To EV or not to EV, that is the question....

[fredgroves]

Thats a great writeup.

Thanks!

I'm still planning on a Mini-E sometime in the next year or so and you confirm its what I thought it might be.

[Exonian]

I’m really pleased to see you’ve further bonded with the MINI so well Splashalot.
You’ve written kind of what I expected as I’ve been following a bustling little MINI EV group since the cars were launched and there is almost nothing but glowing positivity about the cars. In fact the group is very much like here, friendly and open minded as opposed to some of the serious and argumentative sites I’ve seen for other cars.
If I hadn’t been totally sold on the MINI EV from the off I certainly would be after reading your thoughts on it.

I’d never taken the slightest bit of notice of anything wearing a Lexus badge previously, as to me they are either massive luxury barges or lumpen SUV’s which go against anything I’d want in a car, but that IS replacement really does look as sensational as you said. That is the sort of thing I’d have expected an EV to look like when presented with an opportunity to design something ground up that has no ICE rather than some of the bland European designs.

 

[Splashalot]

Do you have a link to that Mini EV group, Exonian?

I've found one (albeit very) minor niggle: The rear view mirror is positioned low on the windscreen and interferes with forward vision on left-hand bends and corners.  That's it, nothing else!

On the issue of range, I've not calculated total range available, as it's so far been a non-issue for me.  But I thought it might be useful to quantify for others.  So I jumped on gmap pedometer and measured my usual daily trip: 23kms.  This has consistently used 10% of the Mini's battery, irrespective of starting point (ie. 100% charged or less).  So extrapolating that, I'd expect total range in my usual circumstances to be ~230kms.  Which is spot-on the WLTP estimate of 232kms.  Bear in mind that is in Summer useage with little heater or aircon use.

I think most online testers complaining of the range go by the Mini's guess-o-meter in the main instrument display, which is notoriously inaccurate and even more pessimistic than me.  Mine usually shows 160-170kms available at 100% charge. 
 

[Exonian]

Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MiniElectricUK/?ref=share
hopefully that works.

Unfortunately due to the shape of the MINI the mirror is quite low.

[Splashalot]

Thanks for the link, Exonian.  Unfortunately they knocked-back my application to join the group saying it's UK only!   

[Exonian]

Did I mention they were friendly?
Maybe not after all!   
Their loss.

This vid is quite interesting https://youtu.be/bKIzfJar41I not just because it’s (hopefully) an almost affordable electric Porsche, but the way the battery will be mounted. It demonstrates why the MINI SE handles so well despite the battery. Unlike most BEV’s where the battery is mounted in a rectangular block under the floor it’s similar to the MINI in the fact much of it is behind the driver between the rear wheels keeping the roof low and the battery mass towards the centre of the car thus improving handling. 

[SRGTD]

@Splashalot; I enjoy reading your thoughts on the Mini-E and I’m seriously considering one for my next car. As I’m not due to change my present car for another 2.5 - 3 years, it might be the next generation Mini that I’ll be looking at.

Since the start of the pandemic, my annual mileage has dropped to around 5k and typically my longest journey is a 60-70 mile round trip, so I don’t see the Mini’s relatively low range as a significant issue. With advances in battery technology, I’d anticipate the next generation car to have a longer range - I just hope that Mini don’t mess with the car’s design too much; the retro design is one of the Mini’s charms for me - I grew up in the era of the original Mini .

[Exonian]

Good fun little vid and topical for the forum:

https://youtu.be/nV3CeD3324U

[Splashalot]

That perfectly illustrates my thoughts - I still cannot align the Mini's 135kw/270nm and 1465kgs with the performance on offer.  My GTI had 169kw/380nm and from memory was slightly lighter.  Yet the Mini feels more pokey (and fun) around town.  Logically, it must be the instant and seamless torque from zero RPM.

I must admit I do like the idea of a Kia EV6 to eventually replace our Mazda 3 Astina for family and longer distance duties. (Edit: Or an ID3 if: a. VW ever get the software/UI sorted; and b. VW Aus ever get around to releasing it.)  Once you've had a taste of the performance and low (in our case, near zero) running costs it is addictive. 

[Exonian]

Apologies, another video:
https://youtu.be/zFTVuNZl1gk

The reviewer nails it for me as to how most EV’s fail as hot hatches.
Too high up, too much focus on range, less development spent on handling, brakes and FUN.
SUV EV’s are obviously the biggest demand and easiest to design. Wheels, battery, pop a jelly mould body on top.
Obviously the only fun we have the right to demand are funky graphic displays and blistering races between traffic lights on straight roads.

This is why the little MINI still stands almost alone thanks to its ICE underpinnings.