First Customer Receives Mini E Plug-In Electric Car

Peter Trepp, a venture capitalist from Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, became the first customer to get his hands on one of 500 Mini E plug-in electric vehicles being leased by BMW.

For roughly $850 a month, Trepp will be one of the chosen few who will act as real-world test subjects to see how the all-electric car handles in the real world. The E has a 600-pound lithium-ion battery, but no supplemental gas engine like the Chevy Volt. Its range ends after 156 miles.

Still, this is no problem for Trepp, who uses the vehicle mostly for his 15-mile roundtrip commute to Santa Monica. Trepp reports on his blog that he and his wife both want the keys, and that his neighbors have taken a great deal of interest in the car.

Trepp had a 240-volt outlet installed in his garage, and started his blog in order to entice BMW into choosing him for the E’s experimental lease. So far, he has been most surprised by the E’s acceleration, which — despite the vehicle’s dashboard “power meter” that shows drivers how to optimize energy use — has caused him to acquire a bit of a lead foot.

In case you're interested, here is another blog from a Mini E owner.

Meet the First Customer for BMW’s Mini E Plug-in Electric Car (OpenRoad)

Comments

I thought these were only avail in London?

Was this guy able to get one imported because he's wealthy? I guess they have started testing in California then?

They sound like a great step. Mini needs to eventually adapt them to include some sort of back seat, however. A two-seater is too impractical for most drivers. It was the downfall of the Insight. Smart is supposedly coming out with an all-electric model. At least the Smart was designed from the start as a two-seater.

What a useless but expensive relic. $850 per month doesn't even remotely come close to paying for this little car. These cars are heavily subsidized (just like the EV-1 were years ago). So THIS is what a town car really is - a car that can get you around town. Some people will do anything to get noticed, especially if they aren't otherwise distinguishable.

it's part of a pilot program in the US. The price of $850 is just to get feedback on what paying customers think of the car rather than people who got them free.
I'd guess that the tech etc would cost $100K if they sold them for a modest profit.

This dude is off his rocker. $850 a month to advertize for Mini. Sweet Deal. Woo hoo... look at this boring ass Mini Cooper that costs me $850 per month.

I just applied for the next Test-Programm here in Germany. Maybe I can take part in the german Beta-phase :-)