So you want an electric car but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. We have a solution
this little thing is technically called the Mini Cooper SE, but it’s better known as the mini electric hardtop two door. Simply put mini took a standard people ditched the combustion engine and swapped in and 32.6 kilowatt hour battery pack plus a 181 horsepower electric motor.
observant mini files will be able to distinguish the mini electric by its unique from fascia these optional yellow little mirror caps this little garnish here on the charger door and if you come around back There’s no exhaust pipe because Why would there be.
Those bits aside though, instead of looking like a weird for weird sake, electric car, you electrified mini basically looks like a normal Mini Cooper. Personally, I dig it. I also dig the interior. minis have an innate stylistic swagger outside and especially if you’re willing to spring for higher terms with their fancier materials. But even in base form, you get these cool toggle switches and this round element inspired by the original Mini central speedometer and if you’re wondering about space for humans, it’s perfectly roomy in the front seat as displayed by six foot four inch mic danger here.
no surprises it is cozy and back but it’s actually more workable. than you might think with a kind driver i technically do
not have the space the mini Electric Offers the same 8.7 cubic feet as a gasoline powered mini cooper the rear seat backs can also be folded or set in the Midway position as your cargo needs demand. given the mini brands playful replication might expect a mini electric to be a little ball of fun on the open road.
Battery packs are heavy. Consequently, the mini electric weighs about 300 pounds more than an automatic transmission of cooper S . That weight is placed low and distributed evenly between the front and the rear tires. So despite some extra weight the mini Electric is still tons of fun to fling about.
I’ll also add that even with its Zippy demeanor, ride quality is more than tolerable in the mini electric its electrified nature also sparks joy when accelerating thanks to an electric motor that delivers prompts and powerful thrust.
By the numbers do the -60 sprints check in at 6.9 seconds according to many, and the top speed is 93 miles per hour when slowing there are two regenerative brake intensities to choose from with Max regen selected you can do most of your slowing without removing your foot completely from the accelerator. A lift is all it takes to come to a complete stop.
digging deeper into its electrified side. The mini Electric has an EPA estimated range of 114 miles. Now that’s not a ton of range leading to the next logical question.
How do you charge a mini electric?
- option one is with the household plug that is very very slow.
- option two use a level two charger for a full charge in as little as four hours and
- option three with a 50 kilowatt DC quick charger. You can hit an 80% Charge normally that 35 minutes.
There are two more implications worth considering with the mini electric. A its electric status may grant you solo driver access to the carpool and B in the U.S federal and state incentives can make your mini electric price extra appealing. As I’m righting this, the mini Electric is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax incentive.
That is a hefty incentive for a car with a base price around $30,000. Assuming your tax burden is high enough to exploit it. Hurray. We finally hit on the point I made in the beginning price the base Cooper electric comes well equipped with smart key access, heated front seats, LED headlights, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and a not always intuitive 8.8 inch infotainment system feature navigation and Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto again that’s for right about $30,000 not accounted for destination charges are the price mitigating benefits of federal or state incentives. In short, if you want to well equipped mini at a tantalizing price Consider the electric explorer higher trims to add luxuries like a panoramic roof Harman Kardon Premium Audio adaptive cruise control and premium leather upholstery to the fanciest iconic trim and you’ll add at least $7,000 on top of the mini electric space. between how it looks in our drives There’s a lot to like about the new electric. That said even with America’s expanding charging infrastructure, the mini electrics limited driving range pegs it as a run about best suited for short commutes.
But if you do have a short commute, I think charming style sprightly handling and carpool access might make your travels a little less soul sucking the Mini Cooper Electric is an intriguing and modestly priced solution.
