The issue with EV's with this sort of size battery...as I've found out with my 2016 Leaf 30kWh is that whilst yes, the range is suitable for most days, you end up needing to work the battery quite hard i.e. fully charging and deeply discharging on a more regular basis than a larger capacity car, especially in winter when that 120 miles drops to more like 105 miles. That's okay for the first year or two but 3.5 year and 63,000 miles down the track this winter is seeing me regularly getting less than 90 miles on really cold days. This in turn means I'm working the battery even harder because its range limit is getting close to my daily mileage some days which is meaning the battery is further degrading. My Leaf has been great and I'm glad I bought it but for my next car, which will be an EV, I will be getting the biggest battery/range I can afford because that means I can afford not to charge to 100% as often, will put less cycles on my battery and ultimately 3-5 years after purchase I will still have a very useful range.

@simonyapp

4 жыл бұрын

Ben Paynter well said, same here. I love our 24kwh leaf but it’s worked hard in the winter. Also trying to get a 40Kwh EV ASAP.

@petergorton9848

4 жыл бұрын

Ben, the problem is your Leaf has a seriously crap battery management system with no thermal management. BMW designed its original battery system properly, with excellent thermal management, and buffers top and bottom. You can run it to zero, and Rapid Charge thousands of times, with no ill effects. The Mini has the same system, in a different form factor. It won’t be a problem. A bit more range would be good!

@benpaynter

4 жыл бұрын

@@petergorton9848 Fair point. The Leaf has so far been my only EV experience so looking forward to experiencing some proper thermal management in the future. For the time being I can at least warm the battery by rapid charging lol!!

@davidmccarthy6061

4 жыл бұрын

You might have a valid point, or not. It's just a guess so I don't think people should write it off based on your SWAG. The i3 data could be a way to guess better but I assume by now the chemistry has changed. Experienced EV owners have learned what range they need so this may be fine for a ton of people. When I'm retired and need 5 miles of range to get to the doctor and groceries this will quite fine.

@ArizVern

4 жыл бұрын

A GREAT STARTER EV. I started with Chevy Volt 38 miles on a charge, daughter loves the Volt now. The volt is a great STARTER EV, wife has a 16k miles on a Model 3 and waiting for Cybertruck. Total electric home with 11k solar.

Barely any factory tour, which is what I came here for.

love the info graphics in the corner

@David-qs5ii

4 жыл бұрын

Shame about the “regenerative breaking” though!

Can't help but think they've missed a trick by not calling it The Min-E 🤔

@callumhardy5098

4 жыл бұрын

Gus Johnson True, but then mostly everything we buy has been manufactured like that. But they still missed a trick calling it the min-e.

@Amuzic_Earth

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson you are right about roller skates(or cycles or walking for that matter). But, for time/efforts and other convenience factor EVs(including electric cars, motorcycles and cycles) are the most optimum alternatives we have in comparison to fossil vehicles. It's about getting better from what we have and not reach the ideal/perfect solution overnight. People are at different levels of being there because we can't tell all of 7.5 billion people to reject fossil cars and start walking, EVs are the middle ground.

@mgammeren

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson Can you imagion that all those things are the same for fossil fuel cars that than are going to pollute the local evironment they drive in? Bollocks!

@irish-medi-weed-grower5240

4 жыл бұрын

mine . dont they either blow up or get dug out ?

@irish-medi-weed-grower5240

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson lithium cobalt were the first gen of lithium batteries . the ones used in phone batteries and the such like . most car batteries are lithium ion now . so no child miners involved . everything you buy other than those items manufactured in your own country tend to be transported around the world in huge fucking ships . you sound like an old stuck record .

I'd prefer to get more factory tour with my factory tour :(

@snowstrobe

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, that was my thought at end too.

@Mr_Battlefield

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@GadgetsGearCoffee

4 жыл бұрын

It was like factory shot versus tour

@cbromley562

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson Like the device you’ve used to post this rant?

@Scuba72Chris

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson ...Is one of those great clattering buttocks who reads the Daily Fail and takes all the anti-EV FUD as gospel.

Damn! I work there, if i had only known, i would have come and said hi!

And then you got back in your Model 3 and said, "What the @#&$ is wrong with everyone else?"

