Everything You Need to Know About Mini Electric Cars
Mini’s only all-electric car is the Mini Electric Hardtop—and it’s an affordable and agile EV that’s a blast to drive.
As of 2022,
Mini
offers only one electric car: the agile Mini Electric Hardtop. With 181 horsepower and an ultra-athletic frame, the Mini Electric Hardtop is an affordable compact car that’s a joy to drive.Around the world, Mini has grown famous for its versatile vehicles, equally adept at navigating tight spaces and speeding down the open road. When Mini introduced the Electric Hardtop (also known as the Mini Cooper Electric), it brought its “driving should be a blast” mentality to the EV market—and with a price tag that’s perfect for cost-conscious buyers!
If you’re hoping to learn more about Mini’s electric lineup, you’ve come to the right place.
Jerry
, our comparison shopping super app
, will cover all the bases: how the Mini Electric Hardtop stacks up against its competitors, what plans Mini has in the electric market, and how you can save serious cash when insuring your Mini
. Does Mini have electric cars?
Yes! Mini has one electric car that’s currently in production: the Mini Electric Hardtop. If you’re a Mini enthusiast, though, we’ve got good news for you—Mini has big plans in the electric sector! Come 2024, Mini will disrupt the EV market with a brand-new battery-powered Mini Cooper (more on that later).
For now, let’s take a closer look at the Electric Hardtop.
2022 Mini Electric Hardtop
Starting price: $30,750
Powertrain: 135-kW electric motor (181 hp and 199 ft-lb of torque)
Driving range: 110 miles
Charging time: 4 hours at 220 volts
Pair Mini’s signature hardtop style with a fantastic electric powertrain, and you’ve got the nimble 2022 Mini Electric Hardtop.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, the Mini Hardtop is an absolute rockstar, averaging 108 MPGe. Plus, if you’re looking to save money, the Electric Hardtop packs a one-two punch: you’ll pay less upfront because of the Mini’s low MSRP and you’ll pay less in the long run each time you charge your Mini.
Sure, the Mini is surprisingly affordable, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring to drive. On the contrary, the Mini’s 181-horsepower motor can propel the lightweight car from 0-60 in just 6 seconds—that’s faster than the
Nissan Leaf
and the Chevrolet Bolt
! Though the Mini Electric Hardtop received a less-than-perfect four-star
NHTSA safety rating
, it has an excellent array of safety features:- Forward-collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers and headlights
- Automated emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Self-park assist
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How does Mini’s electric car compare to competitors?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of the Mini Electric Hardtop, it’s time to pose the crucial question: how does it compare to other electric vehicles?
Naturally, part of it comes down to your preferences. If you crave a lightning-fast 0-60 time, the
Tesla Model S
is the car for you. If you want a more affordable option that still has stellar power and range, you should look into the Volkswagen ID.4
. But if you need a versatile, low-cost car that epitomizes British engineering, Mini might be exactly what you’re looking for.Let’s take a closer look at how the Electric Hardtop matches up against its peers in three important categories: range and charging time, performance, and cost of ownership.
Driving range and charging time
Two key aspects of an electric car’s success are range and charging time. Range determines how far your EV can go on a single charge and charging time tells you how convenient owning your car will be on a week-to-week basis.
The Mini Electric Hardtop has a small battery, which means that its range is well below average, but you can zap it up to full power super quickly. At the end of the day, it’s not a good car for cross-country road trips, but it’s perfect for anyone who lives and commutes in a crowded city.
Here’s how the Electric Hardtop performs in comparison to other popular electric cars:
Model | Driving range | Charging time at 220v | Charging time w DC fast charger |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Mini Electric Hardtop | 110 miles | 4 hrs | 0-80% in 35 min |
2022 Nissan Leaf | 149 miles | 10 hrs | 0-80% in 40 min |
2022 Chevrolet Bolt | 259 miles | 7.5 hrs | 0-80% in 1 hr |
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | 280 miles | 7.5 hrs | 0-80% in 38 min |
2022 Tesla Model Y | 303-330 miles | 10 hrs | 10-80% in 22 min |
2022 Tesla Model X | 335-351 miles | 6.5-10 hrs | 10-80% in under 30 min |
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 247-317 miles | 11.4 hrs | 10-80% in 45 min |
2022 Kia Niro EV | 239 miles | 9 hrs | 10-80% in 1 hr |
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 220-303 miles | 6 hrs | 10-80% in 18 min |
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric | 258 miles | 10 hrs | 10-80% in 75 min |
2022 BMW iX | 324 miles | 10.3 hrs | 10-80% in 35 min |
Performance
Okay, the Electric Hardtop isn’t going to outlast many EVs—but how’s its performance?
In recent years, J.D. Power has placed the Mini Cooper as a top-five car in terms of dependability. Though the Electric Hardtop isn’t quite as reliable as the gas-powered Mini, it’s still a compact car you can count on.
