In response to over 15,000 hand-raisers and growing, MINI USA announced that consumers can now place their order for the all-new battery electric MINI Cooper SE at the MINI Electric page on MINIUSA.com or at ShopMINIUSA.com.
The 2020 MINI Cooper SE will reach U.S. showrooms in early March of 2020 with a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $29,900 plus an additional $850 Destination & Handling fee.
“On the emotional side, “fun to drive” is the number one reason why consumers purchase a MINI, and this new MINI Electric offers the same fun-to-drive, go-kart reflexes we’ve built into our MINI Cooper S hardtop.”, said Michael Peyton, Vice President, MINI of the Americas. “On the rational side, 80% of all MINI house-holds own two or more cars, and with an accessible price, the MINI Electric is a perfect complement in offering more customers attainable, emission-free driving.”
The Cooper SE makes electric mobility more “MINI” by maintaining authentic attributes of design, handling, and fun that are found in every MINI model. The MINI Cooper SE harkens back to the mission of the very first Mini developed by Sir Alec Issigonis in 1959 – to develop a creative solution for a highly efficient car with a small footprint that was fun to drive, and accessible to the masses.
Power and Performance
With a low center of gravity, a powerful electric powertrain, and dynamic handling, the MINI Cooper SE is a true performance car that retains all the fun-to-drive attributes MINI owners have come to know and love. The front wheel drive electric motor generates 181hp and 199 lb.-ft. of torque enabling the new MINI Cooper SE to go from 0 – 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 93 mph.
Attainable Electric Mobility
While the MINI Cooper SE has an MSRP of $29,900, the federal EV credit of $7,500 along with available state EV incentives make the MINI Cooper SE even more attractive. In some cases, qualified consumers can get a MINI Cooper SE below $20,000. Examples of some state EV incentives include;
- CO – offers $4,000 (as of 2020)
- CA – offers $2,000 plus an additional $2,500 based on income qualifications
- DE – offers $3,500
- MD – offers $3,000
- OR – offers $2,500
- NJ – Car is exempt form 7% sales tax on new vehicle purchases
There are also a number of states that offer $1,500 – $1,700 in credits, along with some states that offer additional benefits such as access to HOV lanes.
The value equation goes up more when one factors in fuel savings on top of federal and state incentives. A MINI Cooper SE battery electric customer may realize an additional saving of up to $3,700 over a six year period of driving with the comparison based on the following assumptions:
- MINI Cooper S with 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine – 30 MPG combined
- MINI Cooper SE battery electric – miles per kWh at 3.22
- 10,000 average miles driven a year
- Premium fuel at $3.30 a gallon
- Electricity at $0.15 a kW
With this estimated fuel cost savings, the MINI Cooper SE becomes even more attainable.
The MINI Cooper SE comes standard with the Signature base trim level that offers a full complement of premium features and equipment. Beyond the standard equipment, two additional trim levels will be offered giving customers the choice to easily add two bundled packages of premium equipment.