Three months have passed since Mini introduced its first hybrid, the Mini Cooper S E Countryman All4, which is about to arrive in Portugal. The BMW Group's electrification strategy, about which much has been said, will reach its high point (in the British brand) in 2019.
It's only two years from now that we'll get to know, in detail, the first electric Mini model. In fact, the brand's first foray into electric vehicles took place in 2009, with the Mini E prototype (in the images), which contributed to the validation of the technology that would come to be important for the development of the BMW i3.
The BMW Group confirmed this week that the Electric Mini will be produced at the brand's factory in Oxford , north of London, while the 100% electric powertrains will be produced in Bavaria at the Dingolfing and Landshut plants.
After, on previous occasions, we have reported that the new model would be something apart from the other Mini, it is now officially confirmed that the future Electric Mini will be a variant of the current three-door model. For now, little or nothing is known about the specifications. Therefore, the decision to keep production in «His Majesty's Lands» is justified.
Oliver Zipse, BMW Group Head of ProductionOur adaptable production system is innovative and able to react quickly to variations in customer demand. If necessary, we can increase the production of components for electric motors quickly and efficiently, according to market evolution.
In a statement, the BMW Group states that the expectation is that, in 2025, between 15-25% of the total sales volume will be of electrified vehicles – 100% electric and hybrid included. Although I admit that regulations, incentives and infrastructure in each country can greatly influence the scale of electrification of the models in each market.
At least in the British market, this transition will take place as quickly as possible, according to the plans of the UK government, which have just been unveiled. Know more here.
