Electrical MINI Magic – CleanTechnica

By Jeff Shaw in an interview with David Waterworth

I’ve had the electrical MINI since September 2020. It was in actual fact the primary privately owned MINI electrical car in Australia. The price was AUS$55,000 plus on-the-road prices (round AUD$59,990). Round city, I get round 250 km (155 miles) vary (an estimate, as I not often go this far). I cost as soon as every week, and it prices round $5 if I charged at dwelling charges (ignoring photo voltaic).

The explanation I purchased the MINI is that it’s palms down essentially the most enjoyable EV to drive {that a} mere mortal can afford. I’m not making an attempt to belittle the Tesla in any manner, nevertheless it simply isn’t as enjoyable to drive. Sure, it accelerates higher — properly, in dual-motor guise — however MINIs are well-known for his or her “go kart” dynamics, and the SE hasn’t misplaced any of that. In reality, as somebody who has had a number of MINIs, it could even construct on the go kart really feel. The extra even weight stability mixed with on the spot electrical energy makes for a terrific expertise. I nonetheless have a smile each time I drive the little beast.

Electrical MINI. Picture courtesy of Majella Waterworth.

Round city, you by no means want final velocity, however acceleration, dealing with, and dimension make the electrical MINI the right metropolis automotive. Pulling out from an intersection or away from a inexperienced gentle is easy. The sporty suspension mixed with surefooted dealing with means a superb driving expertise. The Tesla is a superb automotive, however it’s no MINI. It’s far too sensible. ????

Everybody who has been within the automotive has been impressed. A good friend of mine who has a dual-motor Mannequin 3 commented on the suspension saying it had a much more sporty feeling. The acceleration is about as quick as a entrance wheel drive automotive can get, which is greater than sufficient for anybody who needs to maintain their licence. On that, my completely favorite function is the velocity limiter. I religiously use it and it’s enjoyable to know I by no means have to fret about rushing. The cabin is the alternative of a “customary” EV. It appears like a cockpit, encompassing you within the fantastic sports activities seats, with every little thing at finger’s attain. It appears like a “regular” automotive, not a spaceship. All the pieces is the place you anticipate it to be.

The one factor that annoys me is the GOM (Guess ‘o’ meter) for the expected vary. It’s hideously flawed — usually suggesting 150 km after charging, though I’ve handed 150 km with as much as 40% left. The official figures for the automotive are additionally fairly a great distance off. The vary is quoted at 233 km (in Australia), which isn’t too dangerous — I simply get this in sports activities mode. The 0–100 km/h is reported as virtually 1 second slower. The 0–60 km/h (most helpful in a metropolis setting) is kind of brutal and really corresponding to a single-motor Tesla.

All in all, I completely love the little MINI and wouldn’t hesitate in recommending it (assuming you may truly discover one to purchase), and I wouldn’t swap it for something in need of an unique automotive costing 10 occasions as a lot. It’s a metropolis warrior, so enjoyable to one-pedal drive in site visitors, and on the similar time really easy to drag out, or get throughout lanes with when wanted. I’ve by no means pushed something higher on the town, and I’ve pushed a number of vehicles.

As a footnote, I’m very pleased with my lifetime common of 12.5 kWh/100 km. The electrical MINI is kind of an environment friendly automotive. This common consists of many coastal journeys (at 110 km/h) and the same old mixture of freeway and metropolis driving. Purely round city, my finest is 10.5 kWh/100 km, and I get round 14.5 at freeway speeds on longer journeys.

Featured photograph courtesy of LGI.

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