Cooper E 230

Happy New Year, everyone!

2012-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

Well, we are beginning the new year waiting for the issue of our VIN number for the ACTIVE E!

COOPER E 230 will be returning to BMW for more future experiences somewhere else in the world and I am excited to watch his progress as he brings as much joy to someone else's life as he has mine.

The MINI E we have driven for the past two and a half years, more than 30,000 trouble free miles, is being swapped soon for the all new, next generation, ACTIVE E, a One Series BMW platform for the all new Electric drivetrain developed by BMW for the upcoming i3 series concept car which will enter production sometime around 2014. Carbon Fibre production facilities are being built now in Washington State (U.S.), production lines are being prepared in Germany, the i3 will be a game changer when it hits the road in 2014 and I am looking forward to it.

All signed up, VIN number next, then the car will be shipped to our dealer CREVIER BMW in Santa Ana, and the SWITCH is on. AERO-VIRONMENT will switch out our chargers the day we do the trade, SO stay tuned for updates as I will be posting more often about the new drivetrain as we test the future of All Electric Driving.

Reasons why I don't want to buy another Gasoline powered car.

2011-12-20T06:45:00.000-08:00

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/12/60-freeway-closes.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/phoenix-diesel-tanker-fire_n_1084210.html

and hundreds more, everyday,

After all

the

whole

point

Gasoline

that

Supposed

EXPLODE!

http://www.smdp.com/Articles-c-2011-10-10-72726.113116-Plugging-in-is-better.html

2011-10-10T18:16:00.001-07:00

Peder Norby's fine Post!

2011-10-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

Wow, all I can say is I wish I had written this!

Succinctly put, Peder has done some fine research to answer the Questions most often asked, "What about the Energy to produce the electricity you use to charge your Electric Car? ....and.... Smokestack versus Tailpipe emissions"

click on the link to see the research:

http://electricmini.blogspot.com/2011/10/it-takes-lot-of-coal-to-make-gasoline.html

Thank you Peder, see you at the next meet up!

November will be here soon.

2011-09-14T11:40:00.000-07:00

November, the END of my Mini E Lease and the beginning of the next stage of this ALL ELECTRIC driving experience.

Nearly two and a half years ago I was privileged to be selected to be a part of the BMW Experimental Electric Car Research program and allowed to participate by daily driving their MINI E. I will always be thankful to BMW for stepping out and initiating this program, they were the 'Pioneers', they stepped up to the plate and took the Mini and converted it with then 'state of the art' tech and actually put more than 500 of them on the road for real world, every day testing.

Now with more than 25000 miles of wonderful, trouble free, All Electric driving on mine, I am coming to the realization that the end is near, November almost here and I will have to decide to continue with the BMW Active E lease (next phase) or purchase one of the many new choices that didn't exist when I started driving the Mini E more than two years ago.

I'm in the process of analyzing what is available, the numbers, what makes sense, what doesn't - and why.

It's not easy.

I love the Mini so much, I hate to see it go.
It has proven perfect for my daily use, I could be happy just keeping it.

But I understand, I knew, that it was temporary, there would be an end, it's OK I'm really excited to see and experience what's next.

Not really wanting to be a Guinea Pig at my own expense, I think the lease is probably the way to go to continue to avoid the minor problems any new technology will naturally experience, also smooth out the learning curve of technological advancement and avoid the pits that are going to naturally occur.

Think I'll let the Tech mature a little before committing my hard earned dollars, and keep leasing, happily doing this to reduce trips to gasoline stations,
really don't want to return to consuming that toxic fuel.

So bring on the Electrics, give me proven reliability, give me choices, I'm ready for ownership.

What could be more fun?

2011-06-29T09:23:00.000-07:00

Got a chance to take the Mini E Racing this past weekend!

My utilitarian, 'car of choice', daily driver, actually got invited to race with other Electric cars on the track at Laguna Seca, California, the one with the infamous 'Corkscrew' turn.

With 24,000 miles now after two years of All Electric driving almost everyday and with 5 months to go on our lease extension before we have to give up COOPER E 230, we decided to go for it and enjoy the capabilities of this wonderful little car.

My son Jamie and I loaded the MINI E into our car trailer and hitched up to the F250 Diesel, towed the 400 miles to Laguna Seca, near Monterey California, and spent the weekend racing on the track.

Best weekend ever!

Charging in the paddock with Leafs, Teslas, Volt and a bunch of converted Porsches, a Fiero, etc.

A line up of Teslas.

Kleen Speeds purpose built race car, runs in the high 100's.

My son Jamie driving the Mini E 230 in the famous 'Corkscrew'!

End result is we surprised everyone and ourselves with decent times, beat one of the Teslas by 2 seconds and learned a lot about driving the track at Laguna Seca!

http://www.examiner.com/green-transportation-in-national/refuel-brings-tesla-s-and-more-to-laguna-seca-for-3rd-year-of-electric-racing?fb_comment=34801311

Yes, this Electric Car experience has been truly one of the most fun experiences I've had!

Is anybody out there?

2011-03-06T18:08:00.000-08:00

Probably no one reads this anymore, only 11 followers, don't know how many happen on it by accident, only a very few even bother to comment. I know I haven't been really regular with my comments I guess I just don't want to waste anyones time with meaningless rambles.

I started this because I was extremely excited to be taking part in what I think is the Future of personal transportation.

Electricity!

Clean, efficient, responsible, easily renewable, readily available Electric Power.

I love automobiles! I am an Industrial Designer, I design and build Motion Picture Sets and Props.
Relatively well known for Special Effects miniature work on many major science fiction future thought projects, I've designed and built many things wind, pedal, gravity and engine powered (gasoline, steam, battery electric) as well as participated in the design of future Space travel.

The MINI E has proven to me we are ready for Battery Electric Automobiles.

The Active E, Nissan Leaf, Tesla roadster and Model S are the most exciting things to happen to transportation design in a 100 years.

They are actually reaching the marketplace. 100 years ago Battery Electrics were in competition with gasoline for the domination of transportation as a replacement for the difficult to maintain, unpredictable, underpowered, short range, polluting Horse.

Battery technology didn't progress as rapidly as the easier to produce and procure petrochemicals so oil won out and became the fuel of choice. As the Infrastructure filled in and gasoline stations replaced Livery Stables, the world rapidly and radically changed.

We now possess the Battery technology we didn't have 100 years ago, our Finite Fossil fuels are depleted, It's time for another radical change in the way we think about doing things.

If you are in the market for a new commuter vehicle, Please,
Go test drive a Volt, Leaf, or at least a Hybrid and by the end of this year there will be even more choices Ford Focus, etc, etc.

pluginamerica.org

Please consider a battery Electric or Hybrid vehicle and include it in your future plans, we can't afford not to!

Sure like the way my Electric Car smells!

2011-02-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

Now the detractors like to say that it takes energy to make the Electricity you are using to charge your car and that energy has to be made somehow. For some reason they always equate making energy with burning oil.

Electricity CAN BE and IS made any number of ways.
Wind, Solar - Photovoltaics, Geothermal, Hydrologically and many more.
Storage is now accomplished better than ever before and improving all the time.

NEWS FLASH: We don't have to burn Finite Fossil fuels to produce electricity.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist or genius to figure that out.

I simply like the way my garage smells when I start up my Electric Car,
when I drive past joggers and bicyclists they smile,
Silently gliding on Electric power is a pleasure you will miss out on until you make the decision to
hang up the Gas nozzle and don't go there ever again.

I still go to the gas station occasionally to fill up my Diesel Truck and my 'other' Antique Dinosaur car BUT My Primary Use Vehicle is Electric and will be from now till forever!

Projects!

