Our Planet Could Use More Electric Mini Coopers

There are few compacts in today’s auto market that are as stylish and fun to drive as a Mini Cooper, and the electric version is no exception. This agile little two-door hatchback from BMW isn’t right for everyone, but it has many appealing attributes that set it apart from other EVs. Large, powerful luxury vehicles are currently dominating the U.S. EV market at a time when the Earth needs to see droves of smaller, more efficient EVs driving out of dealerships. The Mini Cooper SE strikes a nice balance between driving excitement and environmental benefits, and it does so at a very reasonable price.

The electric Mini is designed to appeal to green motorists on a budget who aren’t overly concerned about driving range. It can only travel 110 miles on a single charge. That’s not a very impressive spec, but perfectly adequate for most commutes. The skimpy range is due to its relatively small 32.6-kWh battery, which is less than half the size of EVs optimized for longer trips.

But a smaller battery has its advantages. EV batteries tend to be heavy and expensive. The Mini’s lighter battery reduces its total curb weight to just 3009 pounds, which is quite svelte for an EV. Pair that with the same 181 horsepower motor used in the BMW i3 and you’ve got yourself a hatch that can jump from zero to sixty in less than seven seconds. Precise placement of the T-shaped battery pack gives the EV the lowest center of gravity of any Mini, a brand that is already notorious for its brisk go-cart handling. All that adorable spunk comes with a base sticker price of only $30,750. After a $7,500 tax credit from Uncle Sam and a California rebate of $2,000, it can be acquired for a little over twenty grand.

That is a very attractive price for a base model that includes a lot of modern amenities. The SE is especially capable when it comes to refueling, a very important quality in a car with limited range. The ample 7.4-kilowatt onboard charger can accept DC supercharging at 50 kilowatts, filling to 80% in 36 minutes. A decent Level 2 home charging station will top off the battery in less than five hours.

While many would argue that a car with only 110 miles of range is a dog that won’t hunt, BMW is counting on a special kind of buyer with different priorities. Increasing the range of the SE with a heavy battery would have meant sacrificing the legendary performance characteristics that Mini drivers have come to expect. A sluggish electric Mini Cooper wouldn’t really be a Mini Cooper at all. This vehicle succeeds brilliantly on its own terms by not trying to be all things to all people. If you’re in the market for a nimble urban runabout with dashing good looks, you’re not going to find a better choice in the world of EVs.