MINI E Oxford Hand-over February 15, 2010

On December 13th, 2009, at the MINI plant in Oxford, England, forty select Brits became the next group of lucky drivers of the zero emission, fully electric MINI E.
Beginning on Dec 13th, the chosen drivers began their six-month field tests of the car. Even UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was there to see a MINI E added to the Government car pool. A team of experts is studying how the MINI E and electric driving is received by its British pioneering test drivers. Engineers, academics, government officials, policy-makers and forward-thinking businesses from across the globe will be monitoring the outcome of the MINI E field trials closely, and implementing the results in decisions about the future of electric vehicles and their place in the urban landscape. "It is fitting that the brand with its inspiration in the oil crisis of the 1950s is again at the forefront of energy efficiency with a car that is guaranteed to put a smile on your face," said Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group (UK).   And there's more to becoming a MINI E test-driver than reducing a carbon footprint. On top of its zero emissions, this car features the perks that MINI is known for, like a big personality, quick acceleration and go-kart handling. Die-hard MINI devotees will be just as pleased as environmentalists. You can learn more about the MINI E UK field trials and the newest group of lucky Pioneers by keeping up with our news right here on the MINI E Pioneers page.