2011-02-17T10:10:00.000-08:00

I have considered the Electric Mini E as a project I have taken on to help demonstrate the 'Viability' of the All Electric Car in Every Day use.

I have many 'Projects' (because I am a 3 Dimensional person) not necessarily all compatible in Philosophy.

A long term Project, begun when my brother acquired the car in 1963, is the total restoration of a 1956 Ford Thunderbird!

Stored by my brother in a Barn in Petaluma California since the 1980's, I was given the rolling carcass, accompanied by a multitude of parts in boxes and milk crates, in 2004. My sons and I drove my F250 Diesel North and with a rented flatbed trailer brought the Bird pieces home.

What a fun project for a father and his mid twenties sons!

Tearing down, stripping paint, removing the Motor for complete engine rebuild, familiarizing with parts in boxes, locating resources, we found that there were only 14 Bolts holding the body to the frame! A friend in Costa Mesa had a body 'Rotator' so we moved the car to his shop and pulled the body off the frame.

Complete rebuild of suspension and undercarriage as without the body it's relatively easy to run new (stainless steel) gas lines, brake lines, etc.

Adding Disc brakes to help stop the brute force produced by the Hot Rodded 292!

The car had been Hot Rodded in 1959, so we restored it as a piece of history,

A California Hot Rod circa 1959-60.

After 5 years of off and on effort, lots of cash, the car is now finished, a perfect 1956 Ford Thunderbird: California Hot Rod.

OK, now that it's done, I love driving it!

But, who can afford to drive it?

Not Me!

In the first 200 miles, I filled the tank 3 times, 45 gallons!

A little more than 4 miles per gallon!

This car is the reason Electric Cars make sense! Electric car detractors like to talk about range anxiety!

RANGE ANXIETY! I get over 100 miles out of a tank on my Electric Car and less than 80 in the Bird!

I plug in at night while I sleep (something everyone has to do) and my Electric car is full in the morning.

The Bird, I have to find a Chevron station, as it won't even run on Arco or anything with gasohol in it.

By the way I've always hated Gassing up in Gas stations!

In 16 months I have driven 21,000 miles on Electricity, saved thousands of dollars in fuel not bought,

I have experienced the past and I have seen the future!

You ask why? Why did I even bother to restore the Bird?

It IS a piece of history, it's gorgeous to look at, to drive, to ride in, it is a rolling, living, Work of ART.

The worst part of this is the way my garage now smells!

Electric Cars and Rain.

2010-12-29T11:16:00.001-08:00

Just got back from a long drive in pouring rain in my ALL Electric Mini E.

Some people have some objection to this, I've had NO problems or fears of driving in the rain.

The Car still performs flawlessly rain or shine!

There are SO many little reasons people give for not trying an Electric car but it is my experience that the moment you get in and try one those dissipate and you are overwhelmed with the freedom of driving on pollution free, efficient, inexpensive and readily available Electricity!

Out in the early morning on a full charge, after an hour of driving errands I pull into the garage, plug in and sip cheep electricity (as it is still off peak until noon) refilling while I take care of home business then unplug my car at noon and with a full battery continue on with the day. This packs many more than the 120 miles I normally get on a full battery.

Many more miles than I can possibly use in a normal day.

Need to occasionally go much further than 120 miles, I use my other car (or rent one)!

Thats how I roll!

December, the end of TwentyTen!

2010-12-22T21:55:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm back from Hungary.

It took a little longer than expected, you see Angelina Jolie decided to shoot her movie in the same castle we were using and she bumped us from October to November which put us into a different weather pattern and made shooting even colder and if-ier.

We lucked out though and had unusually great weather for November and finished in 30 days of shooting.

We had Russian VOLGA's, LADA's, belching gas and diesel fumes, all manor of vehicles supporting us.

I didn't touch a steering wheel for two months though and was driven or walked everywhere I needed to go.

Returning home I couldn't wait to see COOPER E and jump in for a drive!

I feel like I need to air the fumes of Eastern Europe out of my chest, it's amazing how much cleaner the air really is in California!

It seems the rollout of the New Electric Cars is picking at an amazing pace, just since I've been gone the Leaf has hit the road, so to the Chevy Volt (friends got theirs) Think City and more, it's really exciting, people will soon learn the fun and freedom of driving pollution free electric vehicles not tied to War Oil.

Well, Happy Holidays and Happy New Electric Year 2011, I'm back and will try to catch up on E-News.

Read This about Lithium Ion and Batteries!

2010-09-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

I get a lot of questions about "Lithium Batteries, environmental effect, short supply, recycling, etc etc, Read the following link for a more informed view of where it's coming from, how much there is and how recyclable it is.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/08/life-cycle-analysis-lithium-ion-batteries-electric-cars.php?campaign=weekly_nl

Might have to leave the Mini E behind!

2010-09-03T18:51:00.000-07:00

I've got a gig in Hungary for the month of October.
It's GOOD to have work - but NOT good to have to leave my little Electric car here!

A friend (a Writer) has asked me to Art Direct his movie, we will be shooting in a wonderful French Renaissance mansion, built in 1883 on a large wooded property about 40 km from Budapest.
Needless to say the property has been through a lot in the political turmoils of the last century and has picked up a wonderful patina of age and neglect that is perfect for this film.
The Manse will act as our scripts 'Castle' and provide the ambiance for the 'Vampire' story he has written.
Shooting the whole month of October and into the first weeks of November, we are hoping for some snow to enhance the final scenes.

I'll be examining what's happening in Hungary on the 'electric vehicle' front and will report if I find anything of interest.

My wife and son will have to put some miles on lil' Cooper E for me while I'm gone.

Meanwhile, Cooper E is performing perfectly, I just couldn't be happier, it IS the perfect run around, commute, go here, go there, short hops and longer vehicle for me!

Go try one (an Electric Car or Hybrid), give it some thought, keep a record of your daily mileage and you might be surprised how easily your commute or the majority of your running around fits within 100-120 miles.

Think about this - when day is done, you simply plug-in and charge while you sleep, on cheap off peak electricity, when you awake, your tank is full, you've spent less than $3 for electricity, unplug and go do stuff!

My tank (battery) is simply always FULL!

See you in November,
(if the movie turns out good I may tell you it's name, otherwise...well, see ya).

Gone Racing!

2010-08-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

My sons and I were invited to participate in the Monterrey Historic Car Races (now sponsored by Rolex) at Laguna Seca this year. The only catch - my youngest son wanted to go see his favorite band (Gogol Bordello) perfom in San Francisco at Golden Gate Park on Saturday.

Not wanting to drive the extra 4 hours to drop him there and pick him up later, primarily not wanting to miss any of the 18 races per day Sat and Sun, I concluded that since we 'have the equipment' we would load the Electric Mini E in our car trailer, tow it to Monterrey, drop the trailer at our Hotel and son #2 would drive the F250 to San Fran and see his band play.

Son #1 and I then had two wonderful days of driving our Electric Mini E among some of the Rarest, most expensive, even Priceless Historic Racing Cars in the world.

There were 3 Bugatti Veyrons (most expensive and fastest production car in the world) there and we were the Only Mini E. We generated some interest even though everyone was there for the gasoline explosions while racing these rare cars.

The Massive 1917 Hall Scott factory racing car, 4 cylinders, 10 litres!

Each cylinder is 2.5 litres.

They fired it up for a qualifying race and blew the valve in number 2 cylinder, right out through the head!

I offered condolences and they chuckled and said "oh we have a spare engine."

This is one of the two cars we were there to support,

an ARGO.

600 horse power, 1300 pounds.

The other car,

1981 Lotus Factory F1.

Both cars are owned and driven by my friend Jeff,who invited us to crew for him at the races.

We put 100 miles on the Mini E traveling each day from Monterey and Salinas to the track and back.

