BMW has announced plans to build 500 electric MINI Coopers for customers residing in California. The program labeled is part of a new division called Project i.
The electric MINI Coopers are built at MINI's Oxford, England plant without engines, transmissions or fuel tanks. They are then shipped to Munich, Germany where they are fitted with electric powertrains. Out of the 500 that are planned only 490 will be leased to selected customers in California. The remaining 10 electric MINI Coopers will be used for advertising purposes in dealer showrooms. All 500 of the vehicles are painted silver with a yellow roof.
The electric MINIs will help BMW meet California's new rules requiring automakers to produce cars with zero emissions.
Pricing has not been announced.
Full Story: eGMCarTech
Related Stories:
The Electric-Powered MINI Cooper Has Started Production and It Has Lithium-Ion Batteries
Comments (12)
1st
Posted by Tex | July 9, 2008 10:35 AM
Posted on July 9, 2008 10:35
2nd
Posted by CKV | July 9, 2008 11:17 AM
Posted on July 9, 2008 11:17
3rd
Y'all are idiots.
I wish they would sell elctric cars somewhere other than California. I hate California, but I really wish I could have an electric car. Why are they painting them with such a horrendous paints scheme?
Posted by idiots | July 9, 2008 11:37 AM
Posted on July 9, 2008 11:37
4th
No tech specs yet though.
Posted by gm0n3y | July 9, 2008 11:40 AM
Posted on July 9, 2008 11:40
so they are only doing this because they have to do it and they are only selling these to celebs and politicos. im not surprised as they really need the most refief at the pump?
Posted by dennisil | July 9, 2008 12:21 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 12:21
17th
If you drive electric to show the world you're better than the rest, you want a horrible color scheme to stand out from the crowd.
Posted by Cant count | July 9, 2008 12:31 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 12:31
Since when did posting order even matter? Childish. At the very least, make a comment about the car/article while you are at, and save us all from the undue scrolling.
I agree that making super limited cars for publicity's sake is wasteful; those costs have to be made up somewhere. Likely in the wallets of people who buy the production models.
Posted by Jimb | July 9, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 13:00
RE: Idiots
If you read the article, you would have noticed that BMW is producing these cars to comply with a CA state law. If you hate California, but want an electric car so badly, then write to your state representative (not federal) asking them to implement a similar law in your state. Even though you will obviously not do this, I can predict what they would tell you if you were to do so.
MOVE TO CALIFORNIA YE DAM HIPPY
Posted by CAResident | July 9, 2008 1:01 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 13:01
@Jimb
5th
Posted by dennisil | July 9, 2008 1:06 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 13:06
hmmm only renting them?
So it's the whole 'Who kill the electric car' movie again.
We never learn don't we...
Posted by aad894 | July 9, 2008 1:33 PM
Posted on July 9, 2008 13:33
How/when can I get one?
This seems great. I guess if you can't get a Honda FCX Clarity, this might be a second choice...
Posted by chambo622 | July 11, 2008 8:47 AM
Posted on July 11, 2008 08:47
I agree with the 3rd response about only being available in California on a very limited basis. Color okay. What about availability in other states & cost?
Posted by srm555 | July 14, 2008 5:09 PM
Posted on July 14, 2008 17:09