@garyallsopp6369

4 жыл бұрын

Except of course Tesla don't make a car like this, or the Zoe, or the e-Up/Mii/Citigo or even the Smart EQ. Don't get me wrong; I love Tesla & everything the're achieving, but let's face it, despite all the tech and the Mini's backward underpinnings,Tesla are years away from making a car like this. I'm not complaining, making small cars is difficult - BMW had to buy Rover group to learn how to do it (remember how awful the first 1 series was) Tesla will do it (or buy someone who does) and will excel here also, but let's not pretend they're automotive Jesus - They may have turned water into wine but even Tesla don't have that many fish in their basket. :-)

@cooltwittertag

3 жыл бұрын

@@garyallsopp6369 And don't forget the disturbing lack of qc in Teslas.

might need to balance sound a bit more. The music is too loud or the pieces to camera are too quiet. Just FYI :) (Correction, not all the music, just some bits)

@ghunt1023

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson I agree that the sound is poorly balanced, but your last sentence is excessive and unnecessary. Totally uncalled for and very inappropriate.

@bobgerac

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds absolutely fine to me.

@abucketofelves

4 жыл бұрын

@@ghunt1023 he's a not very obvious troll, best not to feed him

@csorrows

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson You mean post-production.

@KevinT3141

4 жыл бұрын

Yep, watching on the main floor while my wife is sleeping in upstairs and had to adjust the volume constantly so that I could hear Robert but not wake her up during the interludes. Definitely needs attention to leveling out the audio during post production. I've noticed this in a few other Fully Charged videos as well. :-(

Hi, I'm not a car person at all (much to my dad's lament I think) but I'm *really* enjoying your shows; particularly whilst I wait for my Electric Mini to be built. Your shows are exactly the right level for me - someone who likes to have a car without being a car-nut. Also seeing someone who "does car stuff" reversing quite so 'expressively' brought a smile. Thank you!

I test drove this car last weekend . The salesman took me down a few quiet roads and egged me on to get a feel for the car . It really is a fun car to drive and while admittedly the range of the vehicle could be better for city driving it would be great . I had a massive smile on my face after 20 minutes driving the car . I could easily see myself and my wife arguing over who is driving this mini . It really is a great little car to drive

@mgammeren

4 жыл бұрын

I have driving a Mini Clubman before and i would imagion that this electric version drives really, really well.

@seanwhelan9715

4 жыл бұрын

mgammeren Yes it does . I tried this one pedal driving that everyone keeps talking about . On the higher regeneration I never touched the brake pedal . Coming in to a hard bend I just eased off the accelerator and then powered around it . Kind of like the feeling of driving with a manual gearbox but without the gear change . Great fun !!

@mgammeren

4 жыл бұрын

@@seanwhelan9715 That's fun indeed! I have driven the Zoe, EQC, E-tron, Model S, Leaf and last weekend the MG ZS. I would love to buy one for ourselves but need som funds for that. Think for our family the MG ZS will be one of the best in price range and bootspace. We need that with two small children.

Basically a BMW i3 wedged into a mini chassis, it would have been interesting in 2013...

@procupine14

4 жыл бұрын

And not even the latest revision of the i3's package.

@petergorton9848

4 жыл бұрын

Justin Evans it is EXACTLY the latest guts from an i3, with a different battery form factor. There have been loads of electronic improvements in i3 (my 2014 now has latest electronics and s/w). It just looks the same.

@gergall1809

4 жыл бұрын

Wasn't a MINI testbed around that time used to sort out the running gear for what became the i3? The battery pack took up the rear seats..

@martshearer498

4 жыл бұрын

A low, heavy i3

@ededdynova

3 жыл бұрын

and the i3 is faster, rwd, lighter and turns loads more heads and the lease deals are loads cheaper then the mini e too. Very poor half effort car.

Robert thank you for the honest report, you are so right when it's so easy to install a better battery system & drive train.

Range - I have been meaning to mention for ages the differences between WLTP range and "real world" range. It is common for Robert and it seems just about everyone to cut the number from the WLTP range, so 400 kms is perhaps 350 "Real World". I have Kona Electric and have had for 10 months now (14,000 kms in). The total consumption average over that entire time is 17% above the WLTP range. That is I get 525 kms per charge on average vs the 450 WLTP quoted. The primary reason for this I suspect in my driving that is mostly Urban. When you look at the detail of the stats for the Kona, the numbers that are quoted are around 525 kms Urban range and 380 km Highway - Ie a big difference depending on what you are doing. This is perhaps the point the mention. I just thought I would let people know that there are probably some people (1 at least) who are regularly getting above the WLTP range guide.

Built to not compete with the BMW 3.......

The production of this Channel is amazing!

RL: "You need miles of wiring in cars, its something we never think about" Elon Musk: "Hold my beer"

@sjcsystems

4 жыл бұрын

That is EXACTLY what I thought...