Sunday morning Son #2 returned with the truck and enjoyed a day of racing with us.

Sunday night we packed up the Mini E with about 8 miles left on the ODO, hitched up the trailer and headed for the 7 hour drive home,

what a great weekend!

Moving into August

2010-07-31T09:49:00.000-07:00

Nothing new to report, just thought I would let you know I am still here and loving the Electric Life!

I am constantly amused at the comments made by those just discovering the fact that the Electric Car is Here! Comments like:
• "Oh' it's a commuter,
•.... what if I want to go to Las Vegas?,
•.....It's a Novelty,
•......only a 100 miles, what do I do if I run out of charge?

All of these comments/questions are so simple to answer it doesn't make any sense to even respond, it just shows how little thought is given to the possibility that this change could actually happen and be beneficial to all.

• Yes, it's a commuter, I put over 15,000 miles on mine in one year!
• Want to go to Las Vegas? Rent a car or even faster, fly.
• Sure it's a Novelty but only for the moment, soon there will be thousands of them driving, silently, cleanly, swiftly on all our highways.
• If you run out of charge, merely Plug it In, go to sleep, go have dinner, enjoy a sunset, visit with friends, Do Something while your car charges for a couple hours, then drive home (Hopefully you are driving somewhere to actually Do something).

The POINT IS you charge your batteries while you are doing something outside the car!

One of the silliest is "So your car is Electric, the Electricity has to come from a Powerplant that is producing pollutants" The answer to that is that it is much easier to control emissions at the smokestack than at the tailpipe, besides, here in California, much of our power is generated in cleaner ways, Solar, Wind, Nuclear, and steam.

An Electric car is responsible for a minutia of the pollution a Gasoline powered auto produces.

The most important use of my Electric car is all the little short trips/errands (15,000 miles last year) that go into the makeup of everyday life!

Think about it, investigate, there are now coming available many choices,
• Tesla
• Think City
• Smart
• Nissan Leaf
• Chevy Volt
• http://www.pluginamerica.org/vehicles

I love my MINI E, I only wish I could buy it!

TOTAL COST for the Year May 31, 2009 to May 31, 2010!

2010-06-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

Just some rough Math to round out the cost of driving this Electric Car.

My total mileage for the year came in at 14,000 miles on May 31, 2010.
I was a few miles short so drove around the block some to make it exactly 14,000.

Divide 14,000 miles by the cost of the Lease at $927.50 (incl Tax) for eleven months
( I was given one month free in the beginning).
Total Cost of lease - an Expensive $10,202.50 for eleven months (those who adopt early pay the price)
Total cost of Electricity (Energy) - TOU off peak - an INexpensive $540 for the 12 months.
Insurance (the part not covered by BMW) $286 for the 12 months.

Total cost of operation (based on 14,000 miles of use),
Lease, Tax, License, Electricity and Insurance = less than 79 cents per mile!
Total cost of Energy (alone) = less than .03 cents per mile!

It is the most expensive CAR PAYMENT I have ever had.
However, it is the CHEAPEST CAR (and most fun) TO OPERATE I have ever driven.

Looking Forward!

2010-06-03T08:33:00.000-07:00

Well, the year has ended, 14,000 Total miles of pollution free Electric driving has proven to me that this system really works and is completely viable for everyday use, even in the 'Urban Sprawl' of a place like Los Angeles and Orange Counties California!

Yes, the freeway acts to both Reduce and Extend range (depending on time of day you choose to use it)
Yes, it's cool to use the HOV lane in a ZEV (Zero Emissions Vehicle) while riding alone
(however only on short runs as high speed does swallow range!)
and
Yes you have to THINK about your route, range, available chargers, speed, drafting,
but that's REALLY FUN for me, those things, coupled with the outstanding Performance and Handling, takes the boredom out of a drive that has become, well, boring!

So, BMW has asked if I would like to stay on and I answered with a resounding YES!

I'll be continuing to drive this wonderful little car for another year, till May 2011!

I'll also be watching the developments as other Electric Cars roll out on the market, eagerly watching performance and range figures and realities,
it's a great innovative time we live in!

Here's to - looking forward!

Did I ever tell you how much I like driving an EV?

2010-05-23T09:29:00.001-07:00

14,000 miles in Eleven months!
An average of 44 miles per day, every day!

Sure there have been a few 150 and 200 mile days,
and a few days when the car never left the garage,
PROOF that, even in Los Angeles, California, the 100 - 120 mile range is totally
adequate for daily run around and commute,
(for me and I would bet, in reality, millions of other people who currently don't think a BEV is for them).

Sure, I do own another car (Diesel), it's a truck, which I need for pulling heavy things, but the BULK of my transportation needs are more than adequately covered in my 100 (120) mile 'Range' of Clean, Quiet, Smooth, High Performance, Exciting ALL ELECTRIC powered MINI E!

When I have to, or want to, travel outside the range of my MINI E
I have the option of using my truck (which is very comfortable)
for long trips.

There are four drivers in my family and four vehicles, one of them is Electric.
Which one do you think gets driven most? (because it's more fun to drive)
Which one sat so long it's batteries went dead? (Hint: Diesels have 2 batteries)

The ACTIVE E is coming!

2010-05-19T08:54:00.001-07:00

http://wardsauto.com/ar/mini_bmw_ev_100519

MINI E Meetup at AC Propulsion.

2010-05-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Fourteen cars!

Got together today at AC Propulsion in San Dimas, California, the Company that produced the Motor, Battery and Electronic controllers for our BMW converted MINI E's.

A very interesting tour of the facility, looking inside the components of the car (that are sealed in ours) a chance to satisfy some of the curiosity of what's in that gold box under the hood and what's really occupying the back seat!

http://www.acpropulsion.com

Tom Gage, CEO of AC Propulsion, shows the Dyno test stand where Motor Armatures are tested.

Afterwards we got together at a Red Robin Restaurant for some food and friendship, Nice People, Nice Day!

DINOSAUR

2010-04-25T10:29:00.000-07:00

AND MY BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) IS EVEN MORE FUN TO DRIVE - WITHOUT ALL THAT COMPLEXITY AND POLLUTION!

Moving Parts.

2010-04-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

At one time or another
in my 67 years of life
I have experienced the
FAILURE OR necessary REPLACEMENT
of at least one (and more) of these
CRITICAL parts of automobiles I have driven:

Spark Plugs
Coil
Starter Motor
Solenoid
Thermostat
Radiator
Coolant, Anti Freeze
Hoses
Fan
Fan Belt
Oil

Carburetor(s)
Manifold Gasket(s)
Lifters
Valves
Pistons
Piston Rings
Freeze out Plugs
Crank
Cam(s)
Rod(s)
Fuel Pump
Fuel
and More!

NONE
of these parts
EXIST
in my 13,000 miles
of travel spanning these 11 months.

BATTERY
ELECTRIC
VEHICLE!

Another year, still working on that Carbon Footprint!

2010-04-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm in the process of signing up for another year of test driving the MINI E!

It's just too much fun to drive and the clean, guilt free, feeling I get when running my little errands, 40, 80 and 100 miles a day, is just too good to give up and return to driving a fossil fuel powered vehicle!

My Diesel truck is wonderful for those long runs, hauling things and it will last twice as long now that I am putting upwards of 15,000 miles a year on the Electric MINI E and NOT on the truck!

I REALLY HOPE manufacturers will recognize the need for and find ways to economically build Battery Electric Powered Vehicles for the mainstream buyer!

Shoulda taken the Horse and Buggy!

2010-03-23T21:18:00.000-07:00

At the turn of the last Century you had to make the choice between the tried and true, reliable Horse and buggy or try the New unreliable Gasoline automobile.

