Mini powered by electrons

[BruceK]

Here's an article on an electric Mini available.  But a just little bit expensive.

https://www.carthrottle.com/post/this-classic-mini-packs-electric-power-and-underfloor-heating/

[MiniDave]

Swind E (L) eh?   ;D

[jeff10049]

$80k :-\  WTF?

swind el is right

[Jims5543]

This seemed like a good place to put this since it will bear the Austin Logo.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7592485/Father-eight-invents-electric-car-battery-drivers-1-500-miles-without-charging-it.html

https://www.metalectrique.com/

[MiniDave]

I know this stuff is coming, and I have no problem imagining a guy working at home and figuring it out, nor do I have a problem imagining that mfr's of current technology would not want to see something simple and less expensive come on the market and make them obsolete after investing SO much money to make their current product.

AND, I hope it does work just as I hope someone figures out fusion power - soon!

[jeff10049]

What is he claiming to have invented? Air aluminum batteries have been around about forever in use almost as long. Not all that common for cars but have been tested in cars since the 80's and the tech is getting better all the time.

Typical inventor threatened to be shut down by the man hype.
It sounds like he may have improved on the technology but I doubt that with companies with way deeper pockets having 20+ years development time on him. 
Metalectrique is not even in the top 5 companies developing the technology.
Many companies are miles ahead of his claims already we'll see what happens.

Don't get me wrong I like to see people working on this stuff but they seem like a start up behind the times but you never know they might make a breakthrough. Some amazing discoveries have been made in a small operation.

Manufactures of current technology are already invested in the aluminum-air battery tech.  Telsa is very invested in the aluminum-air battery. So the idea that current tech would want to keep this quite really it's not new? they were working on this stuff decades ago. And if a small company makes a breakthrough my guess is telsa, fugi, phinenergy, and the like will be lined up to buy the rights.

[Jims5543]

Seems his breakthrough is in the the electrolyte, and the fact he can use recycled aluminum and not need pure aluminum.

He is also not developing a 1500 miles car, he states the current Teslas with his batteries swapped in with the same capacity would net a 1500 mile range.

What I dig is the swappable cels, something I have been screaming for Formula E to develop instead of swapping cars mid race in the early seasons. 

Make it so you can change a cel out in 2 minutes and you will win the petro vs. electric war.  You only need 300-400 mile range if you can do that.

Many of these claims seem far fetched, I am hopefull I will see this a reality on my lifetime.

After owning this i3 for almost 2 years now, I am ready to jump to a full EV car, to be honest the Gas engine is more of a bother than the Electric one. I would like to eliminate that maintenance.

For the record, the i3 is about to turn 60K miles and we have had zero EV issues and one gas issue, the gas tank pressure sensor crapped the bed. If this was a full EV we would be trouble free.

60K miles, original brake pads and 2nd set of tires.  Car is maintenance free.  I love that in a commuter car.

[jeff10049]

Jim,
I am very ready for an EV I am awaiting the e mini it uses i3 platform without the engine so  I am glad to hear you have had zero EV problems.

Mini of portland tells me they are getting one for test drives in December and will be able to order cars at that time. I will be there the week they get it for a test drive. And if that goes well I will sign up to lease one.

Our gas minis have been perfect the 2013 is almost at 100k the 2004 at 220k but im tired of the normal maintenance and cost of it every friggen time I turn around something needs an oil change or plugs or transmission service or GAS.

I ended up buying a new truck I wanted the workhorse w15 bad but after so many delays I gave up maybe when I wear this one out.

I am not a skeptic of the technology at all I think it is fascinating. We will see some really cool shit in our lifetime.

I am a big skeptic of this guys claims his nontoxic super duper electrolyte is most likely water maybe with some additives. Worrying about the quality of the aluminum was overcome 15 years ago.
That and he has a multi-million dollar deal with a company with no factory, product, capitol, customers, or employees.

Other battery types where the plates are not consumed but the electrolyte just changed out are also being developed so you would basically pull up to the pump it would exchange your dead electrolyte for charged and then recharge yours for the next car also not a new idea but intriguing.
The nice part about that is they can still be charged at home if needed wanted.