@TheJAMF

4 жыл бұрын

70km or about 45 miles, compared to model S's 2 miles, model 3's 1 mile and supposedly 100 meters or 110 yards for the model Y. "Standing still is the fastest way of moving backwards in a rapidly changing world."

@DownunderGraham

4 жыл бұрын

Wish that translated to more cost effective Tesla’s. :(

@TheJAMF

4 жыл бұрын

@@DownunderGraham It does, but you will not notice a huge difference. The model Y has a couple more features than the 3 (powered lift gate?). If you compare purely on dollars/euros per range, then the model 3 LR is comparable to a Renault Zoe R90 or a Nissan Leaf e+ 62. A Kia e-Niro 64 has a lower price-per-range-distance.

Great point about the range....everyone has that lingering concern about those days when they need to drive more than that. For many of us with long commutes and kids, 160 or 180 mile ranges feel like it would make a huge difference for this car

Thank you Robert. For anyone else this would be a fair and honest assessment of the Mini-E but for you this is an unusually harsh road test. No complaints from me, I like the new tell it as it is warts and all (barely adequate range, built on an existing ICE car body compromises) style.

In its category the mini is one of the best to drive, dynamics are good, its nice place to be.

The low range is on purpose so they don't sell many.

@Mr_Battlefield

4 жыл бұрын

And that is why I can't recommend anyone buying a electric vehicle from a stubborn old car manufacturing that can't get with the times.

@jamesx2703

4 жыл бұрын

Or is it to keep the price lower? Most mini drivers probably do 6,000 miles a year

@matthewwatt2295

4 жыл бұрын

@@jamesx2703 the price isn't even that low! You can get better range (although worse trim/luxury) in the citigo/mii/up! for much less money.

@mez8384

3 жыл бұрын

M W range is overrated: I do not need more range, I definitely prefer this range-price-weight balance

@ededdynova

3 жыл бұрын

nope to save money on the r&D costs mate works in their head office they refussed to fully re-design the floor pan hence the crap range

I don't think Robert is doing the EV movement any favours making comments about (10:58) about them just swapping the petrol drive train for an electric one. Surely the idea is to get rid of the petrol engines, so any move in that direction has got to be a good thing, hasn't it. The Mine is a brand, people want Mini's so why not give them electric one's, just a thought.

I like the new info graphics, good job

This is a wonderful second car. Well priced too.

I remember with fondness the guerilla days of fully charged when Robert convinced us that the i-miev is a great car with perfectly adequate range. These days it often feels like just another consumer program. That's why I enjoy the most those segments where he presents renewable energy developments and other, non-car related topics.

@fullychargedshow

4 жыл бұрын

I tried to convey the notion that the range on the Mini is isn't the problem, but public perception, the notion that you need 400 miles range on one charge or it's totally useless is annoyingly real. That was more my worry

@nosuchthingasshould4175

4 жыл бұрын

@@fullychargedshow Sorry for nitpicking. Just getting sentimental for the romantic days of yore. Nowadays your program is a well established force to be reckoned with. Deservedly so. But I always liked when things creak and squeak as they go under the radar. It's just esthetics.

Got the feeling Robert didn't like it at all. Came across very clearly.

@jocelyndeguise

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah but he was too much of a pussy to admit it. Pretty sure he got a great swag bag.

@davidsommen1324

4 жыл бұрын

@@jocelyndeguise He could have said 'I hate it' but that would not comport to the reality that it (probably - I obviously haven't driven it) is a nice car. There are very few things that actually make it a bad car, apart from the range perhaps. But it is obvious that Robert doesn't like it on an emotional level. He did acknowledge that in some way I think, could have been clearer but is it that relevant for people who ARE attached to the Mini brand and might consider switching to EV because of it?

@TraditionalAnglican

4 жыл бұрын

Kevin Gill - I loved it when he said, “I find the car to be extremely adequate.”

@TraditionalAnglican

4 жыл бұрын

Jocelyn Deguise - So he “damned it with faint praise”, which accomplished the same thing without unduly pissing somebody off, which means Mini management will WANT him to drive the car when Mini finally puts out a reasonable EV with 249 m/400 km of range & a 0-60 time that’s comparable to a Tesla Model 3 SR+.

