Mini Electric (Cooper SE): Details, Test Drive, and Price of the Electric City Car

Is the Mini Electric (formerly Cooper SE) the coolest among city electric cars? Here is all the information about the small British car, its prices, and its range.

Available in the catalog since 2016, the third generation of the “modern” Mini has offered a 100% electric version since 2020. Like the Peugeot e-208 or the Opel e-Corsa, this Mini Electric (formerly Cooper SE or Cooper S E) has a chassis simply adapted to this technology. It therefore houses a small electric motor and lithium-ion batteries instead of the usual thermal engine block.

Test of the Mini Electric

Dimensions and Motor

The Mini Electric measures 3.85 meters long, 1.73 meters wide, and 1.43 meters high. Only available in three-door configuration, it is positioned between the Fiat 500e (3.63 meters long) and “classic” city cars like the Peugeot e-208 (4.06 meters). It thus joins its “real rival,” the Honda e (3.89 meters). Its compact size limits its trunk capacity to 211 liters. That’s 40 liters more than the Japanese model, but less than the 265 liters of an e-208 or the 338 liters of a Renault ZOE.

On the motor side, this Mini Cooper sports a 184-horsepower electric unit, a power unmatched in the city electric car category. With a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in 7.3 seconds, it outpaces all its competitors but beware, its batteries remain relatively small: 32.6 kWh, of which 28.9 kWh are usable.

Range and Charging of the Mini Electric

These compact batteries somewhat limit the maximum range of the British car. It claims between 225 and 234 kilometers depending on the chosen options, according to the WLTP homologation cycle. That’s relatively low compared to other manufacturers. With a 50 kWh battery capacity, the Peugeot e-208 can travel 362 kilometers, and the Renault Zoé can even reach nearly 400 kilometers.

The Mini Cooper SE can be recharged on alternating current up to 11 kW via a Type 2 socket. Full recharge at this power takes about 3 hours 50 minutes, or 2 hours 30 minutes for 80%. It will take approximately 5 hours on a 7.4 kW wallbox. For fast charging, it accepts a 50 kW DC power via a Combo CCS port. That’s less than the 100 kW of the Peugeot e-208, but thanks to the smaller batteries, it only takes 36 minutes to go from 0 to 80% at this power level.

What is the Price of the Mini Electric?

The Mini Electric starts at €33,900, a higher starting price than the Peugeot e-208 (€33,250), the Renault ZOE (€32,100), which have larger batteries and thus a better maximum range. However, its chic rival, the Honda e, is more expensive despite offering less performance (albeit with richer equipment).

But it offers superior performance and more fun driving experience. It’s therefore a very different philosophical choice compared to its rivals. Like the others, it is eligible for the maximum ecological bonus of €6,000.

Has the Mini Electric Already Been Replaced?

Not yet! Note that it has recently undergone a facelift and is expected to remain in the catalog until next year. After that, Mini will launch a brand new generation of the car in 2023, which may skip thermal versions. Assembled in Oxford, England, the current Mini Electric features batteries signed by CATL.

Photos of the Mini Electric 2022

Technical Sheet of the Mini Electric

Also read: Renault Twingo E-Tech: info, range, and price of the electric city car