MINI E Trial Starts in UK

13 December, 2009 08:48:00

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Forty electric MINI E electric cars were handed over to real world drivers to experience a fast charging, fun to drive, longer range electric car under everyday conditions.

This marks the start of two consecutive six-month field trial periods which will evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car.

The findings will be used both to inform the BMW Group engineering teams, as they create zero emissions vehicles for the future, and the wider world to help guide power providers, policy makers and component manufacturers in their decision making.

To cover the research and investment costs of the project a MINI E would normally cost in the region of £550 a month to lease, however part funding from the Government’s Technology Strategy Board means that the lease cost to MINI E pioneers is just £330 per month, which includes VAT, insurance, service and maintenance.

Over and above this payment, the only other costs that MINI E pioneers will incur are for the electricity they use when charging their car. A full charge at home (for a completely flat battery) costs just £1.50 when using off-peak electricity or around £4.00 when charging during peak hours. This translates to just over a penny a mile when charging off-peak.

Following the launch of the MINI E research projects in North America and Germany, the UK trial is a collaborative effort from a BMW Group UK-led consortium.

Scottish and Southern Energy is responsible for the electrical infrastructure in the field trial area and through its supply brand Southern Electric is committed to supplying ‘green energy’ from sustainable sources to all MINI E drivers. Part of the trial involves measuring the loading on the electricity supply network, which can only be done by testing the MINI Es in a network area owned and operated by Scottish and Southern Energy.

The MINI E’s electric drive train produces a peak torque of 220 Nm and a power output equivalent to 204hp. Drive is delivered to the front wheels via a single-stage helical gearbox. This unique engine and transmission arrangement powers the MINI E seamlessly to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 95 mph.

Based on the familiar MINI Hatch, MINI E is a two-seater because the space normally used by rear passengers is reserved for a lithium-ion battery. This state-of-the-art rechargeable battery unit combines high output with ample storage capacity and a remarkable power output. It has a maximum capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and transmits energy to the electric motor as a direct current at a nominal 380 volts. It comprises 5,088 cells grouped into 48 modules, which are packaged into three battery elements arranged compactly inside the MINI E.

A full recharge draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity from the grid. Each kilowatt hour translates into 5.4 miles giving the MINI E a theoretical range of over 150 miles. Besides the benefit of zero-emissions driving, at point of use, the MINI E offers significant economic advantages over a vehicle powered by a conventional internal combustion engine.

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