Gasoline was hard to find, grass was everywhere.

Many people were nervous about the ability of the Gas powered car to go very far beyond town limits,

they had

Range Anxiety!

Think about it

2010-03-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

Well, lots of talk about what to do now that we have our new Lease offers from BMW, I'm thinking it over for a while before I decide to continue.

It's the general thought, among those of us driving the all Electric MINI E, that there will soon be purchase options and it doesn't make much sense to continue 'renting' (leasing) at such an expensive rate when that money can be applied to, or saved for, the purchase of a New Electric Vehicle. I might stick around for a chance at the ACIVE E but I have always preferred to OWN my cars, drive them many years and am looking forward to doing that in a BEV.

Having driven more than 11,000 miles since May 2009, I KNOW that the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is COMPLETELY VIABLE in my daily life (even at a 100 mile range limit) and I feel it is time to incorporate one into the Rest of my life!

90 percent of ALL my driving has been accomplished within this much talked about 100 mile range, other trips, longer out of town, towing, hauling are accomplished with my 2003 F-250 Diesel Truck which gets great mileage for a vehicle of it's size and weight on the road (26 mpg).

This next week, I will be working a Movie set 51 miles from home. The F-250 will be driven to set by my son as he does errands on the way in to town.
I will drive the MINI E.
We'll park the truck in a secure lot for the week and commute together in the MINI E round trip 102 miles each day, Friday Ian will do returns of rental props etc, with the F-250 Truck, I will drive home in the MINI E and meet him there.

This Weeks total mileage:
158 miles on Diesel fuel @16 mpg city, (not so clean!)
Diesel cost = $29 for one day.

510 miles (plus) on Electricity @ .03 cents per mile, Clean!
(saving the equivalent of $96. worth of Diesel fuel)

Electricity cost = $15.30 for 5 days!

Saving money and the added joy of driving CLEAN!

Now THAT feels good!

Lease Extension News!

2010-03-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

News is forthcoming (hopefully in a week or two) about whether or not our time with the All Electric MINI E will be extended.

Received the email today that says look for news soon, the Good News will be a year long extension, the Bad would be having to give the car up in May 2010. I am eagerly awaiting the news as I have proven that the car works absolutely perfectly for my daily driving situation! Having driven 11,000 miles in 8 months, to every little part of Los Angeles and Orange Counties here in Southern California.

Yesterday, for example, I drove from Newport Beach to the Venice boardwalk to visit an artist friend at his studio. Venice is about as far as you can drive in one direction from Newport, 51.7 miles, 103.4 round trip. My friend and I talked for about an hour then went to lunch then back to the Studio and, after 3 hours, I left for home. By the way 3 hours is more than enough time to charge to full capacity from a dead battery if i had a charger available but my meter said I still had more than 50% left so no charge was necessary to get back home.

Returning home, I merely watched my speed, kept well within legal speed limits and arrived home with 15% battery left after 103.4 miles, more than adequate surplus power to even take a few short trips to market, the beach etc., before putting myself and the car to bed for the night and plugging in at my garge charge point.

I've been reading, on the internet, comments people make about Electric Cars, range, anxiety, battery electric not for them, etc., and can't help but think what they will be missing out on by not even considering trying such a wonderful way of getting around.

11,000 miles translates to Tons of pollutants that would have been added to the atmosphere we breathe had I driven my Diesel truck for the last 8 months,
that does make a difference!

I really DO HOPE to continue with the BMW/MINI E program, if not, I will certainly find another way to supplement my traveling around with an Electrically driven vehicle because they are SO LOGICAL!

BMW to make Electric Cars! 2013!

2010-02-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100222/CARNEWS/100229985

EV Fun!

2010-02-08T18:03:00.000-08:00

http://www.plasmaboyracing.com

Trying to tell me something?

2010-02-02T13:24:00.000-08:00

Tried to start my Ford Diesel F250 truck that has been been sitting since I got the MINI E,

Both Batteries were dead!

Went to the Parts Store, bought and installed new batteries.

Started the truck to test it and looked at the odometer -

this is what I saw -

Do you think it had anything to do with the batteries being dead?
Or do you think someone is mad at me for not buying HIS fuel?

One foot in the Future, one in the Past!

2010-01-30T19:26:00.000-08:00

I must admit I love this stuff!

Today I went to the Grand National Roadster Show at the Pomona Fairplex, drove my Electric MINI E, (asked at the gate if they had parking for Electric cars, the attendant laughed, said NO) parked outside the NHRA Museum. Entering through the Museum, I passed the dry lake "Challenger" record holder etc etc, and all the famous racing, drag racing and Lakester cars of my youth (the 50's).

The Grand National Roadster Show is an event that has been running annually (originally in Oakland California) for 61 years or since I was 6 years old. I've been to a few over the years.
Today there were more than 800 absolutely beautiful, privately owned and restored cars, gassers mostly, a few steamers.

The finishes and materials, creativity, time and effort that goes into these labors of love are simply astounding.

You see, I also have this affliction in that my 'other' project
(begun years before I came to the realization that Electricity IS the immediate solution to one of the planets many problems) is the ground up restoration of one of those Hot Rods.
I came today to find parts and some input as I am nearly finished with what has proven to be a nearly five year project.
My 54 year old Hot Rod will be one of those labors of love, a work of art in metal, unfortunately powered by gasoline but intended only for weekend fun outings, the Electric Car serving very well as my Daily Driver and actually just as much fun to drive!

The Gasser has been relegated to it's rightful place, a functioning sculptural piece of great beauty, to be admired and driven only on a few special occasions.

It felt really good that I had driven the 40 miles each way, 80 mile round trip, on about 30 KWH of Electricity at a cost of about .07 cents a KWH ($2.10 total, less than the cost of a gallon of gas) to view a mind boggling display of absolutely beautiful metal sculptures and mechanical ingenuity from a soon to be bygone era!

My project isn't quite ready to reveal just yet, so I'll put a few other pics from todays show here for your enjoyment.

Make this one Electric it would be cool!

It's a Cadillac!

Boyd Coddington's 1939 Lincoln.

Won't it be cool when people discover the fun of driving an Electric Car and they have been around long enough for the backyard metalsmith to get hold of them and begin to work their magic and turn the Electric Car into a Powerful thing of Beauty.

Today, I saw a lot of "Circle/Slash Green" symbols, I don't know why, It's all about fun, appreciation and celebration of the creativity and ingenuity it takes to create these things and ultimately, I think, enjoying the drive, what's wrong with doing it in a "Green" way?

That's it for todays foot in the past, movin on!

Close Encounter with the CHP.

2010-01-27T15:14:00.000-08:00

Driving the 5 freeway toward LA, using my Car Pool Stickers, I fly past a CHP (California Highway Patrol) cruiser parked behind an overpass pylon. I look in the rearview mirror and sure enough he lights up like a christmas tree and runs me down. I pull to the side of the narrow lane as carpool lane cars zip past at high speed.

He cautiously approaches the off road side and as I roll down the window, the officer asks "what happened?"
I return a questioning look and he says "You are in a Carpool lane!" I say "yah" "I'm driving an Electric Car!" He responds "Electric?" as he notices the 'E' logo on the dash and brushes it with his hand.

(Of course, in his rush to boost his quota with another expensive ticket, he hadn't noticed the no less than 3 White ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) stickers and the Chrome plated word 'ELECTRIC' under the rear license plate.

The officer then proceeds to walk around the front of the car, returning, says "you have no stickers!"
I point at the REAR of the car where there are 3 and he looks, then says "oh, you only have one, by the way that front license plate is illegal!" (He was talking about my 'Euro GB plate' which is a legal plate because it says the same thing my official California plate says.)

