All Electric Mini-Cooper and more

ibmindless · 12-18-2007, 10:57 PM

At this website http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/ they are converting Mini Coopers to all electric (only $65K!). Zero to 60 in 6 seconds, 120 mile range. They're converting other cars, too.

a priori · 12-19-2007, 12:22 AM

With a "cycle life" of 1500+ "full charges" (as stated on the website) for the battery, what is the expected months/miles life for the battery?

ibmindless · 12-19-2007, 01:43 AM

Sounds like 3 years, basically. Here's a video of it (at 1:40 of the video):

http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/mu...ic_mini_cooper

barbaram · 12-19-2007, 02:05 AM

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...topart=hybrids

who would buy it at that price?????

patsparks · 12-19-2007, 02:55 AM

If you drive the car 5 days a week over a distance that requires the battery to be fully charged you will get about 6 years out of a battery pack, however I suspect that if you don't cycle the battery through a full charge (in the way the Prius battery is managed) the battery would last longer than that. I would also think that if you drove 5 to 10 miles on a weekend to run to the shops most drivers wouldn't need to recharge it that day to do their commute the next day. Even if you did it wouldn't knock the battery around much because it's only partially cycled.

An electric car isn't for everyone and it isn't for every journey, unfortunately only about 80% of people would find a vehicle with 100 miles range adequate for their commuting needs and some of the 80% would likely need another vehicle for longer journeys they make a few times a year. Well I have 3 cars, but if I only had 2 and one was electric with a 100 mile range I'd be able to use the petrol one (or the Prius) for longer journeys. My wife and I would better than half our total petrol consumption.

When the bank account is healthy enough I can see it getting sick buying me an electric car.

Average person drives about 12,000 miles a year, that is 46 miles per day. 5 days a week so with 100 miles range the battery would only use half a charge normally each day.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 12-19-2007, 09:30 AM

Pat's nailed it.
Nearly 100% of my driving is commuting to/from work (~50 round trip). My wife has a conventional car that would work for the long hauls to see family and the like.

However, if you gave me $65,000 and told me that I absolutely had to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle, I would either buy two Prii or one Lexus GSh. Both vehicles would negate the need to plug it in or worry about long trips.

.

Hmm. Electric Mini or hybrid Lexus? Tough call.

apriusfan · 12-19-2007, 02:47 PM

Wonder if the price drops if you already have a MINI? Based on a quick scan of the website, it looks like they buy a new MINI and then rip out the gasoline drivetrain components and replace with their electric drivetrain. If you don't have to drop $25,000+ (depending on options) for the MINI (there is a fairly robust pre-owned market), the price might be more compelling. There are some MINI's with failed CVTs out there that could be had for a quite reasonable price (~$6,000). Drop the $65,000 number to say, $45,000 and it gets interesting. Wonder if there is any backseat space after the battery pack goes in? Probably not.

12-18-2007, 10:57 PM	#1
ibmindless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 146 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 0	All Electric Mini-Cooper and more At this website http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/ they are converting Mini Coopers to all electric (only $65K!). Zero to 60 in 6 seconds, 120 mile range. They're converting other cars, too.

12-19-2007, 12:22 AM	#2
a priori Canonus Curiosus Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicagoland (West) Posts: 2,663 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 150 Thanked 297 Times in 181 Posts Friends: 18	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more With a "cycle life" of 1500+ "full charges" (as stated on the website) for the battery, what is the expected months/miles life for the battery?

12-19-2007, 01:43 AM	#3
ibmindless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 146 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 10 Posts Friends: 0	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more Sounds like 3 years, basically. Here's a video of it (at 1:40 of the video): http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/mu...ic_mini_cooper

12-19-2007, 02:05 AM	#4
barbaram Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Trenton, NJ Posts: 819 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 25 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...topart=hybrids who would buy it at that price?????

12-19-2007, 02:55 AM	#5
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,229 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 124 Thanked 181 Times in 139 Posts Friends: 33	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more If you drive the car 5 days a week over a distance that requires the battery to be fully charged you will get about 6 years out of a battery pack, however I suspect that if you don't cycle the battery through a full charge (in the way the Prius battery is managed) the battery would last longer than that. I would also think that if you drove 5 to 10 miles on a weekend to run to the shops most drivers wouldn't need to recharge it that day to do their commute the next day. Even if you did it wouldn't knock the battery around much because it's only partially cycled. An electric car isn't for everyone and it isn't for every journey, unfortunately only about 80% of people would find a vehicle with 100 miles range adequate for their commuting needs and some of the 80% would likely need another vehicle for longer journeys they make a few times a year. Well I have 3 cars, but if I only had 2 and one was electric with a 100 mile range I'd be able to use the petrol one (or the Prius) for longer journeys. My wife and I would better than half our total petrol consumption. When the bank account is healthy enough I can see it getting sick buying me an electric car. Average person drives about 12,000 miles a year, that is 46 miles per day. 5 days a week so with 100 miles range the battery would only use half a charge normally each day. __________________ All the warranty I need. Still averaging 4.4L/100km across town 2004 silver base model Prius Shark fin, genuine mudflaps, colour matched side mouldings, rear bumper scuff guard, sheepskin seats, BT Plate. I love it!

12-19-2007, 09:30 AM	#6
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more Pat's nailed it. Nearly 100% of my driving is commuting to/from work (~50 round trip). My wife has a conventional car that would work for the long hauls to see family and the like. However, if you gave me $65,000 and told me that I absolutely had to buy an electric or hybrid vehicle, I would either buy two Prii or one Lexus GSh. Both vehicles would negate the need to plug it in or worry about long trips. . Hmm. Electric Mini or hybrid Lexus? Tough call.

12-19-2007, 02:47 PM	#7
apriusfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: S.F. Bay Area Posts: 4,513 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 38 Thanked 99 Times in 77 Posts Friends: 3	Re: All Electric Mini-Cooper and more Wonder if the price drops if you already have a MINI? Based on a quick scan of the website, it looks like they buy a new MINI and then rip out the gasoline drivetrain components and replace with their electric drivetrain. If you don't have to drop $25,000+ (depending on options) for the MINI (there is a fairly robust pre-owned market), the price might be more compelling. There are some MINI's with failed CVTs out there that could be had for a quite reasonable price (~$6,000). Drop the $65,000 number to say, $45,000 and it gets interesting. Wonder if there is any backseat space after the battery pack goes in? Probably not.