More than nine thousand people have contacted Mini USA, hoping to sign up to lease an electric Mini Cooper when the car becomes available in January.
Mini plans to build only 500.
Autoblog Green reports, Since MINI USA opened up the MINIspace.com site a couple of weeks ago to allow people to register their interest in leasing the new MINI E next year, over 9,500 people have signed up. Unfortunately most of them will not actually have the opportunity to get one."
The cars will be available only in California, New York and New Jersey. BMW has limited availability to those states because service technicians must be trained to handle the cars' unique powertrains.
For those lucky enough to get one, the Mini E won't be cheap.
CNET notes, "BMW wouldn't disclose the monthly lease payment, but a spokeswoman said it will be more than $500. The lease will include all maintenance and replacement of parts." For those still interested in lining up, "Formal applications for the Mini E will be taken for three to four weeks starting in mid-November, and delivery of the car starts in January."
Mini says that the car uses a lithium-ion battery pack to power a 204-horsepower electric motor, and can be recharged in less than five hours from a 240-volt outlet.
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