@larryspiller15

4 жыл бұрын

He's only aloud to say he hates an ev if its a Tesla because they don't give fully charged any hand outs. Talk bad about any of the legacy and bye bye press pass, bye bye flight paid for to exotic locations to stay in a nice hotel while they drive the new vehicle

I love Robert and Fully Charged, but would have liked to see more 'car details' in this - what do the back seats look like, describe how the steering feels, give us a shot of the boot! I know you're looking for some more car-focused people to replace Jonny, hang in there :) (equally frustrated this seems to be low effort from BMW!) Edit: watched the video again, I've come around a bit. Let the rest of the automotive press cover the interior stitching and body gaps. A broader look at these cars' placing in the industry is something we don't get enough of. Keep at it :)

@davidsommen1324

4 жыл бұрын

Other 'proper' car channels will do that, Robert is the one that has a more relevant perspective on the car as an electric car, in function of other cars and the EV transition as a whole.

@matthewwatt2295

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidsommen1324 I know, there is a great value in that kind of a video. I just think there's a balance to be struck somewhere between autocar and coverage like this.

@davidsommen1324

4 жыл бұрын

@@matthewwatt2295 You're right and I think there that after Jonny Smith's departure they are looking for someone else (a car guy) to do that stuff.

@TheLateBrakeShow

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidsommen1324 Or you just watch my review?

@MrAdopado

4 жыл бұрын

@@davidsommen1324 Just watch Jonny Smiths review on his own channel ...

Funny to think my old Morris Minor was built on this very site 66 years ago. How times have changed! :)

@insightman

4 жыл бұрын

I believe BMW moved the factory to make their MINI.

That is a snazzy looking mini E! Like that car!

*I work there, we build 1000 cars everyday! Standard, Electric & GP model* 😉

@derKameramann

4 жыл бұрын

1000 !!! Wow. Would give me a Smile while entering the Workspace. Everyday.

Great video!! Thanks :)

Jonny Smith's review was, hate to say, much more informed, thorough, and entertaining.

Nice, thanks for the video 👍✌️❤️

Glad you mentioned 'adaptive cruise' Robert. It is my number one feature that I would like, even pushing EV powertrain down to number 3. All cruise controls should now be adaptive, as standard. Like HD on a TV ! (I'm looking at you BBC local news)

Enjoyed the brief glimpses of the factory in the clip. I used to work there as a graduate student back in the early 80s on the Austin Maestro. Lots more robots these days.

@derKameramann

4 жыл бұрын

I miss my beloved old Defender. He was a real Englishman. In terms of: is this particular screw metric or imperial? Hmm.. who forgot the 1/2" Nut behind the Doorpanel? Why someone left a Beerbottle-Cap under the Carpet? How can THIS be rusty/leaking/broken??? But a old faithful. Never ever broke down without a good reason and no sight to a pub..

Telling it how it is Robert. Well done.

Super Robert as always ! keep at it :-)

“Built with a Petrol Car consciousnesses “. = Legacy car manufacturers.

@csorrows

4 жыл бұрын

This is exactly the wrong way to go about designing electric cars and is why Tesla and other start ups are so far ahead.

@sievans79

4 жыл бұрын

They've built it like that so they don't have to build a new production line. Current ICE car sales will pay for the R&D for future electric vehicles.

@chriswhite7727

4 жыл бұрын

I agree that it's a legacy plan for the car but it's a safe, familiar design for many - the MINI and Mini is an icon and so it going electric will get a lot of the cars on the road. That is demand which will help get more charging infrastructure and push local and national governments to move in the direction we want them to go. I'll bet the next gen Mini-E will be quite different - BMW have evolved the Mini design over the 30 years (I'm counting the 90s when they took over Rover) and they will continue to.

@ashleylee4446

4 жыл бұрын

Gus Johnson you seem like a charming(!) individual. If you don’t like the content produced here go somewhere else.

@richardblackburn4193

4 жыл бұрын

People who buy this car are not EV fans. They're mini fans buying a new car that runs on electric.

That battery pack is tiny. The fact it will do 130 miles is amazing!

@insightman

4 жыл бұрын

I was disappointed we didn't get to see the battery more clearly. It's doesn't use the same cells as the i3, the MINI Cooper SE's cells are made by CATL. When cells improve, I hope the car gets lighter because sportiness, not long-range, is this car's mission.

The i3 does have a energy use/regeneration gain display on the on-board display - you have to cycle the 'trip computer' button to see it on the instrument display. I'm sure the Mini has that too

Went to Cowley in May last year and really enjoyed it, done 2x JLR factories since, most fascinating !

@emmajacobs5575

4 жыл бұрын

Chris Bury Can anyone go for the tour round?

