The all-electric Mini Cooper SE can now be reserved in a total of twelve European countries; These are Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Weiterlesen
Oliver Zipse will take the lead at BMW on 16 August, the board just decided as much. With Harald Krüger leaving, the German carmaker will have much to do to catch up on electric mobility, fast.
Weiterlesen
With the Mini Cooper SE or the Mini Electric in the UK, the British-Bavarian small car brand presented its first production electric car just a few days ago. Now, according to a BMW board member, Mini might in future only make electric cars.
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With the Rocketman, Mini had already introduced the concept of a tiny city car priced below the well-known Mini in 2011. Now BMW really wants to build the xs Mini in China – as a battery-electric car.
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The BMW subsidiary Mini has finally introduced the long announced Cooper SE. The electric Mini uses the technology of the BMW i3 and repacks it in the familiar mini design.
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BMW wants to achieve its electrification target two years earlier than initially planned – and is thus confirming corresponding reports. Besides, the Munich company is showing what the electric future should look like with two new concept vehicles.
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BMW plans to offer 25 electrified models by 2023 – two years earlier than previously announced. Group CEO Harald Krüger also announced an ambitious growth target for electrified models.
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On the 1 April just past, the reins of the BMW Mini brand were handed over to Bernd Körber (44), who was previously responsible for strategy and management at BMW. Körber succeeds Sebastian Mackens at Mini and will lead the brand “towards an electric, dynamic and urban future”.
Weiterlesen
BMW says it will still start production of the electric Mini model in the UK later this year as planned despite the insecurity surrounding Brexit. The German carmaking giant had made plans way ahead, and production chief Oliver Zipse seemed unfazed even with the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.
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In July 2018, BMW and Great Wall Motor signed an agreement for the production of Mini electric vehicles in China. There are now details, including the plans to build a factory in the Chinese province of Jiangsu where the first electric Minis will roll off the assembly line from 2021.
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The British company Swindon Powertrain is currently presenting a retrofitted electric version of the original Mini in London and will manufacture this in a small series. The Swind E Classic Mini is fully restored and fitted with a custom electric powertrain.
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Having delivered 142,617 electrified vehicles last year, the BMW Group that includes Mini has reached their 2018 target of selling 140,000 electric cars and PHEVs. And, their eyes are set on further growth.
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BMW has begun preparing their manufacturing facilities for increased EV production, including electric drive systems and batteries. The upgrades and adjustments for the battery assembly for the Mini EV alone will cost a two digit figure in the millions.
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The Swedish company Stark Drive is offering a foldable pedelec called the Mini for only 299 dollars. A 250W axle motor on the rear wheel and a 252 Wh battery integrated into the frame allow for a 40km range.
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BMW and its partner in China, Brilliance, agreed to expand their BMW Brilliance Automotive (BBA) joint venture. BBA aims to increase capacity at both local facilities in order to produce 520,000 BMW a year from 2019. Moreover, the BMW iX3 may hit markets outside the People’s Republic.
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BMW has published their global sales data for the first 5 months of 2018 and shares of electric and hybrid cars are on the rise and grew by 41% worldwide. In countries like Norway and Malaysia, electrified cars even make for almost 50 percent of all sales.
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BMW is considering to launch the BMW i1 as new entry-level electric car, a report by Spanish Motor.es suggests. The i1 would be a little bigger than the i3 but smaller than the BMW 1 series, while technology is to come from the electric Mini due by 2019.
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BMW and the Chinese car manufacturer Great Wall are planning a joint venture to build electric cars under the Mini brand in China. Great Wall had already indicated as much last October, but now a statement of intent has been signed as well.
Weiterlesen
The confirmation has come that the new Mini Cooper EV is going into production, however not until November of next year at BMW’s Oxford plant. Hence, delivery will not be taking place until at least 2020.
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The BMW Group delivered over 100,000 electric and plug-in vehicles in 2017 and is thus targeting 140,000 electrified vehicles this year. In some markets sales of PEVs accounted for 10 – 25 percent of all BMW sales. PEV deliveries in January increased by over a third.
Weiterlesen
The BMW i3s traction control system is getting a standard system in all upcoming BMW and Mini cars. According to the carmaker, the system significantly increases traction and driving stability.
