From the outside it doesn't appear as though our Mini E is any different than a regular Cooper or Cooper S. But open any of the door and you're in for a little surprise.
Well, a surprise if you're not already aware that this is essentially a rolling pack of batteries. There are so many of them in fact that they take the place of the rear seat and most of what was already a small cargo bay. Makes for a pretty useless car in terms of utility as it can barely swallow one passenger and a duffel bag at any one time.
That said, I kind of like using it for my ridiculously short commute and whatever errands I need to run when I get home. It drives a hundred times better than our Insight and looks more interesting than our Focus. Then again, it costs a lot more than either of those mass market cars, so it's not a perfect package by any means.
Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line @ 377 miles
brn says:
06:17 PM, 08/ 4/09
"I kind of like using it for my ridiculously short commute and whatever errands"
If I had a ridiculously short commute, I'd like such a vehicle too.
nealibob says:
05:04 AM, 08/ 5/09
Still better than the smart, no?
carguy622 says:
06:47 AM, 08/ 5/09
I predicted they would be complaining about storage space soon enough. It's the price you pay for this car, it was expected. This is nothing surprising. Can't berate the Ram for getting poor milage, can't berate the Mini E for this either.
DLu says:
08:15 AM, 08/ 5/09
how short is "ridiculously short"?
i am guessing that if i walked a ridiculously short distance, i can carry almost as much as the Mini E... using energy stored in my love handles and belly that nobody would want to conserve. ;)
there's technology around to wirelessly charge batteries. all we need are towers scattered around and cars can go all day, charging as they go. :) maybe the available current and voltage might be a bit low with current technology. haha
brn says:
08:34 AM, 08/ 5/09
With a ridiculously short commute, I'd consider driving my lawn tractor to work. Costs less than even a Tata Nano.
fuhteng says:
09:09 AM, 08/ 5/09
But see, it doesn't produce ANY harmful emissions! Just ask the tree-huggers!
compliance says:
09:14 AM, 08/ 5/09
I wonder if they could have gotten more useful interior space by not packaging the batteries in a big lump. I'm thinking they could have kept the floor flat in the back, but raised the level. You would lose vertical space but gain the depth to the back of the front seats.
firstwagon says:
09:15 AM, 08/ 5/09
If your commute is that short, just walk.
Years ago I had a job that was less then a mile from my house and I always walked. It was great, no traffic stress and a tank of gas lasted weeks because I only used it when I wanted.
We have a corner store 2 blocks away and it's amazes me how many of my neighbours drive there. It seems nobody even thinks of walking these days.
texases says:
09:55 AM, 08/ 5/09
"I'm thinking they could have kept the floor flat in the back, but raised the level."
You're right, but that would have required some significant time/$$ to redesign. This is a publicity stunt, nothing more, and it needed to be done quickly, for few $$. Yank the engine, rear seats, put in an engine, a battery-filled box and plug, intant PR!
jm1212 says:
09:58 AM, 08/ 5/09
the thing with electric cars is though, the batteries are tied to the computer/electronics market as well. the E is a prototype, but even production vehicles will see pretty radical battery changes are years go by. in one year, there is a chance that a battery that is half the size of those in the E will go the same distance, or one the same size will go twice as far.
ahightower says:
10:35 AM, 08/ 5/09
Electric cars will need "frunks". There's a reason why the Tesla is based on the mid-engine Lotus. Electric Porsches should be pretty good.