Interesting review; thanks, Robert! It’s probably fair to say that the drive (haha) toward 300-mile ranges is strongly influenced by Tesla and US-centric needs. In Europe, of course, you folks have far-better public transit, and I’m talking trains here (a heck of a lot better than here in Austin TX!). Having a “city car” to take care of your day-to-day driving needs, along with a rail pass, will cover almost all of your needs. So, a 120ish-mile range, for most of Europe, should be just fine! That’s a harder sell in the North American market, though! So, I hope the can increase its range if this comes to the US. Then again, the 120 miles is presumably WLTP, meaning that it’s probably really more like 95ish. That’s starting to get a bit iffy, truthfully... Probably still doable, but really pushing it, as you pointed out!

Great review ! I love the graphics used to explain the specs of the vehicle !! 4:50

As soon as you made the statement on the range of 120 miles. I nearly switched off, anything less than 200 miles is a waste for most folk.

@DuvJones

4 жыл бұрын

It does limit the thing to urban centres, which is kind of a shame.

@razor3236

4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree. Especially when mini's are made to have fun and not drive everywhere in Eco mode. A few quick starts, sporty driving, heating or A/C will probably see range dip to 100 miles (it was showing 91 miles of range left at 90% charge). I think they missed a trick by not giving it 200 miles to start with.

I love the jump cut at 3:25

@benjibatch

4 жыл бұрын

Dan Riches it’s more of a match cut if you wanna get technical

I liked your "mini" report - from making to driving. Honesty is always the best policy. Being on the receiving end of honesty is an opportunity to highlight the overlooked and improve what was found lacking. Fully Charged - you've done your part. BMW, it is now your turn. RESPOND to "us" your potential customers. That's all. P.S. I like how you mentioned other EVs only to show perspective without that pesky feature for feature comparison bit that always turns out wrong for someone. Thank you for sharing...

BMW is cracking me up, didn't see that coming in 2020. Thanks BMW for making my day.

My spouse's Mini comes off lease next month, and we'd really hoped to replace it with one of these, but just driving around the wintry New England suburbs my Model 3 regularly uses more than 100 miles of range, so I think the range anxiety would be too much. We're leaning Bolt-wards, there are some amazing lease deals on that right now.

wow so in about 10 years since the prototype they've... added CCS? and a new dash?

@TheLateBrakeShow

4 жыл бұрын

And back seats.

@Mobile_Dom

4 жыл бұрын

@@TheLateBrakeShow high bar for a decade Johnny. I wanted to love this thing *so much*

@wermagst

4 жыл бұрын

“There are no customer requests for BEVs. None,” BMW’s director of development, Klaus Frölich, told a shocked round-table interview in Munich on Tuesday. “There are regulator requests for BEVs, but no customer requests. If we have a big offer, a big incentive, we could flood Europe and sell a million (BEV) cars but Europeans won’t buy these things,” Frölich insisted. www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltaylor/2019/06/27/bmw-says-european-customers-arent-demanding-evs/#6e8e6931141b "However, our four- and six-cylinder diesels will remain for at least another 20 years and our gasoline units for at least 30 years." europe.autonews.com/automakers/bmw-rd-chief-sees-rising-demand-diverse-multifunctional-powertrains That's from the guy who's responsible for BMW's future.

@manwithcorsae7738

4 жыл бұрын

@@wermagst Agree. Making compromised EV like the Mini will stop people requesting. It's a self fulfilling prophesy! Look how well MG are selling with the MG EZS. Even though it's built on the ICE ZS platform it's done with an EV in mind and priced to sell.

Like the new graphics with all the car spec’s,

Love the finish line at the factory!

@edwardbyard6540

4 жыл бұрын

The factory tour is fantastic. Well worth doing.

Great vid Robert!! Totally agree, mini-e looks lovely, price is pretty good. But the 2012-style range is big sticking point sadly. A 200 mile (ish) range would make this a winner. This car will have under 100 miles in winter. That’s just not good enough. Despite this gripe, I think (and hope) they’ll sell a bunch of these. As a second car it’s delightful.

@js-hl5hv

3 жыл бұрын

It depends on where you live. I've had one now for a while, and my winter range is around 140 miles. I will say that my winter is like your summer :)

@brucekennedy5274

3 жыл бұрын

​@@js-hl5hv That's awesome I hope you're loving it! Wow, must be warm where you live. Sorry I should have clarified, British winter. I'm a big fan of minis (we have a 6yr old petrol one and it's great) but the shortened range in our cold months here is just too limiting for me to consider one personally.