Weiterlesen
BMW may make Mini an all-electric brand in the States. The company is also talking to other carmakers to lower cost of electrifying the compact cars together.
WeiterlesenFirst production EV by Mini: BMW’s small car subsidiary reveals the design of its premier production electric car, which is to debut at the IAA. The Mini Electric Concept does in fact look just like a conventional Mini, apart from some small details. While the brand has not specified any technology, it is likely that the BMW i3 system will also power the electric Mini, so output would be at 130 kW with a 94 Ah battery that lasts for about 300 kilometres.
carscoops.com, autocar.co.uk, bmwgroup.com
Honda’s EV concept for the IAA: It will be the first electric Honda to hit the European shores once ready but for now, the carmaker has prepared a concept for the Frankfurt show. The Honda Urban EV Concept also provides the backdrop for more information on Honda’s eMobility strategy for Europe. Also on display will be a prototype CR-V Hybrid.
carscoops.com, greencarcongress.com, electriccarsreport.com
E-Mehari special edition: Citroen want to make an “entrée” at the IAA and asked fashion designer Courrèges to dress up its electric crossover as a special edition. Black is the colour of this EV season it appears, together with a strict hard top and some hidden features. 61 such electric Mehari will be made.
motor1.com, carscoops.com
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BYD to enter Nigeria: Electric cars are to arrive by 2018 in Nigeria, as imports first. However, BYD sees potential in Africa’s most populous state and wants to establish EV assembly there together with local firm Enigus Enfinity from 2020.
naij.com, dailytrust.com.ng
Porsche’s revamped Cayenne due to debut at the IAA has been revealed with the order books open. However, the plug-in hybrid variant will only arrive at a later date.
autocar.co.uk, europe.autonews.com, porsche.de
Qoros retouches luxury EV: First revealed this April, Qoros has given its K-EV Concept a refresh, optically at least. The 640 kW electric drive remains unchanged and will make it into the small production run planned to commence by 2019.
carscoops.com
“In 2040 there won’t be a pure combustion car, because hybridisation and plug-in hybridisation will be there with room to spare. I genuinely believe plug-in hybrids will represent 40% of the mix even by 2030, so this 2040 ban would be late.”
Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer shares his thoughts about the UK’s plans to ban petrol and diesel cars from 2040, pointing out that the new legislation would have no effect on future trends anyway.
autocar.co.uk
“We have the solutions now. Solar electricity, wind electricity, batteries in electric vehicles and soon electricity from renewable sources are going to be cheaper all over the world than fossil fuels. So we’re going to win this.”
Former vice president Al Gore has not lost his optimism after President Donald Trump’s recent withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. According to him, there are lots of approaches to battle global warming.
hollywoodreporter.com
Renault expects EV price parity: After Volkswagen and BMW, the French follow suit in their prediction of a drastic decrease in costs for electric vehicles thanks to better battery technology. Renault’s leading EV figure, Gilles Normand, said that the Zoe will reach price parity with small combustion-engined cars by the beginning of the next decade. Already, sales of the little EV have increased by 90 percent between 2016 and 2017. For the C-segment, prices will equalise around 2025, according to Normand.
autoexpress.co.uk
Ford’s electrified cars may grow into a whole line-up of no less than 13 models by 2022, plans uncovered by Autocar suggest. Ford trademarked the Energi label for such electrified vehicles as the C-MAX in its plug-in hybrid version. Plus, there will be other PHEVs like the F-150, Mustang as well as the Transit Custom and an all-electric SUV (we reported). Next in line may be the Kuga and Explorer.
autocar.co.uk
Mahindra to electrify all models: The Indian carmaker decided that all new platforms are to offer options for electrification from the start, including light commercial vehicles. The move will enable Mahindra to easier electrify each and every model in the future.
business-standard.com
Ampera-e pricing NL: Opel released prices for its Ampera-e aka the Chevy Bolt in the Netherlands, where it will be offered from 40,995 euros. Deliveries are to start early next year via 28 selected Opel dealers, the so-called Ampera-e-Agents.
opel.nl (in Dutch)
Kiepe Electric is the new name for the recently acquired Vossloh Kiepe now owned by Knorr Bremse. The subsidiary will concentrate on systems for electrification in the bus and rail sector.
automotiveworld.com
As Mini readies the Countryman plug-in hybrid version for its official outing at the end of June reportedly, some journalist got the chance to take it for a first ride. Impressions are good but be warned that its electric range revolves around 30 rather than said 42 kilometres.
autocar.co.uk, autoexpress.co.uk
BMW CEO Harald Krüger at the annual press conference in Munich announced not only “the biggest model offensive ever” but also affirmed the carmakers commitment to electric mobility. “There is no way back,” he said. And thus, all brands and series will be electrified.
