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New Electric Mini Undercuts Chevrolet Bolt EV Price At $30,750

The new battery-electric Mini SE hatchback will start at $30,750, BMW has announced.

That price undercuts the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which starts at $37,495 in the United States. However, it’s hard to say if the Mini is truly a better deal than the Bolt EV at this point, as BMW has yet to disclose official EPA range estimates for the Mini SE.

On the European test cycle, the Mini SE has an estimated range of 235 to 270 kilometers, equivalent to 146-168 miles. This cycle is usually more generous than the North American test procedure, so the EPA’s estimated range for the car will likely be a bit less than that. Automotive News previously estimated the Mini SE would receive an EPA rating of around 114 miles.

That is quite a bit less than the Chevrolet Bolt EV, which, with its new-for-2020 battery pack, has an EPA-estimated range of 259 miles. It seems the Mini SE is positioned as more of an emissions-free city car, whereas the Bolt EV is intended as a true alternative for an internal-combustion engine hatchback.

The Mini SE’s electric powertrain is rated at 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. Driving the front wheels, it will entice the little hatch from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.9 seconds, carrying it to a top speed of 93 mph. By comparison, the four-door Bolt EV has 200 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 91 mph.

As far as charging goes, BMW says its electric Mini will charge from flat to 80-percent capacity in around 35 minutes using a DC fast charger. Slower AC charging will take around two and a half hours to charge the battery to 80 percent and three and a half hours to charge to 100 percent. Chevy claims the Bolt EV can add about 90 miles of capacity in 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.

Standard equipment on the Mini SE will include LED headlights and fog lamps, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay integration (a larger 8.5-inch screen is available), faux-leather upholstery and active driving assist with forward collision alert.

The Nissan Leaf, which is a more direct competitor to the electric Mini than the Chevrolet Bolt EV, starts at $30,885 in the U.S. and has an EPA-estimated range of 150 miles. The Nissan Leaf Plus, EPA-rated at 226 miles of range, starts at $37,195. Let’s not forget the Hyundai Kona Electric, either, which offers 258 miles of range according to the EPA and starts at $38,045 in the U.S.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. The headline should be “Electric Mini has a small battery and crappy range”.

    Reply
    1. But isn’t UAF like the Bolt.

      GM missed their opportunity by making the Bolt look the way it does. I see one on average every 2 months.

      Reply
  2. so with the tax credit, that will be a $23K car? that is a pretty enticing commuter vehicle.

    Reply
    1. That Mini does not deserve the tax credit because it is an import. Many U.S. citizens will be angry when they read that each Mini purchases removes $7,500 from the Federal tax income and removes one U.S. brand car sale, too.

      Anyway, it is a smaller and weaker EV so why buy such a piece of imported junk? Buying a used GM EV for that same money or less is better and more efficient as all the purchase money stays in the U.S.

      Reply
      1. Where were you when Nissan leaf was getting tax credit? The incentive is to generate higher demand for electric cars. Doesn’t matter who is making it, as long as there is market and competition. Free market is the fundamental pillar of US democracy.

        Reply
      2. The Chevy Bolt is about 82% imported Korean parts, although then Bolt is assembled in Michigan. The majority of assembly is performed by robots. GM has sold enough electrified cars that the Bolt’s tax credit is now $3,750 and will soon be cut in half again.

        It is noteworthy that the tax credit goes to the consumer , not the manufacturer. The tax credit only apples to taxes owed and can not be used to reduce taxes to less than zero, netting a refund.

        Reply
  3. Meh, with that range/battery, this actually seems somewhat overpriced to me. Especially with dealer incentives on Bolts.

    Reply
  4. Mini might have a winner if they chopped the top. An EV convertible at that price point would be a win as a second car.

    Reply

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