I was hoping for a better review but hopefully the next generation will be designed as an electric? Thanks for posting this and I like the Union Jack taillights too!

My Model 3 has the perfect range for the size of the UK. 300 miles equates to 200 miles real world in winter. I wouldn't like less in a main family car, but the Mini as a second town runabout would work (if a bit expensive for this purpose).

I think the range will cover most people's daily drive. I have just leased a Skoda Citigo-e with a similar range (WLTP 265 km) and it has a larger boot, feels like a larger car and will meet 90% of our needs. When we have to go further, we rent a car, because we might need more luggage space with two grown ups and two children 12 and 15. The advantage with the Skoda is also the price, about ,GBP 25000 and a government incentive of 5000 in Sweden where I live.

This car, if you've seen it in person and under the bonnet, seems like the project they gave the intern to do over the summer last year. I was highly disappointed when i saw it up close. I registered my interest for the mini-e with my local dealer and was one a very few that made them start a register of interest a number of years back. BMW missed a trick here, they could have made something so iconic. It could have not just been the ultimate little electric car for environmentally conscious consumers, but also for the petrol heads. An extra motor in the rear instead of the underfloor parcel shelf could have made this a sporty little number, cornering with dynamics like modern performance cars. For those that want added storage space in the car and further range, just delete the rear seats. If you need to go anywhere in comfort with a number of people, one of them is likely to have a spacious 5+ seater.

For most who have a short commute to a not well paid job, cost is everything. Those who have a ICE Mini will drive it till its knackered or a more cost effective car is available. Even early used Leafs are in high demand and often hard to find.

Great review Robert, well done! I think the limited range won't really be a consideration for it's target audience; it's a 'city car' and the battery will last for days. And for longer trips - if it only takes half an hour to get to 80%, it's not a massive delay...

Agreed, the range is an issue especially when battery degradation kicks in just not much wiggle room, I like the size and especially the two doors and a hatch and being an Leaf owner I like seeing my regen dots, unfortunately the mini is just not enough so I settle for my Leaf but still dream of the ZOE I will never own because I live in the most backwards country in the world the US, am actually looking at Canada though.

Love factory tours Love Robert Love Fully Charged

How is a road trip in the back seats? I remember early 2010 Mini's being uncomfortable as any divot in the road was felt in the back seat.

Large capacity batteries are great, but also heavy, consume a lot of resources, and are expensive. You are 100% correct that 100 real mile range is more than most people really need for the vast majority of their driving. It is finding a way to have the charging infrastructure and technology quick and convenient enough to deal with those occasions when longer trips are taken that will be the deciding factor as to whether electric cars will truly have universal appeal. Tesla level technology downsized to a subcompact not designed for 0-60 times and priced to compete with entry level Toyotas would make the revolution inevitable.

Great video! And yet again a new car, packed with tech, where the taillights are disabled when the DRL mode is active = fail! When are OEM's going to learn?!

Irrelevant, mediocre in every way bar the price.

@cubiq1

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson If you want some facts surrounding this very issue, I recommend reading the publication "Cleaner Cars from Cradle to Grave" by the Union of Concerned Scientists: www.ucsusa.org/resources/cleaner-cars-cradle-grave

@tagg8233

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson nobody is perfect. All we can do is to do our little bit. Of course nothing is energy-free but to say because an EV is not completely carbon or resource-free it's just a big scam is pretty ridiculous. It is better, maybe just a bit, but it is better. If we all made small changes it adds up to something big and meaningful

@phweakwilled

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus take away littles boy’s toys then little boy cry cry. Gus feels threatened by EVs and green technology

@garyallsopp6369

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson Damn; all those scientist & engineers have been wasting their time - If only they'd come to you! You are my hero!

So that was a mini-factory tour!

This is very much tailored to the Mini crowd. Wealthy people who use this as a secondary car for daily trips around the city. Y'all are mad that this car is not enough to cover all your needs because you can only afford to have one car but guess what? Mini doesn't give a flying fuck because in the next two years they will sell all E-Minis they can make.

Can they add a charging hubs near to wind turbines ?, it would make chargers easier to find wouldn’t it and there should be ample supple on site for a few rapids or even 7kw posts etc.👍

What is Regenerative 'Breaking'? is it when the car mends itself??

On the subject of 2nd Life Batteries, any chance you could a couple of episodes with that as the main topic? The 18650 re-use movement alone is a big a scene.