Weiterlesen
Faraday Future kept its ground in the desert of Nevada and said its “1bn dollar investment in the region over the next few years has never changed.” Contrary to previous reports, the plant will not be scaled back but instead include an additional facility to produce the FF91. There have been delays, but the EV start up announced it has entered Phase 2 of constructions after the earth has been moved.
automobil-produktion.de (in German), ff.com
BYD to build e-trucks in USA: Works to expand BYD’s facility in Californian Lancaster have started as planned. The Chinese manufacturer will not only build electric buses but electric trucks there as well. The firm said it sold 150 electric trucks in the USA in just two years and its all-electric line-up covers a range of applications from vans and refrigerated trucks over garbage collection EVs to tractors.
cleantechnica.com, trucks.com
Mini PHEV pricing: BMW issued the price for the plug-in hybrid Countryman. The hybrid-electric variant will cost from 31,585 GBP in the UK, where launch is due this June. The new Countryman is the largest Mini model yet and thus on par with other the C-segment cars like the VW Golf or Audi Q3.
autocar.co.uk, automotiveworld.com
I.D. Buzz to debut in Europe: Volkswagen will bring the I.D. Buzz concept to Geneva to display it in front of an European audience for the first time. The electric minibus study had its actual debut in Detroit but still VW has not set an actual date for market entry. At least a new video gets the buzz going.
volkswagen-media-services.com, youtube.com
Velar in full view: Jaguar Land Rover took the veils off its SUV and also reveals some details. Still it remains unclear if the Velar will be electrified in any form, although CEO Ralf Speth has at least considered a hybrid variant. Maybe JLR will tell us more in Geneva, once the Velar had its debut.
autonews.com, landrover.com
Exclusive Launch Edition: First buyers of the Lucid Air must prepare to pay 165,000 dollars for the electric sedan a recent promotion event revealed. EV maker Lucid Motors targets sales of 255 in its first year once the Air with its 1,000 hp system and 130 kWh battery hits the market by 2019.
insideevs.com, fastcompany.com
Peugeot plug-in concept: The French will bring the Instinct Concept to Geneva, a study that embodies Peugeot’s vision of autonomous and connected driving. The future is at least partially electric – the concept is equipped with a 300 hp plug-in hybrid system.
autocar.co.uk, autonews.com
Seat’s first electric car has been revealed at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as planned. It is indeed the Mii that utilises VW e-Up technology. While the first models will serve as shared electric cars for employees in Spain, rumour has it the Mii EV may hit the market by 2019.
autocar.co.uk, youtube.com
High-level lobbying: Initially, China wanted to force automakers to shift 8 percent of their production to electric and hybrid vehicles in 2018. This may now be moved to 2019 and the percentage possibly lowered. Germany had followed complaints by makers like Volkswagen, whose electrification remains slow but was echoed by Chinese manufacturers. Details of the new rules are currently being worked out in China.
global.handelsblatt.com
Mini to leave Britain? As a “hard Brexit” becomes more likely, BMW ponders to move production of the electric Mini from Oxford to Leipzig or Regensburg, Handelsblatt has learnt. The Germans may also tap Dutch Nedcar, which already builds two Mini models for BMW.
handelsblatt.com
E-SUV by Bentley: The British luxury brand sees a market for a smaller SUV just below the Bentayga and considers making it all-electric, according to head of technology Rolf Frech. But such a Bentley EV would kick off no sooner than by 2020 and only after planned PHEV variants.