He handed me back my license, wrote something in his little notebook, smiled and said "Have a nice day!"

I wonder when they will inform the Officers in the cruisers about the MINI E?

COOPER E 230 to the rescue!

2010-01-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Got a phone call from my wife at the Bank parking lot and she says "Guess what, my battery is dead!"

Since my truck was unavailable and on a run to San Diego with my son, I searched the garage for my spare set of jumper cables, found them and took a look under the hood of the MINI E to find the auxiliary battery that runs the onboard stuff is a healthy 12volts 70 amps.

Told her not to worry, don't call AAA and jumped in the MINI E with a set of jumper cables and went to the rescue.

I love this car!

This is what we are doing this for!

2010-01-12T10:34:00.000-08:00

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/11/detroit-2010-bmw-activee-concept-is-all-charged-up-and-ready-to

Yet another 'Focus' Group

2010-01-11T11:42:00.000-08:00

Focused for 3 hours sunday with about 10 other Electric car drivers, answering questions about the Electric Car driving experience. I hope what was said helped enlighten those asking the questions.

I have No Idea who the Company was BUT for ME
It was very helpful to hear 9 other unrelated people who are having as
100% positive an experience as I.
These were RAV 4 drivers (2) who have had their cars 7 years and have a LOT of experience,
Tesla drivers (2) who were right there in the beginning,
the balance (6) were Mini E's.
One had both a Rav 4 and a Mini E (and a GEM).

The moderator asked many questions re: operation, range, capacity, style, price, etc, etc. The most interesting for ME (and I think the moderator) was the enthusiasm and 100% positive nature of all of our experiences with our All Electric cars.

Try one, you'll like it!

Another good read on MYTHS

2010-01-11T11:23:00.000-08:00

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/myths-electic-cars-vehicles.html

Read this, even if you don't finish it you will be enlightened!

2010-01-11T10:06:00.000-08:00

http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/the-hydrogen-hoax

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-04T09:39:00.000-08:00

It's been a busy Holiday season!

We've had the pleasure of 'Baby sitting' my friends Mini E #136 while he is enjoying a family vacation in Hawaii.

It's been really fun having Two Mini E's in the family, the charger has been busy.

I am looking forward with much excitement to the new year and what Electric and Hybrid vehicles will do toward transforming our transportation choices!

We've just completed another of the Mini reporting events, detailed charting of the daily use of our car for one week.
Not a typical day for us but one that happens too often is: I wake up at around 7am, unplug the car and have breakfast. Start my day and drive anywhere from 30 to 80 miles in my various daily errands finishing by plugging in after 9pm and heading for bed. My son Jamie (who's body clock is opposite of mine and stays up all night) unplugs with a full tank at midnight, adds another 40 or so miles and replugs at 3 or so in the am. Later that morning I unplug, have breakfast and am on my way with yet again a full tank for another day.

The tank is always full!

Our electric bills average about $50 a month, far less than filling two gasoline tanks every other week!

Our average 'fuel' expense is about .03 cents per mile and less when we charge on a public charger.

My wonderful (now low mileage) 2003 Ford F250 Diesel has burned no more than 70 gallons of fuel in 7 months, (those were to tow things I couldn't with the Mini) normally I would have done that much fuel ($200) in two weeks running my errands, I had to charge the trucks batteries to start it.

8500 miles on COOPER E 230 and mounting, I'll return #136 this weekend to it's home and Jamie and I will be back to our routine Day shift/Night shift.

If you are not looking forward to Electric Cars I feel sorry for you, you'll be missing something really cool!

YES! BMW announces the ACTIVE E!

2009-12-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't written anything for a while as I've been just enjoying driving the MINI E!

I marvel at what a great thing it is every time I drive it, anywhere!

Between my son and I, we've averaged about 160 miles a day this last week, the only rest the car is getting is at the charger.

We are anxiously waiting more news about the new BMW 1 series Electric car which we have been informed is to be announced at Detroit in January. They've wrapped into the design of this car some of the information and data gathered during the Mini E test driving program.

How exciting it is to be a part of this process!

THERE'S MORE TO LIFE THAN GAS MILEAGE!

2009-12-04T14:55:00.000-08:00

Some thoughts

that occurred to me today while driving my All Electric Mini E - 80 miles round trip to one of the Multitude of Meetings I endure as a Special effects Artist in the Southern California Movie industry.

The meeting was in Manhattan Beach, 40 miles from my Home Office in Newport Beach. While driving the 405 freeway, I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) a Talk Show about Cars, then an interview with a Car Journalist from the LA Times who's talking about the LA Auto Show, an event I will attend this weekend. He is being questioned, among other things, about the viability of the Electric car in Southern California, will people buy them? His answer: "it will take a long time for people to adopt the idea of an All Electric Car" and "they will probably have to go through the Hybrid phase first to gain Security over the Fear of running out of electricity" he said "it will take many years for people to accept the Electric Car". This I hear as I am traveling faster than the other traffic while in the Car Pool lane of the 405 freeway by myself to a meeting with my briefcase and laptop computer (a daily occurrence) in my All Electric Mini E.

Finishing my meeting, Mini E and I head for the 405 and the return trip home when a Lifted 4X4 Chevy, 3/4 ton Pickup, pulls in front of me, carrying only the driver and stops at the red light. As we sit waiting for the light to turn, I am thinking about the FUEL he, and the other cars sitting there, are BURNING while IDLING and the 4 inch EXHAUST pipe I am looking down as I sit using NOTHING waiting for the light to turn.

My eye drifts while thinking of these things and rests on the license plate frame which announces in Bold Face:

"THERE'S MORE TO LIFE"

and below that on the lower frame:

"THAN GAS MILEAGE!"

I agree Totally, (though I don't think he meant it the way I'm taking it)!

On the Radio, the LA Times writer is asked about the various cars soon to be available in the Hybrid/Plug-in Electric universe. He itemizes most of them, the interviewer asks about the Mini E, he responds something like "Thats not really a viable car, no backseat, only a two seater, 'snickers' and glosses over its existence as not really PRACTICAL".

The Radio is telling me THIS car is not practical as I watch my ODOmeter turn over 7200 miles. This afternoon I will finish my singular ride (among thousands of other cars occupied by only one Single person), arrive at my destination, plug in, do some work and after an hour and a half the Mini E is ready with a full tank for another run, wherever I want to go in a 100 miles.

Such is my life with the so called "IMPRACTICAL" Electric car I love driving more than any other car I've ever driven!

Perhaps it WILL take a LONG time for the adoption of the Electric Car,

(I hope we don't run out of Fossil Fuels in the meantime)

More people need to actually DRIVE the Electric Car,

experience the THRILL of INSTANT TORQUE and SILENT SPEED!

DRIVE one and GET IT!

There IS more to life than Gas Mileage!

I easily get a HUNDRED miles on the COST of a single GALLON of gas!

That's Practical!

COOPER E 230 meets Ken Gibson of the LONDON SUN

2009-12-02T08:58:00.000-08:00

One of the best parts of being involved with the MINI E road test is the really nice people I am meeting along the way!

I received a call last week from Natalie at Mini, asking if I would be available to talk to someone named Ken Gibson who had been reading my blog about the Mini E driving experience. Sure! I said, always glad to talk about the Mini E!

Yesterday, I had one of the most fun afternoons I've had in a while.

I met Ken Gibson, Motoring Editor for the London Sun Newspaper, at his Hotel in downtown LA., Yvonne, from Mini PR in Detroit, was there with a shiny new Mini Convertible, a local photographer and a bunch of cameras.

Ken is doing a story on the Mini E driving experience, here in America, in preparation for the launch of the same program in the United Kingdom.

