BMW Says More than 9,000 Are Interested In Leasing Electric Mini E
By John O'Dell November 7, 2008Recession? What recession?
That's what the leasing team for BMW's upcoming Mini EV must be thinking.
Since announcing the car 21 days ago, BMW says that more than 9,000 people have expressed interest in leasing one - at the rather hefty price of $850 a month.
The scramble should be interesting as BMW has said it will only released 500 of the Mini E models, as the battery-electric car is being called.
Actual lease applications won't be available until the middle of the month - and then only to people in certain areas of California, New York and New Jersey where electric vehicle recharging infrastructure exists.
The 9,000-plus "hand-raisers" expressed interest in the Mini E lease program by signing up for information on the Mini web site.
The 2-seat car looks like a standard Mini with the rear seat removed to make room for the batteries. Range is estimated at about 150 miles on a single charge.
Mini Es also will sport special paint jobs and decals identifying them as electric cars.
The lease price, which will cover all maintenance, is only $29 a month less than the lease price of a $77,000 BMW 750i sedan.
John O'Dell, Senior Editor
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