15 replies to this topic

[Screwdriver]

 

 

125 miles of range and better than Cooper S performance are a good start. A shame that they don't offer conversions at a lower price. 

[mab01uk]

He has also reviewed the Electric modern MINI

 

MINI E: ultimate electric hot hatch?

 

Edited by mab01uk, 31 March 2020 - 09:29 AM.

[IronmanG]

Specialist components have something in the works

[MIGLIACARS]

Specialist components have something in the works

That probably will never go into production

[Ethel]

Anyone else share my suspicion a lot of these reproduction modernised Minis will end up being logbook specials built from a heritage shell and a hefty  list of brand new bits?

 

Not saying that's necessarily bad, but there could theoretically be a nasty surprise from the DVSA for anyone spending the best part of £100k on one.

[IronmanG]

Anyone else share my suspicion a lot of these reproduction modernised Minis will end up being logbook specials built from a heritage shell and a hefty  list of brand new bits?
 
Not saying that's necessarily bad, but there could theoretically be a nasty surprise from the DVSA for anyone spending the best part of £100k on one.

Its inevitable

[beardylondon]

You can legally convert any car registered before 2001 into electric, London Electric Minis seem to have it sussed.

 

 

Anyone else share my suspicion a lot of these reproduction modernised Minis will end up being logbook specials built from a heritage shell and a hefty  list of brand new bits?
 
Not saying that's necessarily bad, but there could theoretically be a nasty surprise from the DVSA for anyone spending the best part of £100k on one.

Its inevitable

 

[Screwdriver]

I haven't seen a Classic Mini electric rated as capable of over 120 miles, probably due to the challenge of battery packaging in such a small chassis. While cost prohibitive for most of us, and illogical for those with well cared for examples, this may end up being a solution may of us may embrace should emissions laws prove extremely draconian. 

Edited by Screwdriver, 01 April 2020 - 11:48 AM.

[DeadSquare]

If I start now, I might be able to stretch a Mini van to make an electric hearse for my funeral.

[Ethel]

 

You can legally convert any car registered before 2001 into electric, London Electric Minis seem to have it sussed.

 

 

Anyone else share my suspicion a lot of these reproduction modernised Minis will end up being logbook specials built from a heritage shell and a hefty  list of brand new bits?
 
Not saying that's necessarily bad, but there could theoretically be a nasty surprise from the DVSA for anyone spending the best part of £100k on one.

Its inevitable

 

 

 

Sure it can be done, provided you score enough of those DVSA brownie points to say it's the same vehicle.

 

I just doubt the best way to make a car you can charge £80k for is to patch up a beat up old Min from a stock pile of 'em you'd have to keep.

 

Trigger's brooms probably are legal, but it could be seen as taking the mick to put a brand new electric handle in a new brush head at the same time claiming it's the same old broom so doesn't need SVA etc.

[PACINO]

After the transformation, a fun and pollution-free car remains, but the price until its manufacture does not do it in a massive way, is totally exorbitant for most pockets.

[Screwdriver]

^ Agree. That said, if Cooper Car Co. were to offer this as an "official" engine modification for around £10-12K with warranty, would you consider it? 

[beardylondon]

Cooper Car is just Mini Sport isn’t it?

[harrythehat]

crazy prices for conversions yet buying the parts is not that expensive

Alibaba you can buy all the parts there

[Tremelune]

As someone who is doing a similar electric conversion I can tell you that the money is in the labor. My project is a prototype-style, can-I-do-this-at-all project without regard for fit and finish in the first go-around, and I've spent hours and hours and hours on the thing...and I might be halfway done for getting it driving/legal.

 

There are no ready-made subframes (or anything else) available, and it's extraordinarily difficult to find a shop or fabricator who will take on the task of fitting the motor themselves...I contacted all makers of electric classic Minis, and none have any interest in making parts for DIYers, or divulging specs/CAD/measurements. I don't blame them, as that would make it harder to convince someone to pay six digits for their conversion, but it is a bummer. But now I know how to weld and do basic fabrication...

 

Parts cost is USD$10-15k so far, and that's using everything I could from a USD$6k Nissan Leaf. You won't get very far very fast with Alibaba stuff.

Edited by Tremelune, 25 April 2020 - 02:46 AM.