Hybrid Technologies is officially selling electric Mini-Coopers! So, yes, you now can be on the road in a lithium-ion battery-powered automobile! Unfortunately, being the first generation, and a conversion car, it's not going to be the best EV experience ever.

The car gets 100+ miles on a charge, has a top speed of 80 mph, takes 7-12 hours to charge and will live for roughly 1,500 charges. And, for all that, it'll cost you at least $65,000.

So, yeah, this baby isn't designed to usurp the internal combustion engine, but it is a lesson in what can be done. A year ago, when we first wrote about Hybrid Technologies' plan, the car would go 50% further, charge in half the time and cost $5,000 less. We'll have to wait and see if the upscale audience is really this interested in an EV. And if the major manufacturers can do better...for less.

Comments (11)

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not too shabby
written by bob , December 10, 2007

That's just a bit over 4 years of battery life if you charge it daily.
That's almost 6 years of battery life if you only have to charge it 5 days a week.
It would be interesting to see what a replacement battery pack costs.

I want one!
written by Liz , December 10, 2007

The Mini has always been my dream car ...but it actually doesn't do that great on gas mileage. So now an electric version sounds perfect...that $65K price tag is a bit tough, though. A girl can dream....

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written by darius , December 10, 2007

Well its a 100 mile range, most people will charge it maybe 2 times a week for daily work commute. If you drive more then perhaps this is not a car for you. "almost 6 years of battery life" given the average driving distance of the average American driver thats not the case. Also remember the battery does not go dead after 1500 charges.

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written by Steve , December 11, 2007

Well, it is cheaper than a Tesla roadster and unlike a Tesla, it is here and now.

At the end of the month I will have 20K in cash saved up to replace my aging 91 civic.

65K is a bit steep. If I had 65K for a car, as green as I am, I would probably use the money for a clean diesel ( or regular diesel, possibly set up to run on vegetable oil ) mercedes or BMW

Other electric cars
written by Craig , December 17, 2007

Not that I can afford these cars but I found another company that does the same with exotic cars.

not bad
written by Harry , May 31, 2008

Using your numbers, and if my math is right --- if I could get this car and use it for commuting to work only, it would last 83 years!!!

I commute 5 miles everyday (that includes to and from work). After 20 trips, I would have to charge it up. If I charged once every twenty days, I would only have to charge it roughly 18 times a year. 1500 charges divided into 18 per year is 83 years!

So if I figure in other driving, I could still probably get 50 years out of it! How about that!?!? Never would have to by a car again....to me $65000 isn't bad after all....

imagination run amok
written by Joshua , June 04, 2008

And Harry, just think of the money you'd save on gas! Even for a 10 - 15 year car, and then maybe replacing the battery...

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written by Tom , June 10, 2008

not bad
written by Harry , May 31, 2008
Using your numbers, and if my math is right --- if I could get this car and use it for commuting to work only, it would last 83 years!!!

I commute 5 miles everyday (that includes to and from work). After 20 trips, I would have to charge it up. If I charged once every twenty days, I would only have to charge it roughly 18 times a year. 1500 charges divided into 18 per year is 83 years!

So if I figure in other driving, I could still probably get 50 years out of it! How about that!?!? Never would have to by a car again....to me $65000 isn't bad after all....

Just ride a bike to work and save $65,000

practicality
written by billy bob , June 17, 2008

making a normal car an electric car is flawed logic.

THey are just too heavy.

Electrical efficiency comes with weight saving, and the saving is exponential.
this is one of the reasons most electric cars are hideous. they are plastic bubbles.

if they can get the design right, using second hand plastics, then the public would be more interested in buying.

lighter cars do not just improve engine efficiency. lighter cars require less braking force = smaller / lighter brakes etc etc etc

the problem will be sharing the roads with daft behemoths. UK fuel prices will put a stop to that soon though!

Car of the Future...Now!
written by hoang tran , July 10, 2008

billy bob is right. making a regular car into an electric car is silly. take a look at this car at www.aptera.com

Real costs
written by Brian , July 20, 2008

I'd like to know a bit more about what owning this type of car would really cost. For instance how much electricity does it required to recharge it and who can perform the maintenance?

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