As the clock was now pushing 2:00 I hit 'Start', the 'ICE' Convertible 'fired up' and we headed out with an eye toward LA city backgrounds and icons that would be recognizable to his British readers.

Driving around LA/Hollywood being chased by a Mini Convertible and a strobe flashing photographer was a really fun experience for an old guy who has spent most of his career BEHIND the cameras, for a moment I felt what a celebrity must feel!

Speeding past Paramount Pictures front gate (where I spent most of the 70's), the Hollywood sign, my old Stage 29, shooting away, strobes flashing, was a lot of fun for me.

All too soon it was over, back to the Hotel, seared Ahi dinner on MIni PR, we said our goodbye's.

Thank you to Ken Gibson, the LONDON SUN, Yvonne and Natalie from MINI PR, MINIUSA, BMW and all the good people involved with bringing the Electric Car to the rest of us!

I new when I signed up I would be meeting a lot of really nice people!

(128 miles today with a hour and a half charge during the morning meeting.)

Range Anxiety is completely GONE!

2009-11-24T19:09:00.000-08:00

100 mile range is completely adequate

for what I do in my regular daily routine!

I have driven 7000 miles now and have reached

every place I need to go in the Los Angeles basin from Orange County,

with a little help from a few chargers.

With a well developed infrastructure of available chargers,

it will be such a pleasure for more people to be

quietly, cleanly and affordably whisking from place to place in this city.

I had to drive an internal combustion engined (ICE) car this weekend and the drone of the engine, though relatively quiet, really irritated me!

I am really spoiled by the amazing performance, silent power and ease of operation of this great little car.

140 mile round trip.

2009-11-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

My Malibu friends now see me (probably too) often!

The 140mile round trip used to be a rare visit in the old gas (diesel) guzzler because it cost too much and I would stress about the use of a finite resource to go for a joyride, but now that my friend has also gotten a Mini E (with 60 amp charger), my trip is guilt free, stress free, easy, fun and cheap!

He was able to snag one of the returned Mini E's from someone whose lifestyle it didn't fit and 2 chargers, one for work (Hollywood) the other at home (Malibu). I am in Newport Beach, 70 miles from Malibu and 55 miles from Hollywood, both just outside my 100 mile RT so it makes it perfect for me as those are the only places I go (in my daily routine) that are in need of at least a touch up charge.

Almost 7000 miles, be there in a couple days,
(we watched as we turned over 6666.6 last night).

if you want to drive one, ask me, you'll be hooked too!
Still Love this Car!

Drive an Electric Car Once and You Won't Go Back!

2009-11-20T13:32:00.001-08:00

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-neil20-2009nov20,0,5609464.column

I love the fact that people are discovering Electric Cars!

Find someone to let you drive one and you will be as hooked as I am!

BACK HOME with a new Brain!

2009-11-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

Diagnosis of this weeks problem: Internal Fault in the PEU (Power Electronics Unit) or the 'Brain'.
After diagnosis the 'Flying Doctors' replaced the unit, reprogrammed the DMI and returned the car to my dealer.

After four days (with the 328i loaner) I am back in the drivers seat. Thanks BMW for creating this valuable program so many people are watching and learning from.

My son and I picked up COOPER E 230 and drove straight into Santa Monica to see the Nissan 'Leaf' launching at Pier 59 Studios.

An Exciting Event, the Leaf is definitely a serious attempt by a Major manufacturer to jump in to the BEV market.
Watch for an event near you, they launched last night a 20 city tour exhibiting the car and a cutaway chassis that looks to be very well engineered.

The run from home to Santa Monica is 51 miles one way, the computer was figuring 87 mi of range when we started out, hmmmm, this'll be fun. We jumped on the freeway, kept it at 60 mph, drove 55 miles to Hollywood using 50%, we spent 20 minutes on the charger at a friends business, where there is a charger in the parking lot, had some dinner while waiting.

Now With 60 % and 11 miles to Santa Monica we went to the Launch Party.

The computer seemed to indicate we were using power at an alarming rate on the 11 mile trip to Santa Monica and I spent most of the time at the party wondering where we would be calling the flatbed from to get home.

I did, however, enjoy looking at Nissans entry.

Retrieving the car from the Valet (hoping he hadn't joy rode with our meager remaining power) we headed out for the trip home, 52 miles with 48% battery! Jamie drove, keeping constant speed is his theory, so we pegged the speedo on 60 mph and meticulously stuck to it varying as little as possible. We watched the battery % meter at first deplete alarmingly fast then it began to recalculate and actually add percentage. Jamies theory is to keep speed constant and avoid using regen.

We were about 8 miles from home when we hit 0% and flat line on the battery!

Hmmmm we were still doing 60 MPH! I have run the car 9 miles in the same condition so I now new we could make it home, so we continued, conservatively, (Not Jamie's nature or even a word he likes) and pulled into the garage and the computer popped back up to 3% after having read 0% and flatlined for about 8 miles.

It was another great day with the Mini E and we are so happy to have it back ...and to be in the drivers seat again!

Interesting article in The Sun - UK

2009-11-12T11:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/motors/ken_gibson/2642561/Its-the-sun-wot-run-it.html

Sad Day!

2009-11-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

Little COOPER E 230 is in the hospital, the flying Dr's are assessing what to do.

Last week he started kicking into N from D, sometimes at speed upon acceleration, others when starting and into R to back out of the garage. Each time it would kick to N eutral and give me a car on the rack symbol. I would press Stop, pull the key, reinsert, press Start and everything was fine. Several days I drove my normal 80 to 100 miles, starting and stopping without another incident. Then, morning, full charge, same thing, R kick out N, restart routine, go on my way.

I just grew tired of it and decided someone should look at it before it happened in a more dangerous situation.

Thats it for now, meanwhile I'm driving a nice little silver 09 328i ICE loaner, not bad,
but it's definitely not my Electric Mini E!

I'm gonna hate that GAS stop to return it full!

Can't wait to get My E back!

West Coast Meetup 2

2009-11-10T12:38:00.000-08:00

What a great group of people!

To those who missed it, there'll be more, watch for info either here or on Facebook at Mini E.

Mini E Meetup 2 devouring good food at "My Fathers Office"

located in the old Helms Bakery.

AC PROPULSION showed up with the E-Box and test rides all around.

http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2009/11/2009-mini-e-141-miles-rusty-rotors-happy-drivers.html

Our group of ten Mini E drivers being interviewed by John O'Dell, Senior Editor at Edmunds.com.

under the Solar Charger Port at the old Helms Bakery bldgs. in Santa Monica.

Thanks BMW/MINI for making such a great little car!

Plug-In America's EV Tracker Link.

2009-10-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

http://www.pluginamerica.org/plug-in-vehicle-tracker.html

EV Focus Group

2009-10-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

Got Invited to an EV Focus Group session.

Love any chance to talk about my E, so I went.

9 people in our group, all Mini E experienced drivers with 8 driving their cars.

It means something to me that the Information is being gathered by one of Our Major American car manufacturers and is being evaluated toward the production of EV's and Hybrids to be designed and built in the USA!

Thanks to BMW for putting these on the road so we can show people how Fun and Practical they are to drive and demonstrate how well they fit into our daily lives!

WELCOME NUMBER 136!

2009-10-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

New Mini E driver just added to the group.

Number 136 had been turned back in with only 400 miles on it.
A friend of mine picked it up Friday and is off and running and very happy!

I will try to get him to start a blog, if not I will include his experiences here.

Great video interview with the maker of the motor in my Mini E.

2009-10-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajtSEAdpoYA

Alternative Power Expo at Santa Monica Civic, Santa Monica California.

2009-10-07T14:49:00.000-07:00

Had a great time exploring the various exhibits and talking with people about the pure JOY of driving an Electric Vehicle, BEV.

