Brad Ostendorf is a vehicle enthusiast who, among his collection, owns two Mini Coopers. Brad enjoys contributing to online blogs in his spare time, and in the following article, he discusses Mini Cooper’s possible future as an electric vehicle. This exciting news could completely change the EV market, making way for a more affordable EV vehicle to be available to consumers.
When BMW first debuted the hybrid Mini Cooper SE, the idea of an affordable electric vehicle seemed too far off for the average consumer. At that time, Tesla held a fast grip over the EV market, leading many to assume that EV manufacturing costs would remain inaccessible for years to come. Yet, since then, technology has advanced, and Mini Cooper now looks set to become the latest successful EV says Brad Ostendorf.
After racing a fully electric convertible Mini Cooper SE through the streets of Miami last month, many are wondering whether BMW meant to hint at an upcoming line of EV Minis. While the company opted to stay quiet, it does seem that the iconic British car could have a future as an EV. Below, Brad Ostendorf takes a look at the signs and discusses how far Mini Cooper has come.
What Sparked All of the Commotion
The conversation about an EV Mini Cooper all started when BMW hosted its summer 2022 promotional event, “Mini Takes the States”. During the event, the leading automobile manufacturer raced a one-off convertible Mini Cooper SE through Florida, ending in Miami. However, Brad Ostendorf states that rather than a traditional hybrid engine, this model featured a 184 horsepower SE EV drivetrain.
This marked a two-fold shift for the company, which had never before presented a convertible Mini Cooper SE or a purely EV model of the car. Of course, industry analysts were quick to jump on board and reported that BMW was preparing a fleet of electric convertibles. Since then, BMW has clapped back saying that their promotional model was just a demonstration car and not intended for mass manufacturing according to Brad Ostendorf.
Yet, many are questioning whether this is true. The EV drivetrain presented in Miami last month appeared to be a fully functional car, ready to hit production lines. Brad Ostendorf says that to date, it appears that the company is standing by its decision, arguing that the EV model was only intended to gauge interest.
The Near Future of the Mini
If BMW is sincere about its claim, there could very well be a convertible EV Mini Cooper available on the market within the next few years. Although the company is not currently working on a mass-produced electric version of the car, the amount of interest generated by their summer promotion has certainly signaled demand in the market says Brad Ostendorf.
It’s important to remember that, even if an EV Mini Cooper isn’t currently in production, the company has been working hard to electrify its existing lineup. To date, there is already an EV hardtop Mini Cooper, as well as a hybrid SUV model—the Mini Countryman ALL4. Both models have seen soaring success since their debuts, signaling a major demand for more EV options.
The Role Mini Cooper Play in the EV Market
Brad Ostendorf explains that as more and more automobile manufacturers jump on board the EV trend, it’s hard to say exactly where Mini Cooper will land. What is for sure, though, is that their current line of hardtop EV Mini Coopers is already less expensive than the Tesla Model 3. If the company can maintain its growth and production rates, Mini Cooper could become a lower-priced, stylish alternative to the leading EV automaker.
Of course, Mini isn’t alone in the market. With several other affordable automobile manufacturers already debuting their own electric vehicles, Mini may struggle to find its footing in an increasingly competitive field. For example, Chevrolet, Ford, Kia, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota have all announced their own EV SUVs, trucks, and sedans, flooding the market with available and affordable options explains Brad Ostendorf.
Mini does seem to be in a unique position, though, as one of the most iconic cars in history. Not since the now-discontinued VW Beatle has a vehicle captured such an audience and maintained a similar design style since its creation says Brad Ostendorf. Fans of the Mini will continue to purchase the Mini without major alterations, whereas competitors will have to design and release new models from year to year.
Final Thoughts
The future of electric vehicles is still very much up in the air. While it’s clear that they are the wave of the automotive industry’s future, it’s hard to say how soon they will become the new norm. As for Mini Cooper, it seems that the company is still undecided on whether or not to produce a convertible EV model. However, the interest generated by their recent promotional event has shown that there is definitely a demand for such a car.
