BMW ’s MINI brand was slated to lease an all-electric model at the start of the year, but stronger-than-expected demand has caused a delay in the program. MINI has allotted 450 units of its electric ‘E’ for lease in the U.S., but the BMW-owned automaker has received more than 1,800 requests for the zero-emissions vehicle.
While MINI sifts through the piles of applicants, the launch date of the program has been moved back to the beginning of April. MINI has managed to narrow the applicants down to 1,000, with the remaining applicants being decided on by 16 dealers – all in the New York and Los Angeles areas where the E will be leased.
Applicants must have a lockable garage – to house the E’s charge box – and drive less than 200 miles per day. We have to make sure their driving style fits with what we want,” Jim McDowell, VP of MINI USA told Automotive News. “If you drive 200 miles a day, that’s a longer daily drive than our range.”
MINI originally planned to offer 500 Es for lease in the use, but will redirect 50 for use in Berlin. Those that are lucky enough to wind up with an E in their garage will have to pay $850 per month.
