Mini unveils the all-electric scooter that only costs 1p a mile



Mini is going all mod with the launch today of a 'green' electric scooter that promises 1p a mile motoring.

Model Agyness Deyn unveiled the hi-tech but retro-looking zero-emissions two-wheeler in London yesterday, before it goes on display at next week's Paris Motor Show.

Adorned with big side mirrors and lashings of chrome, it rekindled memories of the heyday of the scooter during the 1960s when hundreds of Parka-wearing Mods would ride their scooters to Brighton.



It also comes 51 years after the iconic British car-maker revolutionised motoring with the original 10ft square box car designed by Sir Alec Issigonis.

Model Agyness Deyn reveals one of the MINI Scooter E Concept vehicles at the Vinyl Factory in London today

The new prototype MINI Scooter-E is powered by a lithium-ion battery linked to an electric motor which drives the 11-inch rear wheel.

Aimed primarily at younger drivers for urban use, the MINI electric scooter expected to produce 1p a mile motoring, with a range of about 30 miles and a top speed restricted to about 50 mph.

It can be charged directly from the household mains thanks to a plug and five yards of spring-loaded retractable cable cunningly stored beneath the driver and passenger seat. Each full re-charge is expected to take around four hours.

However a spokesman pointed out:'Brief stops can be used to top up the battery. Stop-offs for shopping or visiting a cafe can be used for hassle-free battery recharging.'

MINI Scooter-E : The stats

Length: 6ft 6 ins

Height: 4ft 3ins

Width: 2ft 11ins

Weight: 85kg Price: £4,000 to £5,000 estimated



On sale: predicted 2012 - in time for parent company BMW's sponsorship of all official transport for London Olympics



Power: Electric via lithium ion battery powering rear-wheel electric motor

Running costs: 1p a mile to run, average 12p a day

Range: around 30miles

Top speed: limited to 50mph

Charging: 5 metre retractable cable and domestic plug charges scooter from the household mains.

Full charge: 4 to 5 hours. But can be 'topped' up en route.

A battery charge indicator tells the rider how much charge is left - and how far it will take them.

The company will judge reaction to the prototype at the Paris Motor Show from next week with a view to it going on sale within two years - just in time for the London Olympics which parent company BMW is sponsoring as the main provider of transport to athletes, officials and other VIPs.

Although some basic electric scooters currently on the market can cost from around £1,500, the hi-tech, hi-spec MINI Scooter is expected to be between £4,000 and £5,000.

A MINI spokesman said:''The MINI Scooter E is powered is powered by an electric motor integrated in the rear wheel.

'The motor's lithium ion battery can be recharged at any conventional power socket using the on-board charging cable.'

The MINI Scooter also has another hi-tech touch. A snap-in adaptor means the driver can insert his or her smart-phone into the front console as a secure 'key' to start it.



The screen of the phone then doubles as sat-nav, music player or blue-tooth telephone.



A special crash helmet with an integrated microphone and headphones will allow the rider - via a wireless Bluetooth connection - to use the phone or access their music while riding.

The MINI scooter follows the firm's launch last year of its electric MINI-e car which is currently being leased to customers around the UK.

German car giant BMW began production of the new generation MINI in 2001 and since then has sold more than 1.7million of the Oxford-built cars.

There has been a growing tend for mainstream motor manufacturers to have in their range a low or zero-emitting vehicle. This is partly to help them conform to tough new EU limits on emissions.

Mercedes-Benz's Smart is also showcasing an electric Smart scooter at the Paris show. Aston Martin has created the tiny 'Cygnet', which customers of its larger cars will be able to buy as an add-on.

Craig Carey-Clinch of the Motor Cycle Industry Association (MCIA) said there had been a boom in demand for scooters in recent years - with sales up around a quarter in the last decade.

