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MAXIMISE YOUR RANGE.
Discover everything you need to know about optimising your MINI Electric’s performance while on, and off, the road – so you can make the most of every charge. We’ve compiled a handy guide to help you maximise your driving range and really go the distance.
YOUR DRIVING STYLE.
ONE-PEDAL DRIVING.
With MINI Electric's one-pedal driving feature, you accelerate and brake just by using the throttle. As you lift your foot off the pedal, you activate an intelligent regenerative braking system. This not only slows your MINI down smoothly but converts energy from the forward motion which is sent to recharge the battery. It's a great way to win back some extra charge – while optimising the battery range and overall performance of your MINI.
You can make it a challenge to see how long you can drive on one pedal and without touching the real brake. Though to be safe, always make sure you leave enough space for it to decelerate. And no worries about the drivers behind you, as your brake lights illuminate when you use one-pedal driving to show them you are slowing down. If, however, you need to do an emergency stop, then you will have to use the standard hydraulic brakes.
"I JUST TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. AND IT SLOWS DOWN.”
MISTY, LONDON-BASED MINI ELECTRIC OWNER.
DRIVING MODES.
Located in the centre console the driving mode toggle allows you to switch between Sport, Mid, Green and Green + modes. The Green mode offers you a consistently consumption-reducing setting to optimise battery range. While Green + switches off the air conditioning and other non-vital functions which use battery power, and it also decrease the responsiveness of the accelerator.
THE SMOOTHER, THE FURTHER.
Accelerating is great fun, but minimising it makes it even more special and keeps your energy consumption lower. Driving at a steady pace – rather than frequent, foot-down acceleration – will help your MINI Electric preserve range. This will also reduce your reliance on braking hard which consumes more energy than gentler braking.
MISTY, LONDON-BASED MINI ELECTRIC OWNER.
“The preconditioning function is a great feature because the battery is already warmed up – making the car more efficient once you’re on the move. Less energy used, means more range and less money spent.”
EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE.
PRE-HEAT OR PRE-COOL?
Extreme temperatures have an impact on how well your battery maintains its charge level. We can't control the weather but the pre-conditioning feature lets you pre-heat or pre-cool your MINI Electric battery to its optimum temperature with electricity from the power grid rather than from your vehicle's battery. Similarly, you can set the air conditioning to your ideal temperature while it’s still charging.
This has the added benefit of maximising the range since less energy will be required to heat the cabin while you drive. You can schedule this using the touchscreen inside MINI Electric, or set it remotely with the MINI App. You can pre-heat at regular time slots, too, so you can commute in complete comfort.
“I LIKE TO PRE-HEAT THE CAR IN THE MORNING BEFORE I GET IN, WHILE THE CAR IS STILL CHARGING."
IOLA, MINI ELECTRIC OWNER.
HEATED SEATS AND STEERING WHEEL.
In general, if you have pre-heated your MINI, it should be enough to keep you warm. But in cold temperatures, once you set off, we recommend taking advantage of your MINI’s heated seats and steering wheel to stay warm instead of overusing the heating system, which can impact range.
WINTER RANGE BLUES?
Cold weather can reduce an EV's range by more than 20% according to What Car? But it effects petrol-driven cars, too, by up to 15%.
These are average values and there are numerous variables that can affect the range such as driving behaviour, terrain and traffic. But with good planning you can depend on your MINI Electric to get you where you want to go whatever the weather.
AIR CONDITIONING OR OPEN WINDOW?
This debate will run and run, and different surveys tell us different things. But neither help fuel efficiency. The air con uses battery power, while having the window open increases drag on the car. There is still a suggestion that having your windows open is the more economical of the two. But on a busy road, do you really want to breathe in those exhaust fumes?
IOLA, MINI ELECTRIC OWNER IN SOUTH YORKSHIRE.
“I definitely don’t charge every night; only when I have to. People would be surprised to find that most journeys are actually quite short, and don’t require a full battery. For people worried about range and charging, I’d say: make sure you plan journeys before you go, use the Green driving modes to help preserve range, don’t carry unnecessary luggage, and only get the charge you need."
BATTERY SIZE.
DOES BATTERY SIZE MATTER?
