BMW’s MINI E Scheduled to Debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show

The Los Angeles Auto Show in November will feature a number of hybrid and all-electric cars at early levels of development. BMW’s MINI E two-seater is ready for testing by a small number of customers as it gets ready for its debut in Los Angeles. The MINI E will be distributed to 500 corporate clients after assembly in BMW’s Munich and Oxford plants at the end of 2008. The time line for the pilot program starts in early 2009 with a lease program giving drivers the option to keep their vehicles for years.

The MINI E looks great on paper in terms of speed, range and battery capacity. BMW has limited the MINI E’s maximum speed at 95 miles per hour to extend battery range. The MINI E has a 35 kWh lithium ion battery that can last up to 150 miles on a full charge. This coupe also has a regenerative braking system that can extend battery range up to 20% in heavy city traffic. BMW’s all-electric vehicle will be able to recharge within three hours using standard household outlets.

BMW’s distribution plans for the MINI E will begin with year-long leases to select customers in the United States. While BMW is looking at European markets for future roll outs, the automaker has established service centers in the Northeast and California to handle the MINI E. The MINI E lease will feature a renewal clause for each driver to keep the cars rolling in high-traffic areas. The lease will cover regular maintenance every 3,000 miles as well as problems unique to the MINI E that fall outside of the purview of traditional mechanics. BMW plans on studying every MINI E returned after lease completion to determine if current components can withstand the challenges of regular driving.

The German automaker’s effort to take the lead in all-electric vehicles is farther along than most of its competitors. The MINI E’s pilot program in the United States will show skeptics that all-electric vehicles can blend classic brands like BMW with emission-free driving. BMW’s use of a large pilot group with access to experienced mechanics should produce good results once leases are completed. While automakers crave immediacy in terms of new initiatives, BMW may be patient when it comes to the MINI E. If all 500 drivers want to renew their leases and continue driving all-electrics, BMW can point to demand for pilot vehicles to justify mass production.