Today marked the launch of a forward-looking pilot project in Munich, Germany, as 15 electric MINI E cars were handed over to trial participants and a dual electric filling station was commissioned in the courtyard of the Deutsches Museum. The BMW Group and power utility E.ON have designed this undertaking to jointly spur the continued development of electric mobility. The BMW Group is providing the energy company with 15 MINI E electric cars. E.ON has built a network of charging stations throughout the Munich metropolitan area, which will supply the vehicles with electricity, preferably from renewable sources.

The MINI E is powered by a 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor, producing a peak torque of 220 Newton meters. It is fed by a modern lithium-ion battery designed specifically for automotive use, giving the MINI E a maximum range of 250 kilometers. In addition to the charging stations on Museum Island, the drivers can avail themselves of another 13 electric filling stations in Munich. The capital of Bavaria will thus witness its first-ever infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Starting Shot for Zero-Emissions Mobility

“Today, we are firing the starting shot for emission-free mobility on Munich’s roads,” declared Dr. Klaus Draeger, Executive Vice-President Research and Development at BMW AG, at a press conference on Museum Island. “A total of 15 MINI Es will be provided for the purpose of a field trial in Munich. In the months ahead, more than 600 customers will be able to amass experience with the MINI E in normal daily conditions the world over. These findings will be factored into series projects conducted by the BMW Group. However, we can only help these technologies achieve a breakthrough if we work in concert with our partners. Climate protection is another one of our joint tasks.”

Klaus-Dieter Maubach, President and CEO of E.ON Energie AG, emphasized that “Electric mobility will revolutionize both road traffic as well as the energy industry. Our power production generates less and less carbon dioxide, making it a key technology for protecting the climate in the transportation sector over the long term. At the same time, electric vehicles will spur the development of intelligent networks.” Prof. Maubach added that choosing the Bavarian state capital city of Munich as a model region for electric mobility would open up further prospects. “It will afford us the opportunity to enlarge the footprint of our approach and to make inroads in the field of electric mobility with additional partners,” Maubach added.

Over 600 MINI Es in Motion Worldwide

The BMW Group has already manufactured more than 600 MINI Es, which are being used in several field trials. This pilot project will deliver valuable insight for the development of a mass-produced electrically powered vehicle and the creation of a charging infrastructure. Following the MINI E’s successful start in the USA, the electric MINIs are now on Germany’s streets, in both Munich and Berlin. Furthermore, a fleet trial has been planned for the UK. The objective of the 12-month Munich project is to identify the demands placed on the car and supply infrastructure as accurately as possible.

The widespread use of all-electric vehicles will open the door to huge opportunities to reconcile the need for personal mobility with the challenges of climate protection. The charging stations set up in Munich are primarily being supplied with electricity generated by E.ON in hydroelectric power plants. This allows for the MINI E to be supplied with nearly CO₂-free energy both en route and at the filling station.