BMW had hoped to release the electric powered MINI E early this year, but due to overwhelming demand the release has been delayed until April. BMW has received 1,800 applications for the car, but only plans on producing 450 units. The high number of applications have delayed the process.
Since only 450 units are going to be produced BMW now has to go through the task of notifying most of the interested parties that they will not be receiving the vehicle. In order to qualify for the MINI E, a potential driver must live in Los Angeles, New York or New Jersey. In addition the driver must have a lockable garage that can accept a built-in charger to charge the MINI and lastly they must be willing to pay $850 a month to lease the car for a year.
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Comments (18)
First things first, first.. =)
Great concept, especially since the U.S. is finally getting an electric car (even if it's just to test). A big fuck you to BMW though for requiring applicants to shell out $850.00/month so they can test the car for them. It sounds to me like BMW should be paying them. Whatever though, any idiot that's willing to pay $850/month for a Mini in these tough times doesn't deserve any pity anyways. Maybe BMW has the right idea...take these suckers for everything they're worth.
Bravo, BMW, Bravo!
Posted by D! | February 9, 2009 1:17 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 13:17
Indeed. $850/month for a car with very limited practicality.
And people wonder why there aren't more electric cars on the market.
Posted by JB | February 9, 2009 1:47 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 13:47
What is the $850 for? Is that the retard tax or something?
Posted by RX-7 Guy | February 9, 2009 3:48 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 15:48
Lower them gas bills and raise those electric bills!
I'll continue driving my 5.4 F-150, fill up once a week, and pay about 250 less a month.
Posted by Bradford | February 9, 2009 3:53 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 15:53
$850 a month for a year, that comes to $10,200. That's nearly half the price of a Mini Cooper S. Holy shit.
Posted by Mathew | February 9, 2009 3:54 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 15:54
And yet they have 1800 applications for 450 cars...seems like they aren't charging enough.
Posted by Zoomit | February 9, 2009 4:57 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 16:57
It is $850 that covers full coverage insurance... it comes out to about right for a brand new vehicle that nobody else has. Come on, your fuel savings would be significant as well.
Add up how much your brand new vehicle costs (I'm sure this one starts at least in the mid-20s), add full-coverage insurance, calculate your fuel costs, and you'd be surprised how high it is.
Posted by Joan of Arc | February 9, 2009 5:58 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 17:58
BMW is trying to kill the electic car just like GM did. Exact same formula: only let a few people have them though millions of people are dying for them. Only lease them. Only offer them in a small number of areas. The exact same thing repeated a decade later.
Posted by satoshi | February 9, 2009 6:09 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 18:09
I'm not sure I'd be surprised how high my fuel cost are...
Because frankly if I'm comparing apples to apples, ie the total range I can actually get out of the electric vs. gas. Then I'd imagine I would be somewhat limited by how much gas I could be saving. If anything there would be a forced savings, as I would probably drive the gas version more simply because I could.
I would imagine the 850 covers some form of insurance, if nothing else a contract with BMW that says if it is in an accident then they will fix it. (Don't know about the other person's car though.)
Posted by Brian | February 9, 2009 10:37 PM
Posted on February 9, 2009 22:37
All of you people are underestimating the cost of an electric car.
Even at $850 I'm 100% sure it's subsidized.
Posted by bobby | February 10, 2009 4:12 AM
Posted on February 10, 2009 04:12
Let me get this straight. "BMW had hoped to release the electric powered MINI E early this year, but due to overwhelming demand the release has been delayed until April."
Because BMW can't process 1800 applications? Choosing 450 is only 1 out of every 4 applications.
Yea. Right. How about "Let's make up something because the car doesn't work right and we need time to fix it."
Just say it like it is.
Posted by Moron Patrol | February 10, 2009 6:39 AM
Posted on February 10, 2009 06:39
Does anyone care? It isn't a production car.
Posted by sparky | February 10, 2009 10:52 AM
Posted on February 10, 2009 10:52
"Plug it in, plug it in..."
Oh wait..wrong product.
Posted by Brian | February 10, 2009 11:44 AM
Posted on February 10, 2009 11:44
@Briad
LOL. Yeah, I don't think the car will be that fresh-smelling eather.
Posted by 426Hemi | February 10, 2009 1:57 PM
Posted on February 10, 2009 13:57
Is there some type of tax write off for leasing/buying this car?
If so I bet most of the orders are from businesses not people.
Depending on the size of the business $850.00 is small change for the publicity you'd get.
Posted by Tim | February 10, 2009 3:13 PM
Posted on February 10, 2009 15:13
@Moron Patrol:
Have you ever worked with German's for every one hour work they spend 5 hour discussing it and another 2 at the beer garden bitching. I found the same thing odd as well. Just remember this is the same country that in WW2 sent all of their skilled labor to death camps and everyone else to the frontlines.
@Joan of Arc:
It's a one year lease and insurance on normal mini would be around $50 a month. Factor in that a normal mini uses about $850 in gas in a year. I don't think you are saving a dime unless you get free power at your house. My guess is this will add at least $50 a month to your electric bill which is $600 year right there.
Can we honestly get a straight answer from BMW what the purpose of this PR stunt is? Right now I think it’s a joke to demonstrate how dumb Americans are.
Posted by RX-7 Guy | February 10, 2009 4:05 PM
Posted on February 10, 2009 16:05
I gather it's a test of the waters.
First, get a measure of interest.
Second, GENERATE some interest. (They've currently got more interest than their intended supply. But more than that, when these are on the streets, how much more interest will THAT generate.)
Third, get some real world experience with the hardware. (Version one always has teething issues. By limiting the first release you decrease the cost of needed recalls and adjustments.)
Lastly, get a measure of economic feasibility. (IOW: can you make a profit with these? That's why GM says they canceled their EV1.)
The limited release is frustrating to me, as I'd like one of these. But I understand BMW taking a more cautious approach.
Posted by kw | February 11, 2009 8:43 AM
Posted on February 11, 2009 08:43
An electric tester like the Mini or the Fortwo or like any other market tester, it's still something better than nothing at all. At lease Mini is trying. But, the intent of production just isn't there. If you are one of the lucky one to live in CA, USA then you might be able to buy an Aptera 2e. So, take that $850/month and give it to Aptera on a 2e. I'm sorry, but a concept is just that; eye candy. As for the recharge of an electric car batteries. Well, then take your pick of things that can produce electricity; solar, wind, micro-hydro power, etc.....For now, if you want your car to go; you will have to pay what ever price is at the gas pump. Buying a recycled battery every five years or just leasing it would be better than paying gas prices at a variable rate. Think variable rate home mortgage interest. How many home owners lost their home?
I live on a fixed income. But, when the gas prices spiked way over my budget. Well, you get the picture. But, if Mini would build an EV Mini for the US market and sale it for a comparative price with other US cars of the same size. Then, Mini would get my money.
Posted by Steven | March 8, 2009 4:25 PM
Posted on March 8, 2009 16:25