Filed under: EV/Plug-in, BMW, MINI, LA Auto Show
MINI EV won't come with lithium ion batteries?
We won't have any official details on what will be powering the electric MINIs that we know will be prowling the streets next year until the vehicle is unveiled at the LA Auto Show later this year. That doesn't mean that we can't all speculate until then, right? We've seen spy shots of test vehicles (minus tail-pipes) on the road and we've seen some engine-less MINI carcasses coming out of the Oxford plant in England. While we can't pinpoint what type of battery or electric motor(s?) the car will come with, we may be able to rule a few things out. For instance, an inside source has reportedly told EVO that the Bavarian parents of the MINI brand have been testing both lithium ion batteries and hub-mounted electric motors with unsatisfactory results. So, it won't look like this. Will the cars get a nickel metal hydride battery or a Zebra battery like the current electric smart? Not sure. Any thoughts?
[Source: EVO]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Woodenbee 2:40PM (9/24/2008)
THats an awesome idea, wow and out next year, jeez it takes Bob Klutz how long ? at chevy to get that volt thing going, and now we find out they've got that bill tailored to fit for $7500 tax breaks per volt, and today $25 billion to do what they were paid in the 90's to do and come up with a diesel hybrid that they killed just as BUsh took office? well anyway its all starting to make sense, delay, delay, delay, wait till the country is on its knees and then whine for bailouts and tax credits to sell your cars, it all makes sense! and Chrysler that doesnt even make their own cars wants in on that action too, and is lobbying their Republican lap dogs to amend the bailout bill, whew if your a sad little McCain fan whose all confused right now, don't be just vote for Obama and you might get to keep your house!
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meme 3:21PM (9/24/2008)
"Any thoughts?"
Yeah, here's one: it's going to have poor performance.
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gorr 3:47PM (9/24/2008)
With the drop in performance and range, i expect this electric conversion should sell for 5000$ less. Or maybe a small gasoline battery recharger fitted to this car can boost performance and range for a little cost, especially in canadian winter.
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Andy 8:58PM (9/24/2008)
I'm sensing problems on the hub motor front. I've yet to see a hub motor performing under real combat conditions.
All I've seen is some home movie of a lightning car crawling around.
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Chris M 4:35AM (9/26/2008)
Hub motors cost more, and the extra unsprung weight adversely affects handling. So it's back to a more conventional single motor and differential arrangement.
Zebra batteries have good energy density, but power is too low to give satisfactory performance in a Mini, and the need to keep them hot is a drawback. NiMH has adequate power, but the energy density is still less than LiIon, and the cost of some types of LiIon is now less per Kwh stored than NiMH! BMW may have found some types of LiIon unsatisfactory, but there are several different types available, some should be up to the job.
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BioD 10:26PM (10/13/2008)
Why wait, you can buy one now from Hybrid Technologies $57,500 120 mile range, 2 seater, awesome car.
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