Numerous Mini E's

Numerous other Alternative vehicles, Test drives, great to see a plethora of possibilities hitting the market soon.

As for COOPER E 230 we now have a charger in Hollywood (40 amp) 60 miles from home and another 75 miles from home in Malibu (60 amp).

We seem to be building our own infrastructure!

Came home from Hollywood at 80 mph (car pool lane), a/c on, headlights, radio,

arrived home with 30% to spare, oh what a great feeling!

I LOVE this car!

It's So good to be back in the drivers seat!

2009-10-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Approaching 5000 pollution free miles!

Since 5/31/2009

As of today - 4330 miles divided by 123 days

equals an average of 35 miles a day, every day.

Sometimes I drive further, sometimes less,

Mostly, well within the 100 mile range of the car.

I now have access to a charger at a business in Hollywood (55 miles one way)

so my Hollywood trips have just gotten easily feasible.

Still costing an average of 3 cents a mile to run,

get home plug-in and charge overnight (off peak)

have a full tank ready to go in the morning.

Love this car!

Oh...It's a Novelty!

2009-09-25T14:18:00.000-07:00

OK I was talking to a FORD GT40 owner a while back

and on introducing him to my ELECTRIC MINI E he looks at it and states

"Oh....It's a novelty!"

Now I ask you,

Which is more of a novelty?

• A 2 Passenger, $200,000, 800 HP, 300 MPH car that can only be driven on a closed track.

• A 2 Passenger, 200 HP, 95MPH car that has the SAME breathtaking performance characteristics and can be driven SILENTLYon any road, as far as one normally drives in average daily use

AND

My car does this on ELECTRICITY, without pollution, smoke, odors, burning fuel, and does it while costing only PENNIES.

Hey, I love the GT40, it was historic and beautiful and sounds wonderful!

But the world is indeed changing and it's time to see the light and MOVE ON,

besides what's more important, all that sound?

Or the feeling you get from being G-forced back into your seat as you experience phenomenal acceleration when you press the accelerator to the floor?

Spanish Adventure

2009-09-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

Had to go to Spain for two weeks.

Saw the new MINI D

on the showroom floor.

Diesel is still king in Europe, at $5.00 a gallon its cheaper than Gas, better mileage, engine life, cheaper tuneups, etc, and the new Diesel engines are quieter and cleaner.

These days the air in Spain is fabulous!

Historically, Spain has been harnessing the Power of the Wind for a thousand years.

Everywhere, on the PLAIN, there are NEW High Technology Wind Powered generators.

The ELECTRIC car is perfect for In City errands,

small, nimble, Clean, daily range of 160 kilometers (100 miles),

saving many Diesel Powered kilometers for the long hauls.

I saw a Prius in Madrid with the word "ELECTRICO"

across the back window.

Slowly, the World catches on, Clean Power Now!

Run to Zero

2009-09-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Arrived home with 8 miles left on the Range Estimate readout, so decided to take it down and try to find zero.

After hitting the 'dashed line' meaning no range left, I flipped to % and found I had 2% left in the battery.
I continued to drive, at 30 and 40 miles an hour till I finally found 0% on the Battery and --------- on the range readouts.

I was still doing 30 miles an hour.

Not wanting to have to push it I headed for the barn and arrived with 0% and --------- after about 8 miles of driving.

Parked it, let it sit about half an hour, checked again and I found 2% in the Battery with still -------range.

Turned him back on, turned on the headlights, as it was now after dark and went for another drive.

After about 3 miles and 0% and -------- readouts I decided to head home again for the same reason as above.

This photo shows 0%, ------ range and I am doing 30 mph with the headlights on!

Finally, I never found absolute zero, I went fully ten miles beyond 0% and ------- range and still had enough to do 30 miles an hour. Performance definitely slacked off the nearer I got to 0% but I was still able to travel at legal speeds and stay out of the way.

I parked COOPER E, plugged him in and today I'm off again with a full tank!

This is COOPER E's new front badge, a custom EEU front plate!

Love this car!

Bye for now!

Charger Sharing, Thanks Sandra and Dan!

2009-08-29T22:45:00.000-07:00

Had to go to Malibu, 74 miles from home, today.

Jamie had put 98 miles on the car last night arriving home about 4:am. COOPER E was still charging when I got up at 7:30.

I began to plan my day and how I would make the trip (which is right on the edge of my range capability) and return in one day instead of doing an overnight with the 110v 'occasional use' charger.

Knowing I would need to charge somewhere along the way, I consulted the 'Charger Sharing' website, looked up Sandra Kulli #246, who had previously offered hers.

I called, talked to her husband Dan and found she would be home around noon. I arrived at their beautiful home in Malibu at 12:15 having used about 60% of my charge with about 10 or 12 miles to go to my destination in Latigo Shores.

Sandra, I had met at the initial MiniUSA party, Dan I just met for the first time.

Greeted by the ever smiling, cheerful, Sandra, I immediately felt welcome as she abolished any thought I had of intruding on her day.

After an hour and a half of great conversation and Coffee made by Dan I was ready to go with an 88% charge.

It really is fun meeting the other Mini E Pioneers!

Thats me and my new friend Sandra, Dan took the picture.

I made it to Latigo, had a nice two hours there with friends, jumped back in the car and headed off to do the 74 miles home with a 76% charge.

A lot of traffic, even though it was Saturday, used regenerative braking a lot. Thought about stopping at Long Beach Mini for a touch up charge but decided, as I passed Signal Hill in Long Beach, to go for it as the 'regen' seemed to really be helping.
Several times I watched as, while in heavy traffic, the % digital readout actually reversed and climbed, I was putting power back into the battery. There were times also that sitting at a stop light, it would adjust upward a percent or two.

I ended a great day of guiltless driving, getting off the 405 freeway in Seal Beach and cruising down PCH (Pacific Coast Hiway) along the ocean, returning home to Newport.

148.8 miles on the ODO with 9 miles left.

The warning 'sound' and triangle appeared at 25 miles then again at 10 miles.

COOPER E now sits charging and getting ready for what tomorrow brings.

Better Batteries for everyone.

2009-08-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

http://green.autoblog.com/2009/07/17/bosch-samsung-battery-venture-buys-cobasys

HOV Stickers arrive and get placed.

2009-08-22T15:41:00.000-07:00

These are the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane stickers that give us the right to use the HOV or Diamond lane on the Freeways. These stickers are silver as they are CLEAN AIR or ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) Tags and allow me to drive alone in the HOV lane, NICE!.

The small sticker applies to the right side of the rear bumper.
The Large stickers are supposed to be placed behind the rear wheels but as you can see there is no place to put them.
Solution, place them in front of the wheels, on the side of the car behind the door.

(if you use a little windex or soapy water first, you can slide the sticker around till you get it right, then squeegee the liquid out from under and the sticker will be perfectly applied)

Just the Facts, Man.

2009-08-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

Facts About Plug-in Vehicles

Today's batteries can take EVs up to 300 miles on a single charge.

Battery Electric Vehicles (EVs) are by far the most efficient motorized vehicles in the world and use 3-4 times LESS energy than hydrogen fuel cell cars.

Enough excess generating capacity exists at night in the U.S. to charge 180 million EVs without adding any new capacity (no new coal or nuclear power plants). Source US. Department of Energy.

We will never fight a war over electricity.

EVs powered by the US electrical grid are cleaner than gas, E85, biodiesel & fuel cells.

Half of EV owners surveyed use solar energy to power their houses and cars.

EVs by the millions could be built today.

Plug-in cars capable of 50 miles per day would meet the needs of 80% of the American driving public. Source: U.S. Department of Transportation.

2009-08-19T18:05:00.000-07:00

This car is Soooo much fun!