It's hard to say what we'll end up with so much is going on right now it could change tomorrow. 
And then there are fuel cell 's also moving ahead.

Local Fleets that return to the depot every day also have the advantage of not needing a network of pumps, chargers, exchange stations, etc. So im looking forward to see what they try out.

[Jims5543]

Funny, I have been looking longingly at the Workhorse too. They are taking too damn long to roll any out, I want to see and hear some real world experiences with them before I commit to one.

Since my one crew is 100% residential work, I am toying with getting them a Prius V as a "work truck" because there isn't really anything else viable. Since I cannot go EV Ican at least go hybrid and get 40+ MPG. Which will beat the 20 MPG the current truck gets.

If Tesla or someone would release a decent and affordable E-Truck I would be all over it.  I suspect a lot of trade contractors would too.  We all do not need 70,000 lbs of towing capacity, many of us never tow.  I just need a bed to put tools in.

[jeff10049]

Looks like the w15 is delayed again. I hope they don't give up I'm all for owning a pure electric car but for my truck needs, the pickup with range extender would be sweet.  Maybe by the time I wear out this gas pickup they'll have something on the market.
If they delay the e mini again I'm going to just give up on it and buy a tesla.

It's no surprise tesla is a million light-years ahead of the pack they have cars that look ok and have good range and most importantly you can actually buy one. There are several for sale local I can't even look at an audi or jag or mini at the dealers they don't have em.

Every year for 3 years the mini dealer has said that they would have an e mini even if just a prototype for test drives hopefully this year ::) they were supposed to be delivering cars this time last year.

[MiniDave]

The E MINI is supposed to be on sale the first of March, hang in there for a few more months! Base MSRP is $29,900 plus $850 destination charge.

Maybe you'll have to go to one of the bigger dealers who get a bigger allocation to snag one?

[jeff10049]

Thats what they say but I have heard that for 3 years I think this time might happen. The range sucks I hope that is a base model and that I can pay more for extra range maybe they'll have an S. I could live with the range but it's not great. To work and back with some running around in the day is about all it'll do.

I'm sure longer range will come out but I heard something about making the next e mini smaller if thats the case I don't want it the first-gen size would be ok but smaller than that and I'm out. Don't get me wrong I don't wat to see new minis get too big but they have a nice lineup/size of cars right now and they are still small compared to most cars. 

[MiniDave]

Was it 10 years ago now they had the "test fleet" that they leased out for like $800/mo? Those only had just over 100 mile range - strange that the new and improved one still has about the same range. Is that enough for you to get it home from the dealer?

Good grief, just looked up Bend to Portland - shortest route is 165 miles! You need a Model 3......

[jeff10049]

to get it home I'll have to stop at the government camp charging station.  I would like an e car that I could take to portland with ease the only one is tesla. I like tesla but I'm not really digging the looks of the model 3 and don't want to spend the $$$ for an s.
So I want to check out the mini  I can just take a gasser to portland when I need to go. I'm still hoping there will be a long-range version.
The range is so low that even if you live in the city you'd still need another car for long    trips it just can't make it between stations even a gas car would struggle with that range to get between gas stations but at least you could carry extra gas.

[Jims5543]

The i3 would make that drive if you are OK with stopping every 100 miles for gas.

It will go 210 miles on gas + battery.  It does not like the highway and prefers to be on back roads going 50 MPH or less stop and go a plus.

With my Euro hack I can turn on the gas motor at 75% battery then run on gas whis will get me 110 miles if I behave and eat about 20% more battery in that 110 miles.

My perfect Work truck would be a Hybrid EV with a gas motor and about 200 - 300 miles battery range and another 100-200 gas range. Set up like an i3 or 1st gen Volt.

Sign me up.

I am VERY close to buying a Prius V for my mortgage crew to use so they stop buying so much gas.  I would prefer the 40+ MPG over the 20 they are getting. Plus the Taco they are driving sucks. I was hoping it would die by now and it will..... not.... die.....