The MINI Electric Hatchback: The Complete Guide For India

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Electric Cars: The Basics

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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

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The MINI Electric Hatch

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The iconic MINI internal combustion engine (ICE) car was manufactured by a UK based company, the British Motor Corporation (BMC). In 1996, the company was acquired by the German automotive company BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG), headquartered in Munich. The production of the classic petrol MINI stopped in 2000.

BMW is well known for its portfolio of luxury vehicles to include the famed Rolls-Royce luxury cars. The group also manufacturers a number of cars under its BMW brand, to include battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The BMW i3 EV is an excellent example of a successful pure electric car.

The MINI Electric was launched in 2020. BMW used its experience with the all-electric BMW i3 to develop the all-electric MINI. The MINI electric concept car was unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt IAA. The MINI electric is currently manufactured in the UK (Oxford).

However, MINI first went electric in 2008. The 612 MINI E cars were modified and used between 2009 and 2013 for the BMW Group to assess driver response to electric cars. The MINI E electric cars clocked up more than 16 million kilometres in six countries. The company also manufactures the MINI Countryman PHEV.

The MINI electric, like the all-electric Honda e, is primarily positioned for the urban driver. Its compact size, smaller EV battery size and limited pure electric range, is well suited for families living in congested cities and towns, keen on using a zero-tailpipe emission electric car, for most day-to-day needs: school runs, grocery store, local high street, work etc.

The pure electric MINI is available in only one EV battery size (32.6 kWh) and just a little smaller, compared to the Honda e (35.5 kWh). MINI claims a zero-emission electric range up to 231 km (WLTP). Real-world e-range will be lower, impacted by a number of factors, to include: driving profile, weather, road condition, tyre size, onboard services used and more. An EV range closer to 190 km is more realistic. Of course, the EV also incorporates regenerative braking to improve efficiency and electric range.

A 190 km EV range may not sound as impressive as some of the recent introductions of pure electric cars that offer between 300 km to 500 km on a single charge. But as mentioned above, how often are you driving distances that require a 500 km range? In all probability, very few really need to drive 500 km on a very regular basis. For the rest of us, a 200 km electric range is ample.

For those occasional motorway trips that are longer distances, the MINI electric car can be fast charged up to 50 kW DC. The EV can be charged up to 80% in 36 minutes and incorporates a 11 kW AC (3-phase) onboard charger as standard.

Given that most homes in India are powered by single-phase power supply, taking advantage of the 3-phase will be limited to only those with access to 3-phase charging at home, public charging points and at the workplace. The EV can be charged 100% in 2 hours and 30 minutes via a 3-phase EV charger.

For single-phase (7.4 kW) EV charging, the MINI electric can be fully charged in 3 hours and 12 minutes via a dedicated single-phase EV charger like myenergi zappi. Though the EV can be charged via a domestic 3-PIN plug, we at e-zoomed do not encourage using a domestic plug for charging an electric car. The EV will take up to 12 hours to fully charge via a 3-PIN socket.

We also recommend a ‘topping up’ approach to EV charging. This way, charging times are lower and the regular charging of the EV battery is good for its long-term maintenance. The automotive manufacturer offers a 8 years or 160,000 km warranty.

The front-wheel drive MINI electric hatchback delivers a decent performance. The zero-tailpipe emission electric car can achieve 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The maximum power available is 184 HP and 270 Nm torque. The top speed is 150 km/h. More than sufficient for urban and motorway driving. Of course, the EV also benefits from instant torque.

The iconic exterior stying does not need any introduction and the latest cosmetic upgrades to the MINI in 2011 further add to its appeal. The interior too is good quality, however, given the compact size of the car, cabin space for rear-seat passengers is limited. Moreover, the MINI EV is only available as a 3-door option, so gaining access to the rear seats is not quite as easy as the five-door MINI! The available boot space is 211 L.

On the positive side, the EV offers a decent array of technology and features, to include: 8.8″ centre display screen, acoustic pedestrian protection, heat pump, pre-conditioning, ambient lighting and more. The higher trims offer: head-up display, driving assistant, rear park distance control, rear view camera and panoramic glass sunroof.

Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet! The MINI electric is available in India.

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PROS	CONS
Good looks and exterior styling (iconic)	Limited cabin space and unpractical for a family (3-door). Five-door model not available
50 kW DC charging and 11 kW AC onboard charger as standard	Limited zero-emission range
High quality interior and standard equipment	Limited visibility (rear)

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The All-Electric MINI Hatch (credit: MINI)

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At A Glance
EV Type:	Battery-Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Vehicle Type:	Hatchback
Engine:	Electric
Available In India:	Yes

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Trims (1 Option)
MINI 3-DOOR COOPER SE (from Rs 52.50 Lakhs)

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EV Battery & Emissions
EV Battery Type:	Lithium-ion
EV Battery Capacity:	Available in one battery size: 32.6 kWh
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 36 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 30 mins)
Charge Port:	Type 2
EV Cable Type:	Type 2
Tailpipe Emissions:	0g (CO2/km)
Battery Warranty:	8 years or 160,000 km