autonews.com
Tesla and FF appoint new CFOs: Tesla’s CFO Jason Wheeler will abandon his post in April to be replaced by former CFO Deepak Ahuja. Wheeler is off to work on public policies, a bold move in the current political climate. Over at Faraday Future, Stefan Krause, former executive at BMW and Deutsche Bank, is to take care of finances at the new EV maker and will have a lot to sort out.
manager-magazin.de (FF, in German), electrek.co (Tesla)
Tesla is mystery client: The Californians confirmed being behind the deal with the SHW Group (we reported), but denies calling it off due to political reasons. Instead, the carmaker says performance and quality standards were not kept and SHW violated the confidentiality agreement. The latter obviously disagrees and will most likely take legal steps. After all, the cancelled deal was worth 100m dollars.
reuters.com, electrek.co
More range extended models: Nissan wants to offer more models with its new e-Power range extender. Following the small Nissan Note e-Power presented in autumn, the Japanese want to present the Juke e-Power study in Tokyo in October.
carscoops.com, blog.caranddriver.com
Electric Mazda: According to Nikkei, the Japanese carmaker will launch an all-electric compact car in 2019, and is simultaneously working on a rotary engine to be used as range extender. Mazda will also add plug-in hybrids to its portfolio from 2021. And while Mazda will produce its first EV on its own, Nikkei reports that the Japanese may work with Toyota in terms of electric drivetrains in the future.
nikkei.com
Mini production location uncertain: Because of Brexit, the plan to build the 2019 all-electric Mini in Oxford remains in limbo. It could therefore be manufactured near Nedcar in the Netherlands instead.
automobil-produktion.de
Tesla kicks off in Portugal: The Model S and X can now be ordered in Portugal, with first deliveries expected in the second quarter of 2017. Tesla opened a headquarter in Lisbon and says it will also open a store and service centre there. The first Superchargers are scheduled for the second half of this year.
teslarati.com, electrek.co
Nissan Rogue priced: The 2017 hybrid model will start at 27,180 dollars in the U.S. and is therefore just 1,000 dollars more expensive than the petrol version. And more importantly, it’s 2,790 dollars less than its main competition – the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
autoblog.com, hybridcars.com
Pushing FCVs: The World Economic Forum saw the introduction of a new hydrogen council. Companies such as BMW, Daimler, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, Air Liquide, Linde, Shell and Total will work together to help fuel cell technology take off. During the launch event, members confirmed their intent to invest even more than the current 1.4bn euros per year in further development and commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell technology.
greencarcongress.com, .autonews.com, daimler.com
Mini presented its Countryman in detail, announcing that it will launch in Europe in February. The Plug-in-Hybrid drivetrain of the Mini Copper S E Countryman ALL4 combines a 100 kW petrol engine and 65 kW electric motors and can drive fully electric at speeds of up to 125 kph. The all-electric range is set at 40 km. While Mini has no listed a price, the Countryman PHEV was shown with a price tag of 36,000 euros at the Brussels Motor Show.
bmwgroup.com, automobile-propre.com (price; in French)
Gigafactory production: It’s not a secret that Tesla wants to produce components other than battery cells at the Gigafactory, but those plans are finally shaping up. Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said Tesla will invest another 350m dollars in the production site and create 550 new jobs, as the EV maker will being building electric motors and drivetrains for its Model 3 there.
electrek.co, teslarati.com
Tesla recall: The carmaker is calling all Tesla Model S build in 2012 back to the shop to replace possibly faulty Takata airbags. While only U.S. build cars are concerned, Tesla extended the recall worldwide on a voluntary basis. A recall for Model S from 2013 to 2016 could follow. All cars produced after the end of 2016 are not concerned, Tesla says.
teslarati.com, tesla.com
JSW update: The Indian company wants to venture into the electric car market from 2020 (we reported) and initially said it would purchase batteries externally. Now, JSW is considering building batteries themselves as part of a joint venture. Moreover, the son of JSW CEO Sajjan Jindal wants to open his own company selling electric two-wheelers.
bloomberg.com
Driving the Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid: Autocar calls it “better in almost every measurable way” than its predecessor, saying it is “absolutely lovely” to drive in electric mode. Still, the tester misses a bit of that Porsche feel when driving it, saying it “appeals more to the head than the heart.”
autocar.co.uk
