BMW (BMW.DE) announced it will begin leasing its all-electric version of the Mini Cooper in the United States next year–but only 500, and only in California, New Jersey and New York.
Nonetheless, it is an important step in bringing electric vehicles to U.S. roads, and the all-electric mini sounds promising as a commuter vehicle.
BMW says its lithium-ion battery has a range of 150 miles, and the vehicle has a top speed of 95 miles per hour. The car is designed to be recharged overnight on a standard wall outlet–or quick-charged (2.5 hours) on a special charger to be installed in the garages of lease owners.
The drawbacks include limited interior room–what was the back seat, is now the battery compartment–and a hefty lease price of $850 month.
Read the Associate Press coverage.
Loading...