In the speed department, the Mini Electric lands in the middle of the pack—not bad, considering that it’s one of the cheapest EVs available! Here’s how it all breaks down:
Model | Maximum horsepower | Maximum torque | 0 to 60 time |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Mini Electric Hardtop | 181 hp | 199 lb-ft | 6.0 seconds |
2022 Nissan Leaf | 214 hp | 250 lb-ft | 7.4 seconds |
2022 Chevrolet Bolt | 200 hp | 266 lb-ft | 6.5 seconds |
2022 Volkswagen ID.4 | 295 hp | 339 lb-ft | 5.4 seconds |
2022 Kia Niro EV | 201 hp | 291 lb-ft | 6.2 seconds |
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 320 hp | 446 lb-ft | 4.5 seconds |
2022 Hyundai Kona Electric | 201 hp | 290 lb-ft | 6.4 seconds |
2022 Tesla Model Y | est. 480 hp | 375 lb-ft | 3.6 seconds |
2022 Tesla Model X | up to 1,020 hp | 713 lb-ft | 3.3 seconds |
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 480 hp | 634 lb-ft | 5.1 seconds |
2022 BMW iX | 516 hp | 564 lb-ft | 4.0 seconds |
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Cost of ownership
If we had to pick one area where the Mini Electric outshines all the other EVs, it would be in cost of ownership.
At just over $30,000, the Mini Electric Hardtop is already one of the cheapest EVs on the streets—and that’s not including a $7,500 federal
electric car incentive
! The only electric car with a lower starting price than the Mini is the Nissan Leaf, which isn’t nearly as zippy as the Mini.Here’s a ballpark estimate for what you can expect to pay over the course of five years:
- Insurance: $6,500
- Maintenance: $3441
- Repairs: $857
- Taxes and fees: $2,817
- Financing: $2,603
- Depreciation: $15,042
- Fuel: $5,310
- Tax credit: -$7,500 (and possibly more!)
At the end of the day, you’re looking at a five-year cost of about $30,070 on your Mini Electric Hardtop. This is what the MSRP of the Hardtop Electric looks like compared to other affordable EVs:
- Nissan Leaf—$28,425
- Mini Electric Hardtop—$30,750
- Chevy Bolt—$32,495
- Hyundai Kona Electric—$35,245
How to decide if going electric is right for you
If you’re thinking about ditching your old-school gas guzzler for an
affordable electric car
, you’re not alone! Going electric has plenty of bonuses, but it isn’t for everyone. Before you buy your first EV, ask yourself these key questions:- Do you live by a charging station? Even if you install a home charging station, it’s always helpful to have a few go-to charging spots nearby.
- How far do you drive each day? With a 110-mile range, the Mini Electric is perfect for a short city commute. As long as your daily drive doesn’t take you down the highway to another town, you should be good to go.
- Are you a big road tripper? This one is super important, especially for the Mini.Range anxietyis very real—so, if you don’t want to be praying for a charging station in ruralMontana, you might be better off with theTesla Model 3Long Range.
- Do you have a garage? The best way to charge your EV is with a home charging station, so it’s a big bonus if you aren’t parking on the street every night.
- Do you need a high tow rating? Most Mini Coopers top out at around 2,000 pounds of tow strength. If you’re dead-set on an electric vehicle but you need some serious power, we’d suggest theFord F-150 Lightningor the Tesla Cybertruck.
When all’s said and done, there are pros and cons to owning an electric car. On the plus side, Mini’s Electric Hardtop comes with a $7,500 tax credit, responsive handling, and outstanding fuel efficiency. On the other hand, EVs are usually more expensive (including pricey insurance!) and can cause logistical problems when you need to plan your drivers around charging stations.
Want to get a taste of the electric universe without going all-in? Try out the hybrid
Mini SE Countryman
, which cranks out 221 horsepower and boasts a sturdy 300-mile range. Mini’s electric future
Mini aficionados, hold on to your seats—because the Mini Cooper Electric is arriving in 2024! Though its release date isn’t yet official, Mini has revealed plenty of information about the ambitious new car project. They’ve even released footage of the
Mini Cooper Electric being tested
in the sub-zero temperatures of the Arctic Circle!Here are some highlights of the 2024 model:
- An estimated range of 185 to 250 miles
- An estimated horsepower of between 181 and 221
- A light body with a low center of gravity for maximum speed and agility
- An ultra-affordable price tag (similar to the Mini Electric Hardtop)
- A new traction control system to improve handling
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Stay on the lookout for new information about the 2024 Mini Cooper Electric—we’re sure the Mini will make a huge splash in the EV world.
Plan for the future with affordable Mini car insurance
What’s the holy trinity for saving money on car expenses?
- First, buy from an affordable car brand like Mini.
- Second, cut down on fuel expenses by driving an electric vehicle.
- Third, shop for car insurance using Jerry’s super app!
What’s
Jerry
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