Hybrid Technologies working on Mini Cooper EV
Click the photo for a high-res gallery of the new Mini Cooper D
Would you pay almost 60 grand for a Mini Cooper? What if it was propelled by by batteries alone? Hybrid Technologies is working on a battery powered Mini Cooper that they expect to have on sale in 2008. HT's sales director Frank Ziegler told Wired they're not interested in doing plug-in hybrids because they don't want to be dependent on gasoline, which makes one wonder why they call the company Hybrid Technologies.
The Mini will join the existing lineup of EV converted cars including a battery Smart ForTwo, and the PT Cruiser that they sell for taxi use in New York City. HT is using Japanese made lithium polymer batteries (iPods also use lithium polymer batteries) from Kokam. The electric Mini is expected to save the owner $1,250 a year in gasoline, which means they would only have to drive for 32 years to make up the price premium over a standard Mini. Personally, I'll take the new 53.5mpg Mini Cooper D.
Gallery: 2007 Mini Cooper D
[Source: Wired Blog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ron mccurdy 5:49PM (3/22/2008)
Too bad about the price. Of course they want all he money they can get. How about companies that are serious about batteries to be used in cars..Electrovaya.
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Michelle 7:00PM (9/07/2008)
If they keep the prices so high, it will be much longer before people are willing to convert from their gas guzzlers. Then what is the point of an environmentally friendly vehicle if it is only for the well off?
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Craig 5:58PM (4/23/2007)
boring...wake me up when there is an EV that I (and everyone else) can actually afford.
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1985 Gripen 6:18PM (4/23/2007)
This is "news"? The same company (Hybrid Technologies) already made one and delivered it to the British Embassy in Mexico City a few years ago now I think:
http://hybridtechnologies.com/products.php?sec=1&id=8
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Joseph 8:12PM (4/23/2007)
ProEV uses Kokam batteries too.
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kert 2:14AM (4/24/2007)
the same company (Hybrid Technologies) already made one
Made one press release, that is. Anyone in Mexico City wanna go and look that car up ? ;)
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Chris M 2:14AM (4/24/2007)
Minor correction - Kokam is a Korean company.
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Murphy 8:44PM (12/06/2007)
The number of years it will take to recoup the price you paid for a hybrid or a EV, is not a valid concern. If you're a serious car buyer, and your target price falls somewhere in the $25,000 to $30,000, your options will certainly cover both standard cars and hybrids as well. If you're in the 60 grand car market, EV is certainly a choice.
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Tom Wilson 10:55AM (12/09/2007)
Somebody get serious on price! How about a 4-5 year payback?
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