At MINI, we firmly believe that it's how you use the battery that counts. MINI Electric adheres closely to our renowned creative use of space principle. Here a sophisticated, all-electric drivetrain is powered by a high voltage lithium-ION battery that is arranged in a T-shape and positioned along the length of the vehicle floor between the front seats and below the rear seats.
This results in a low centre of gravity with even weight distribution to give enhanced stability and agile handling. And with its 234 km range, you always get where you need to go.
A few fast tips.
20-80%
Keep your battery charged within this range
20° C
Setting off at around this temperature will help improve your range.
16-17"
Wheels in this tyre size with thicker treads will help optimise your range.
50-70 km/h
This is the optimal speed range for conserving power while driving at speed.
FAQS.
If everyone drives an EV, will the grid be able to cope?
National grid capacity isn’t the big problem most people think. So far, the market entry of EVs in the EU has been very predictable and the electric grid is constantly being developed in parallel. is no need for new electricity-generation capacity in the near future. Utility companies have had the time to plan ahead. However, the situation is country-specific. For example, in northern Europe, the evolution is more effortless because of the strong power grids and electric heating already in place. In other areas of Europe, the evolution is a bit more difficult due to the one-phase energy systems and older structures. But this is being adddressed at speed.In fact there is an ‘unexpected’ twist to this answer as electric vehicles can provide a vital source of flexibility in the energy system. Rather than being a threat to grid stability or capacity, EVs act as big batteries on wheels. They make it possible for energy to be stored and used at a later time. In the next few years, we will have a pool of EV chargers utilised as aggregated reserves.
Do EVs drive in the cold?
Cold weather can indeed temporarily reduce EV battery range by about 10-12%. But nowadays, most EVs have a reach of 250-300 km anyway. Easily enough for a daily commute. And thanks to their design, they are far more efficient than people think in winter. They perform arguably better in snow than conventional cars due to the low position of the battery and resulting lower centre of gravity.
This boosts an EV’s traction and its ability to handle snowy and icy conditions. This gives you greater control. What’s more, you can preheat your EV via the MINI App and always get into a warm, cosy cockpit without any iced-up windows to deal with. And if you preheat while charging, you won’t lose any energy at all. Which is good for you and road safety
Does the MINI Electric have enough range for my journeys?
When it comes to range, the MINI Electric has up to 234 km (WLTP). That’s more than enough for most trips you can imagine. It’s just a question of thinking how much range you use, and where you use it.
What happens if my destination is outside of the electric range?
If your navigation destination is outside of the electric range, don't worry, as a charging option is usually now automatically added to your route or alternatively you get suggestions for relevant charging stops. Though the availability can vary depending on the model and equipment.
What factors affect the high-voltage battery of my MINI Electric?
One important external factor influencing the performance and capacity of a battery is the temperature. As you probably know from your mobile phone battery, the performance is restricted in cold and hot temperatures. In your vehicle, however, this temperature influence is largely minimised by means of optimised operating strategies. And did you know that the capacity also yields information on the range you may have? Apart from temperature, other influential factors are devices in use, such as the air conditioning, the load carried – and your driving style.
Can I drive and charge an EV in the rain?
EVs are safe to drive in the rain and snow and can even be taken through traditional car washes. Similarly, EV chargers and cables are waterproof, and charging sockets are protected against water damage.
How does my driving style affect the range of my MINI Electric?
As is the case for a vehicle with a conventional propulsion system, driving style also affects the range in an electric car. As a general rule, an anticipatory, relaxed and uniform style of driving optimises your range. If, for example, you reduce your speed on the motorway from 130 km/h to 110 km/h, you can noticeably increase your range. During recuperation, that means whenever you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the battery – and as a result you gain further kilometres in range.
What are the optimal battery charge levels for my MINI Electric?
It’s best to maintain a charge of between 20 and 80 per cent. Lower or higher levels are possible, but to optimise the life of your battery, it is recommended to stay between these marks. In your vehicle’s menu, you can easily and conveniently set your target charge to 80 per cent, so you’ll never have to worry about it. This should cover all your daily driving needs. If you actually need more, simply set a higher target.
EXPLORE EVERY ELECTRIFYING DETAIL.
THE BEST OF BOTH ENERGY WORLDS – ON ROAD AND OFF ROAD.
