(via CNN)
Starting next year drivers in the Los Angeles and New York areas will be able to lease a fleet of 500 all-electric Coopers from BMW's Mini division. The Mini E, as it's called, will be able to travel 150 miles on a single charge with a top speed of 95 miles per hour. For this test fleet of vehicles, BMW will reimburse customers for the cost of charging. But at a monthly cost of $850, driving the Mini E will not be cheap. Besides the car and electricity, however, the monthly payment will cover all required technical service and maintenance. The cars will be leased on yearly contracts with an option for additional time. At the end of the lease, the cars will be returned to BMW.
Only customers with lockable garages or some other secure space in which to charge the car will be eligible to lease the Mini E. The car can be plugged into any standard wall outlet. But drivers will be able to charge the car in just 2.5 hours using a special wallbox that will be installed in customers' garages. The car will be officially unveiled to the public at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. BMW will accept lease applications after that. Leases will begin early next year.
BMW said it will select specific customers based on a variety of demographic and location requirements.
Sounds like the same kind of B.S. that GM did with the EV1 almost 10 years ago. Leases only, no option to buy. Only a certain select few eligible to lease.
ReplyDeleteConvince me that Big Oil hasn't had a say in this.
Thanks for posting the story