Robert, basically they have done the same has VW golf E, took the original ICE car modified to take batteries, this is for crash structure etc. The next model, which will also be the BMW 1 platform will be designed for Electricity ground up, not modified. The brand bit is important, the majority of people like brands, so it is important not to lose identities, that was an issue with the I3 and why it’s initial sales were slow. Also they have got 45,000 presales, so brand is important, not a bad start, for their first production car. Given battery density is increasing, with better software give them 12 months mileage will improve.

Robert at his best!

Sounds like a nice little car, just a matter of re-doing the skate-board and making a proper one with twice the range. Could they do a Saltire brake light do you think?

Still beyond me why the put the "S" bonnet with the fake air-intake on this model. The bonnet would look better with out this fake hood scoop and have lower aerodynamic drag.

@TheCormTube

4 жыл бұрын

Spec and performance wise it's comparable to the standard Cooper S I think that's why.

Wish manufacturers would have the charge port in the front. Yes I am getting very good at backing up in mine but it is more than possible to run cable and the plug in point near to the front end.

The Mini-E is undoubtedly adequate for 95% of driving and 100% for many, but... It's merely adequate. It doesn't shake any trees [or whatever the metaphor is]. And if that is the case, the price really ought to reflect the merely adequate nature of the car. But it comes at a premium price because it is a Mini. A car that started life as a cheeky cost cutting car.

@insightman

4 жыл бұрын

It's cheaper than the petrol-powered "S" and it certainly shakes the trees for those of us looking for a sporty, compact BEV. No other BEV in its price class can match the MINI Cooper SE's acceleration and cornering. It's in a niche all by itself.

@ramblerandy2397

4 жыл бұрын

@@insightman Granted that the basic version, including government grant, and priced at £24,400 makes it a reasonable EV, but... for £500 more you can have a much newer design, the Peugeot 208, also with fine handling and performance. And it goes a lot further per charge. Just giving some perspective there. I guess I'm slightly underwhelmed by the Mini E.

one important point: if they would sell a car with two or three battery options then the sales figures would show what battery option people want. three options with +/-20kWh around the midrange battery would show very good how good the manufacturer guessed the taste of the buyer. if the biggest and smallest battery sells with the same numbers then they would be spot on.

Is there a video about the mini factory tour?

I am considering the mini electric(36k US) or the tesla model 3 standard range plus(41k US). In your opinion which would you recommend?

Same as the VW Up! . Petrol version, then a small capacity battery. Now VW have been fitting larger batteries and getting longer range.

Pre-ordered mine

robert do you fancy a trip to the moathouse in earley,they have tesla boat chargers..

Love the episode, would just love more of them Robert, hope you are well, and back to good health. As a great presenter, I feel sure you will find another to complement you, a favourite E program !

Mini Cooper SE tells you the instantaneous regenerating rates on the bottom right corner of the screen if you change the display. I have both 2021 and 2022 Mini Cooper SE’s.

Hello Robert. Thank you for the great report. I totally agree with you. Mini is a great iconic car. But.... I currently have a Countryman Plugin Hybrid, before I drove a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. I have to say, unfortunately, that the PHEV is light years ahead of the Mini in terms of electric drive. Things like short range, or that the battery stops working from -5 degrees (related to my Countryman) in a company like BMW-Mini should not happen. greeting Jörn

@h.-j.schneckenburger785

4 жыл бұрын

@@martin barlow Hello Martin Please reread my comment word for word... It is not about the basic discussion about plug-in hybrid or purely electric. Still, about my experience, which Robert also had, BMW Mini has strong weaknesses in the details, which should not happen to such a "noble brand". I want to repeat, the Mitsubishi, although older, was technically better than my new Mini.

its a petrol powered mini with a i3 battery shoved in the gaps engine petrol tank was its fir coat and no knickers.

@colinharvey1049

4 жыл бұрын

Arightpest and not even the current gen i3 bits.

@ColinFox

4 жыл бұрын

I know I'm being "that guy", but "fir" is a tree, and "fur" comes from animals. If you have a fir coat, I don't think that's gonna be very comfortable :)

@insightman

4 жыл бұрын

Nope. Not the i3 Samsung battery. It's a new battery from CATL that can fit without losing the back seat or any trunk space (see MINI E).

My main gripe with the modern day mini, is that it doesn't look like you could pick one up and put it in your pocket. They're huge in comparison to the original mini. That said, the range is a big set back given the competition are managing to outclass it so much.

No offense to the channel and the work that goes into a video like this but this is still just a compliance car.

@carssucksince1800s

4 жыл бұрын

He mentions that in the video when he talks about battery size.

