Does anyone have issues with the delay announced with today's e-mail issue of MINI E: PLUGGED-IN? (They said only 150 of the wall box charger cables are available now, with the rest coming in July—they advise us to charge using normal 110V house circuits).

For me, with a 90-mile commute, the issue is that I probably would not be able to use the car for the commute until the cable is supplied. Since the car's range is like 110 miles, I need a full charge. I most likely cannot charge at work (I'm pursuing it, but signs are not good), and my car is only home for about 13 hours from evening return to morning departure, which will not be enough to get it fully charged. And with recent test drive reports talking about 4-5% drops in the battery after just 2 miles (with some acceleration and learning the feel issues, admittedly), I'm even wondering if I'll get to work the first day I use it and have 55% charge left or not...

 

I think this is an issue for everyone NOT in the first lucky group of 150. Apparently they have to deliver the cars by the end of June to get CARB credits. But without the cable I suspect most people will be in the same boat - a car with the utility of a golf cart - good for a quick joyride to the grocery store and not much else. I suppose the true urbanites among us will be okay with that but most of us are in suburbs (statistically speaking). I suspect that's why they are not charging the first months lease.

 

Exactly. Mini has to get the cars to us by June 30 to earn the zero-emission credits whether the chargers are ready or not. The email also stated that Mini is prepared to waive the lease for as long as the wall boxes are non-function since I'm sure they realize many drivers with longer commutes won't be able to use the cars till 240V charging is available.

My Tuesday to Friday work commute is less than 10 miles, so if I'm offered one of the 150 charge cords available in California, I'll probably turn it down as I can get by with 110V charging for most of my driving. Hopefully someone with a longer commute will benefit.

 

Stan,

How generous of you! And I'll join you!

I think it is the right think to do, so the most number can participate. Passing on the cable if you have a short commute to help those that have a longer one and really need the 220 and charger box to make the car function for their life situation. I would hate to see someone drop out after all we have been through simply because they need the range and can't get the cable.

In our case my commute is 20 miles R.T. My wife has a 35mile R.T, Stores and restaurants that we frequent are very close by. Most of our long cruises happen on Sunday.

So a 110 situation works great for us. the 8pm until 7am charge time will be more than enough to top of our batteries and we can leave the car plugged in most of Saturday to get a full charge for Sundays trip. We both could also opportunity charge at work.

I think we should all let our dealers know if we could pass on the cable for a while or if we really need it.

Their is a bonus for those that don't need the cable right away and that is you get the car with no payments until the wallbox/cable is installed. That is a trade off that would benefit me, help someone else, and cause no disruption to the way I would use the car.

Cheers
peder
http://electricmini.blogspot.com/

 

My employer has tentatively offered 110V charging so if I can confirm that, it would help me to get by without the 240V cable for a while. How that works out on weekends is another story of course- if I drive a lot on Saturday I might have to drive my other car Sunday while the MINI charges up. I'm curious if there is any longer term negative impact on battery life if I never really had it at a full charge until I received the 240v cable.

 

We took that survey a month or so ago that asked us to detail our weekly mileage estimates. Maybe Mini could use those to prioratize the distribution of the 240V cables to those with the longer commutes. I'll send an email to Mini with the suggestion.

 

For those people with long daily commutes consider driving the MINI E one day, and letting it charge the next.
I was a little bothered at first, while my daily commute is about 40miles, I do plan trips some longer 80 mile trips, mostly on the weekends. But with MINI E waving the lease fee I will gladly deal with this inconvenience, and just drive the MINI E on alternate days when it needs to be charged up.
I am a bit upset that those lucky 150 who got the charging cable are also getting their lease fee waved for a month, but hopefully us on the East coast will get a second or third month waived.
Put me on the list of those willing to wait for a charger as long as the lease fee is being waived.