The Mini Of The Future: It's Electrifying!

I am rather excited about the prospect of BMW's potentially first, mass-market electric car: the Mini E.

Smart Cars are to introduce an electric version of their tiny car; however, its range is limited to, I think, 80 miles or so. The Mini E shall double that mileage to 150 and, what's more, owners will be able to re-charge the batteries from a special charger, at home, in two and a half hours.

This electric Mini has impressive acceleration, at 0-62mph in 8.6 seconds. If there is a snag for some, it is that the rear seating has been removed to make way for the huge batteries. So it is a two-seater.

As soon as the infrastructure is in place - hopefully within the next few years - to enable drivers to re-charge the car away from home, I'll definitely be interested.

It is not known when the Mini E will enter mass production or, indeed, be for sale in the United Kingdom.