BMW City Drivers: BMW “Botched” Program

In June 2009, BMW has encountered several problems with its program to evaluate the all electric Mini-E. BMW Mini or BMW City has lease for $850 a month for a year – but this program continues to stumble as a growing number of volunteers who are trying this program – are going public with their issues.

BMW Mini E-Car – Mini Cooper all electric version – is can boasts from 0 to 60 mph time of 8.5 second with a 95 mph top speed. This mini electric car is capable of approximately 150 miles on a charge. BMW produced about 500 BMW City cars—and leased to individuals and municipalities in Southern California, New Jersey, and New York.

The list of BMW City Car’s complaints includes:

• Need a long time to deliver Mini E Car to lessees
• Months of delays in the installation and inspection of home charging equipment, some requiring expensive upgrades to home power service
• Mini E Car were delivered as electric vehicle conversions – with the back seat taken up by the battery pack – rather than finished production vehicles
• Need a long time to recharge – as long as 21 hours for a full charge

The most serious accusation levied against BMW Mini Electric Car comes from the electric car advocacy group – Plug In America (PIA). PIA Group said the Mini E program was botched and accused BMW Company just want to get credit for California Air Resource Board Zero Emission Vehicle or CARB-ZEV mandate. Even though they just leased for one year, the company gets full credit for BMW City E-Cars. PIA Group also blames CARB policy which essentially created a loophole for the company to exploit.

Natalie Bauters, spokeswoman of Mini E, said that the company made no secret of trying to take advantage of the ZEV credits of the June 30 deadline – according to the LA Times. “BMW is clearly committed to this technology. We have learned a bloody ton, and we intend to use that learning in the future” said the manager of product stratergy for the Mini E Car, Rich Steinberg.

According to Car and Driver Magazine – BMW will officially launch BMW Mini, its first electric car under its Project I program in 2011. BMW City is a little smaller than a Honda Fit but the style will be BMW-like and the range about 100 miles.

“According to BMW chairman and CEO Norbert Reithofer, the City is designed specifically for the US market to meet California’s ZEV requirements.” As Car and Driver reported. Moreover, the company also developing gas and diesel version of the BMW City for Asian markets, particularly in China.

Beside BMW City, there are other articles by Johan Young you may interest in reading: BMW X5, Honda Hybrid Cars, GM Hybrid Cars, and Global Warming Effect.