When I pulled into our parking garage and up to the high-voltage charger, the Mini E was dripping wet.
Luckily, somebody left about 50 paper napkins shoved into the pocket on the driver door. Normally, this would drive me bonkers. Take your trash with you, people. But I had need of them.
Water and electricity, well, they are not the best of buds.
I dried off the area around the fuel door before I opened the cover. I didn't want any drops to fall in. Even so, the inside seemed a little damp. Condensation probably.
I dabbed at the area with a paper napkin to make sure it was dry. Then I plugged in. I'm sure I was being overly cautious. I'm a worrier by nature.
Surely, BMW would have made this area of the car waterproofed and safe. It would be ridiculous to not be able to plug in the car outside, right? I suppose it's no more dangerous than when you see some idiot smoking at the gas station.
There's a business up the street from us that has a fleet of Mini Es. I've seen at least three in their parking lot. They have chargers on the wall outside of their office. I wonder if they had any second thoughts before plugging in the Mini E in the rain.
Any Mini E drivers out there that can comment on the wet weather?
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
subytrojan says:
05:28 PM, 12/ 7/09
If the napkins are unused, should they really be considered trash? :o)
Nice story, Donna!
soareyes says:
05:32 PM, 12/ 7/09
Yeah, today was my first day dealing with the rain since getting my Mini E last June. The plug area under the 'gas' flap door should stay dry as long as the orange cover is kept in place. The east coast drivers have been driving in the rain (and now snow) for months and there are no reported problems that I am aware of. Don't worry! I'm sure BMW has anticipated wet weather and taken precautions with their charging system.
tomm250 says:
05:40 PM, 12/ 7/09
Donna:
You probably mean "Any Mini-E drivers OTHER THAN TOM out there" but I'll give my 2 cents anyway.
When I charge up at work it's outside, so yeah I charge in the rain all the time. The connector has a watertight seal so there should be no problem. I know at least one trial lease participant that charges outside at home also and plugs in every night rain or not. Still, I've never plugged in outside during a downpour and do not plan on doing so.
Two MINI-E posts in one day? I'm starting to think you might be taking this car seriously..
Tom
dderosa says:
05:48 PM, 12/ 7/09
I'm liking it more and more. I don't make many long trips, so it suits me fine. And I have another car just in case. -- Donna
vvk says:
06:57 PM, 12/ 7/09
Amazing how far ahead of the game GM was back in late 90s with its EV-1. It had a super-safe inductive charger that was safe to use in the rain.
billt9 says:
10:43 PM, 12/ 7/09
"And I have another car just in case"
Like a sports car, this has to be the "2nd" car.
Rich people only.
Or get it all in one package, the Chevy Volt, electric car and gas engine car in one! Wow!