I am about to test drive a Mini-E, so when some of this snow gets melted away,.,..I think I'll arrange this. 120 mile / 193 kilometres is rater a 'let down' though.

Can a 'bolt on' battery pack to increase range tough to do ? It's a piece of cake on my smart phone

This Mini E falls into the same category possibly as the MG ZS EV in as much as it is based around a traditional ICE design principle, there are ICE equivalents, they both on the road achieve around 130 miles (I speak from experience of an MG ZS EV owner) and have traditional Brand following. However, the MG ZS model line-up was conceived as a multi-fuel line-up, unlike the Mini which had an existing form factor to squeeze the power train into, and therefore it was, and especially as an SUV, form-factor, it was relatively easy as with the Hyundai Kona and Kia eNiro. to put the battery pack as a slab under the floor something not possible with the Mini Cooper body. So well done Mini for getting enough kWhs into the limited space for the range they have and also keeping near parity on price with its ICE stablemate. Maybe this will increase as power densities double over the next few years, but they need to be mindful of sticker price inflation that would result.

Compromised from the ground up. Half arsed attempt from BMW

@johndrawing1176

4 жыл бұрын

This is a city car for short distances.....with an ice-mini u would also not drive more than 200 miles on a daily basis......next year BMW brings out the I4 which will not be a compromise.......

@garyallsopp6369

4 жыл бұрын

Better half arsed, than no arsed - This is an OK car which is stylish & well built; it will sell well and introduce a lot of people to EVs. Overall it's "Meh", but "Meh will do for most especially as a second car, which many Mini's are. We have a Smart EQ which does 80 miles at best. Like most EVs it's a compromise but we love it anyway.

@ededdynova

3 жыл бұрын

and yet the fully tested and ready to go 3 series ev is held up and up till all their diesel and petrol and hybrid models have to sold

One word for this from me........ Lacklustre

it says 90% SoC with 91 mi of range at the rapid charger, so 120-130mi on a full charge is probably only possible with primarily city driving.

@13thbiosphere

4 жыл бұрын

On average people do 50 miles a day or less so it makes the perfect second car....can always get a cheap gas guzzler for long Journeys

@xperyskop2475

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson same as oil refining that consumes even more cobalt than electric cars.

@Stewiedude1

4 жыл бұрын

@Gus Johnson because that isn't the same for oil and ice cars? Use your brain before making stupid remarks mate 👍

In the US the starting price is a little over 60% of the i3's starting price. It will do well as the only premium small EV at a low price here, but in Europe I imagine there is a lot more competition for that market segment.

@johndrawing1176

4 жыл бұрын

In Europe there is more competition but those cars are not premium.........

A lot of negative comments here about what I think is a very decent car. Yes it’s compromised by the fact the underlying chassis is identical to the ICE version, but if you get past that, it is a way for MINI to stay relevant now that electrification is becoming so mainstream. It’s pretty cool how the same production line can be interleaving several different drivetrains at the same time, that is real agility from a production perspective. Ok so range is not amazing, but there is still the argument that for many people that won’t matter, and you aren’t paying for and lugging around a load of extra battery weight that hardly ever gets used fully. I would definitely consider one of these as a second car, as I love MINIs (despite being VW/Audi for several years now). I would be amazed if, like VW with their e-Golf and ID3 evolution, that there isn’t something cooking away in R&D right now for a fully optimised electric vehicle.

Has anyone ever tried ripping out the rear seats, passenger seat and trim to see if the range improves much ?

What a great idea those charging batteries are would be nice have them at home to charge with solar panels etc

Thanks for a great vid_ I think it’s clever that they have integrated it into the existing manufacturing process and I assume that all the options available on a current mini will therefore be available to the electric version? As a Mini owner i like that it looks like a ‘regular’ car in this case a mini- I personally don’t understand why electric cars have to look ‘space futuristic’?

@Mr_Battlefield

4 жыл бұрын

The whole futuristic look is due to manufacturers think it's needing to have a special style when it doesn't. The negative thing about building an electric car using an old infrastructure state of mind is you don't take full advantage of the space in the vehicle. Therefore not enough space is used up for the battery pack to reduce weight and increase range and so forth. For this electric mini is going to be really good for just your daily trips to work and back and then that's all you would be doing is your local runarounds. In general it's a perfect car for normal use. But if you need to go along distances you might need to rent a vehicle or use a different vehicle of your own preferably electric vehicle if possible.

Nice work

Only available in a two door version right ? If it’s true then it’s a shame.

A video on Off Grid Energy would be great!