Mini E delivered to first customer

Thousands of people signed up for a chance to lease the MINI E. BMW’s Mini has made 500 of the cars that it is leasing for about $850 a month to learn more about how electric cars will hold up in service. Of the 500 produced at this stage, 50 are destined for Berlin. Now, after months of winnowing down the list, the very first car has been delivered to one very happy customer who is now lighter in the wallet.

After meeting all the necessary requirements and having a charger installed in his garage, Peter Trepp took delivery of his shiny new MINI E this week. He had actually just test-driven one the day before where he learned of his impending good fortune.

Numbered 111, the electric two-seater will be Trepp’s car for a year before having to return it. His first drive in his car occurred in bad L.A. traffic, but he was more than content and enjoyed the entire slow ride home, if only saying it for good PR. Trepp advises other future MINI E “pioneers” they’ll get used to not having to touch the brake pedal. The regenerative braking is relatively strong and “not bad at all.” Drivers won’t have to worry about the people behind them being unaware when the car’s momentum decreases as the brake lights will come on when the foot is lifted from the accelerator. Trepp will highlight his MINI E experience on his blog.

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