450 available vehicles. Of course, that means that the majority of those wanting a MINI E won't get one.

Just to be considered for the program, a potential driver must live near Los Angeles, New York or New Jersey and must not require a range longer than the battery-powered MINI can provide. Other requirements include a lockable garage that can accept a built-in charger and a willingness to shell out $850 per month for a one-year lease.

The backlog of applications has caused a delay in getting the cars out to dealers. Originally, the EV MINIs were scheduled for delivery around the beginning of the year, but now the cars aren't expected to arrive in driveways until April.

Gallery: MINI E


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

MINI E delayed due to overwhelming demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Click above for a high-res gallery of the MINI E's unveiling

Is the new MINI E sold out? If by "rented through," yes, it looks like you may have missed your opportunity to be a beta tester for BMW's new electric Cooper.

BMW is leasing around 500 of the diminutive hatchbacks at a cost of $850-a-month (including insurance) for one year in the New York/New Jersey metro area as well as Southern California, and according to a new Bloomberg News story, applicants for the program have outnumbered the cars by more than a 4-to-1 ratio, though there is always the possibility that not all of the cars have been doled out yet.

If you're still pondering how you might be able to muscle your way to the front of the queue, be prepared for some changes from your everyday motoring routine. For one, the MINI E's range is limited to 120 miles, at which point you'll have to plug the car into the 220-volt outlet you've had installed in your garage. If you're stuck away from home, you can plug the MINI E into a 110-volt wall outlet, but be prepared to wait-a charge takes about 26 hours (versus around three for the 220-volt outlet). Beyond that, expect for MINI to require you to keep track of your driving experience with a diary and various online surveys.

Despite all of the various hoops to jump through, we're not at all surprised to learn that the opportunity to noiselessly motor about in a zero-emissions Cooper has charmed more than 2000 lease applicants. Given the brand's fanatical (and generally well-heeled) following, we're almost surprised that the number isn't higher. So don't feel bad if you applied for a MINI E of your very own, only to get turned down. Besides, there's always the PML MINI QED...

Gallery: MINI E live reveal


[Bloomberg News]

MINI E: An American sellout? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>110-volt220-voltBMWelectric carElectricCarEVhybridMini CooperMini EMiniCooperMiniEpure electricPureElectricTeslazero-emissionsTue, 06 Jan 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Finalists announced for Green Car Journal's Green Car Vision Award]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/finalists-announced-for-green-car-journals-green-car-vision-awa/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/finalists-announced-for-green-car-journals-green-car-vision-awa/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/22/finalists-announced-for-green-car-journals-green-car-vision-awa/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

The Green Car Vision awards celebrate a car that's got its headlights pointed down the road of the future. Among this year's five finalists are two serial hybrids (Chevrolet Volt and Fisker Karma) two electric cars (MINI E and Mitsubishi i-MiEV), and one hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (Honda FCX Clarity). It seems like a pretty good breakdown of where things stand now, with serial, plug-in hybrids and electric cars duking it out in center court and a hydrogen vehicle thrown in to keep things honest. Three of those cars -- the MINI E, i-MiEV, and Clarity -- are on the roads right now, albeit in limited numbers, and the Fisker is due to hit the scene at the end of 2009, while the Volt bows in 2010. The winning car will be announced on February 3 at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show. You can read the full press release after the jump and check out a high-res gallery of the finalists below.

Gallery: Green Car Journal 2009 Finalists

Chevrolet VoltHonda FCX ClarityMitsubishi I-MiEVMINI EFisker Karma

[Source: Green Car Journal]

Continue reading Finalists announced for Green Car Journal's Green Car Vision Award

Finalists announced for Green Car Journal's Green Car Vision Award originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternativeawardschevrolet voldChevroletVoldfisker karmaFiskerKarmagreengreen car journalGreenCarJournalhonda fcx clarityHondaFcxClarityhybridmini eMiniEmitsubishi i mievMitsubishiIMievMon, 22 Dec 2008 07:01:00 EST<![CDATA[LA 2008: Live reveal of the MINI E in Beverly Hills]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/la-2008-live-reveal-of-the-mini-e-in-beverly-hills/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/la-2008-live-reveal-of-the-mini-e-in-beverly-hills/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/18/la-2008-live-reveal-of-the-mini-e-in-beverly-hills/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the MINI E

BMW board member Dr. Friederich Eichiner unveiled the first MINI E this afternoon at a press event in Beverly Hills, California. The company has built 500 of the battery-powered cars that will be leased to customers in Southern California and the New York City area starting in January. Each car is equipped with electric drive systems and battery packs provided by California's AC Propulsion. The 35 kWh packs are expected to provide a range of about 125-150 miles on a charge and accelerate the car to 60 mph in an very reasonable 8.5 seconds. BMW is using the MINI E as the first step of its Project I, which is focused on developing new innovations for urban mobility. A web site will be launched in the next couple of days where people will be able to officially apply for the program. For those who get selected, the MINI E lease will cost $850 /month and only last one year. Check out ABG for more information on the car and what BMW is trying to achieve with it.

Gallery: MINI E reveal LIVE


[Source: AutoblogGreen]

LA 2008: Live reveal of the MINI E in Beverly Hills originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la 2008la auto showla auto show 2008la autoshowLa2008LaAutoShowLaAutoShow2008mini emini evMiniEMiniEvTue, 18 Nov 2008 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/18/la-preview-204-hp-lithium-battery-powered-mini-e-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the MINI E

BMW has finally unleashed some information and photos of the much anticipated MINI E set to debut next month at the LA Auto Show. For those who haven't been paying attention, late last spring BMW announced plans to build and lease a fleet of 500 battery powered MINIs starting sometime in 2009. The front wheels of the MINI E receive torque through a single speed gearbox from a 204 hp, 162 lb-ft electric motor. Those numbers are rather unusual for an electric drive system which usually has much more torque. Nonetheless, the MINI E can hustle to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and, according to BMW, can cover about 150 miles on a full charge of its lithium ion battery pack.

Anyone who has driven a MINI knows that the back seat is for small kids or occasional use only. For the purposes of this electric version, that is no longer an issue as that area has been completely consumed by the battery pack. The pack itself has a capacity of 35 kWh and judging by the description the company has used a similar set up to the Tesla Roadster. Instead of larger cells specifically designed for automotive applications, this pack uses 5,088 cells arranged in 48 modules. As always, charging time depends on the current and voltage of the outlet the car is plugged into. MINI will be supplying a high current charging station with the cars that can be installed in the driver's garage to facilitate quicker charges, providing a full charge in 2.5 hours. The regenerative braking system can provide three-quarters of the braking requirements when running in urban stop and go driving. Aside from the battery pack replacing the rear seat and the yellow trim, the main change inside is a battery meter that replaces the tachometer in front of the driver. BMW will be leasing the 500 cars to commercial and private customers in California, New York and New Jersey starting early next year. They may eventually expand the program to Europe as well.

Gallery: MINI E


[Source: MINI]

Continue reading LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed!

LA Preview: 204-hp lithium battery-powered MINI E revealed! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>la auto showla auto show 2008la autoshowLaAutoShowLaAutoShow2008lithiumlithium ionlithium ion batterieslithium-ionLithiumIonLithiumIonBatteriesmini emini evMiniEMiniEvSat, 18 Oct 2008 12:24:00 EST