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Charging Times (Overview)
Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW):	6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC)
Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW):	3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging AC (43 kW):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Rapid charging DC (50 kW+):	0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Ultra rapid charging DC (150 kW+):	0-80% : 20 mins to 40 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)
Tesla Supercharger (120 kW – 250 kW):	0-80%: up to 25 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC)

• Note 1: SoC: state of charge

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Dimensions
Height (mm):	1432
Width (mm):	1928
Length (mm):	3850
Wheelbase (mm):	2495
Turning Circle (m):	11.4
Boot Space (L):	211

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MINI Electric Hatch
EV Battery Capacity:	32.6 kWh
Pure Electric Range (WLTP):	231 km
Electric Energy Consumption (kWh/100km):	15.2 – 15.9
Charging:	50 kW DC Rapid Charging (10%-80%: 36 mins). Onboard charger 11 kW AC (0%-100%: 2 hrs 30 mins)
Top Speed:	150 km/h
0-100 km/h:	7.3 seconds
Drive:	Front-wheel drive
Electric Motor (kW):	135
Max Power (HP):	184
Torque (Nm):	270
Transmission:	Automatic
Seats:	4
Doors:	3
Driving Modes:	4 (Sport, Mid, Green, Green +)
Kerb Weight (kg):	1,365
Colours:	4
NCAP Safety Rating:	N/A

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Types Of Electric Vehicles (EVs)

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“Electric vehicle” is an umbrella term, and a broad one at that. There are a number of different types of electric vehicles (EVs), each with its distinct characteristics and advantages. These include:

• BEVs: Battery-electric vehicles (pure electric)
• PHEVs: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) combined)
• MHEVs: Mild hybrid electric vehicles (internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) along with regenerative braking)
• FCEVs: Fuel cell electric vehicle (electric with hydrogen as fuel)

The above “types” are powered either entirely or partially by electric energy and have different environmental impacts.

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Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

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Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as pure electric vehicles, are powered entirely by electricity (i.e. the vehicle does not have a conventional internal combustion engine). BEVs have zero-tailpipe emissions and help improve local air quality.

BEVs are also very economical to drive. A BEV can cost as little as Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive. Examples of best-selling EVs include, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 and the all-electric Renault Zoe. A BEV is charged by plugging in the electric vehicle to a dedicated electric car charging station (home or public charging stations). BEVs are well suited for those living in towns, cities and urban centres. Of course, battery-electric vehicles are also suitable for those living in rural settings.

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

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Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) differ from battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), in that, PHEVs use both a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric engine for propulsion. Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of electric driving and internal combustion engine driving.

On shorter distances, the PHEV uses the electric mode to drive emission-free, using the on-board EV battery and regenerative braking. For longer distances, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles switches to using the internal combustion engine. With a PHEV, the vehicle can cost as little Rs 50 per 100 kilometres to drive on e-mode, without any tailpipe pollution, and also be driven long-distances, without the fear of range anxiety! Most PHEVs have an EV battery of up to 15 kWh and can achieve a zero-emission electric range of up to 50 kilometres. No wonder PHEVs are fast becoming popular globally, with much potential or India. Like a BEV, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is charged by using an external power source (EV charging point) for charging.

PHEVs are suitable for those that drive long-distances on a regular basis but want to lower the negative environmental impact from tailpipe pollution. PHEVs are also suitable for those individuals and families that are seeking to save money by taking advantage of electric driving. The Volvo XC40 PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf 8 are good examples of PHEVs.

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Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)

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Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs) are a limited form of electric driving. These vehicles also use hybrid technologies (electric driving and internal combustion engine), but the EV battery is much smaller than a BEV or PHEV. Moreover, in a mild hybrid, the EV battery cannot be charged via an external source (i.e. EV charging station). In a MHEV, the battery is charged by capturing the energy released during braking, a process known as regenerative braking. MHEVs have lower tailpipe emissions, and are more economical to own, run and maintain than petrol and diesel cars. MHEVs are a better option than a petrol or diesel car, but not as good an option as a BEV or PHEV. Mild hybrids are well suited for those living in regions with limited charging infrastructure. Again, MHEVs have great potential in India, given the limited public EV charging infrastructure.

The Toyota Prius is a good example of a mild hybrid electric vehicle.

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

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Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) also called hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have a fuel cell stack that uses hydrogen to generate the electricity needed to power the electric vehicle. The fuel cell generates electricity and pure water vapour that can escape via the tailpipe. It is capable of generating electricity as long as there is a steady supply of hydrogen. Fuel cell electric vehicles can be refuelled with hydrogen at purpose built filling stations. Filling an FEC takes no more than five minutes.

FCEVs have a range of about 500 kilometers or more between refueling. Today, the only and major limitation is the very limited hydrogen refuelling station network globally. The Toyota Mirai FCEV is a good example of this type of EV.

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While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.

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