50th Birthday of Mini after Rally Party.

2009-08-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

Six Mini E's in one place at the same time (actually 7, look closely at the end of the row near the building, one is hiding there).

The one in the distance behind the building is charging on 110v.

MINI 50TH BIRTHDAY RALLY

2009-08-16T20:04:00.001-07:00

Joined Crevier Mini today (Sunday)for a 50th Birthday event for the MINI.

We drove a great 50+ mile run through some beautiful Southern California country roads.

Down the canyon to Laguna, PCH to Balboa where we crammed Four Mini's at a time on the Balboa Ferry (3 car Ferry) with room to spare.

Many Mini's, some of the fifty cars that showed up.

Balboa Island queing up for the Ferry.

We ended the day with a great BBQ and get together at Newport Dunes Aquatic Park in Newport Beach.

Want to see more photos of the Rally go here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2415217&id=6009807&ref=nf

The numbers:

100% at start ODO:0.0, used 8 % to get to Crevier (Rally Reg and Start)

Arrived at Rally End at Newport Dunes with 60.8 miles on the ODO,

40% remaining (which after sitting, while we partied, grew to 43%)

Returned home ( about 3 miles) arrived with 40% remaining.

We were on track for at least 100 miles on 100% charge.

Nice Day, Great Food,

Fun Games,

Thanks Crevier!

2009-08-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

Had to get out the Old Truck (F250-6 liter Diesel) to haul something I couldn't fit in the Mini E.

Sure felt BIG after driving Cooper E for two months.

Steering actually feels a little, scary, loose after the tight responsive Mini wheel.

Kinda miss 'Torque' steer and boy do I miss Regenerative braking, have to think about stopping.

Finished my 'run', delivered my load, hurried home to park 'the truck' and get back into my Mini E.

Still flawless (in spite of all other negative reports,) Cooper E is performing very well with no problems to report.

Tomorrow (Sunday Aug. 16,) we will participate in the Crevier Mini Road Rally finishing at Newport Dunes. I will report on that with photos, have fun, I am!

Other interesting Projects:

2009-08-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/07/28/velozzi-solo-crossover-gets-a-multi-fuel-micro-turbine-battery-charger-to-extend-range

Hydrogen vs. Electricity

2009-08-12T09:05:00.000-07:00

Following, is the body of a letter available on:

http://www.dcmonitor.biz

"I am writing today regarding the transportation “Hydrogen Economy” being proposed by Big Oil and our government. A “Hydrogen Economy” is not in the best interest of the general public, it serves big industry only.

Hydrogen is a dangerous fuel, it is far more combustible than gasoline, it requires a great deal of energy to extract and it demands a new infrastructure for delivery. This will cost hundreds of billions of American taxpayer dollars. Further, the widespread use of hydrogen is unsafe and I refuse to use a technology that will endanger me or my family, especially my children.

I will not sell out the safety of myself and my family for the benefit of the oil and auto industries. These industries know that the use of hydrogen as a fuel is unsafe!

A solution to the use of hydrogen as a fuel is the use of the electricity. Toyota produced 100% electric vehicles, over ten years ago, that are still running today, exceeding performance expectations of 80-120 miles per charge and still running after 100,000 miles. The NiMH battery patent technology responsible for this performance is being prohibited for use in high range 100% electric vehicle.

The owner of the patents related to NiMH batteries is Chevron Corporation.

This obvious technology suppression is an insult to American intelligence, a threat to our national security, and serves only to benefit the oil industry.

Please invoke President Obama to execute Eminent Domain and/or Compulsory Licensing over NiMH battery patents to free America of oil dependence and allow for ongoing automotive ingenuity using a technology that is safe, clean, free of foreign dependency and proven in reliability.

P.S. An excellent resource for comprehensive analysis of this issue is book "Two Cents per Mile" by Nevres Cefo."

Seems to me

2009-08-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of talk running around about problems with the MINI E and the 'test program'.

I would like to put in my 'two cents' (which is what it costs to drive me nearly a mile).

First, we all were warned there would be hiccups and delays as it is an Experimental car.

As far as I am concerned the car and program have been flawless and smoothly executed.

If I've had a question (one) or concern ( few) they have been answered quickly and efficiently with a simple phone call to the right person.

My Charger installation was smooth, efficient and professionally handled, inspection passed, I've been charging for two months, 3000 miles, no problems, no complaints.

The car:

• Fit and Finish: Perfect

• Design:

• Exterior: Perfect, wouldn't change a thing.

• Interior: Of course I would like the rear seat (battery box), more cargo space.

(future reduction or redesign of battery size will take care of this)

Love the look and feel of everything.

Would like to reorganize some of the digital information in dash.

• Performance: After two months = still WOW!

95 mph top speed is entirely adequate (more would only tempt me to get tickets).

Acceleration is astounding!

Regenerative braking is wonderful, miss it when driving other cars.

• Handling: Superior!

Everything I would expect from a Mini and more.

love the extra battery weight, feels like I'm glued to the road.

• Range: Entirely adequate for a day to day 40 mile commute or running around town.

(150 to 200 miles would be superior, I'm sure ((hope)) this is future possible.)

• Charging: Couldn't be simpler or safer.

(Future Standard Plug and Infrastructure will nice.)

All said, my experience so far has convinced me this IS the car of the future NOW.

We CAN drive Electric Cars NOW, the infrastructure exists NOW, there is plenty of power to charge OFF PEAK, I have done 3000 miles in two months just running around town and haven't bought an ounce of Gasoline and have been only responsible for a mere tiny fraction of the pollution produced by power generation facilities.

As my wife says, (as a Mom with two sons growing up and all the things they have to do and events they have to attend)

She drives tens of thousands of miles a year - one mile at time!

All that could be done in an ELECTRIC vehicle.

(reducing ones carbon footprint on the Planet).

WE ARE doing it right NOW,

YOU CAN TOO, look into it.

Even Hybrids are a step in the right direction.

Voice your opinion, let them know WE want these cars NOW.

Back in the 'E' (ticket) seat.

2009-08-07T18:12:00.000-07:00

Well, that was fun, a day with the Z4, but I'm actually happy to be back in the Mini E.

Service went very well, the 'flying Dr' came down early to inspect Cooper E, he passed all the tests and I got the call to pick him up at 5:00.

2930 miles when I brought him in, 2936 when I picked him up. $0 spent.

Looking forward to a nice weekend of cruising in Cooper E.

3000 Pollution Free Miles!

2009-08-07T09:43:00.000-07:00

In to Crevier Mini for mandatory 3000 mile Checkup this morning.

So far Cooper E 230 has been flawless!

Service advisor Ken Woods told me the 'Flying Dr' would have to look at it and might not get to it till this afternoon, he would call.

Went to the loaner desk and the girl says "How about a Z4?"

What was I gonna say, "Sorry, I've given up Gasoline"?

"Why Sure" says I!

So, I'll be doing some damage to my carbon footprint today, not much though as BMW makes some very efficient engines!

Thank You Crevier and MiniUsa for all the fun I am having!

Newport to Marina Del Rey and Venice and back.

2009-08-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Had a 9:30 am meeting in Venice, right down by the boardwalk, turns out it is exactly 50% of my power reserve from home (Newport Beach). After, about 11:00, going to Lunch we drove a few blocks to Marina Del Rey where there is a fellow Mini Pioneer at New Deal Studios, Shannon Gans. Pulled around back to where I know the charger is, plugged in (as I had already cleared permission with Shannon) jumped into my friends car and went around the corner to have some lunch at Souplantation. Back to the Studio, pick up Cooper E and head home with all accessories on, back to full charge for a angst free ride home. Arrived home having used a little more than 50%.

The Actual 95 to 100 mile range is just shy of adequate for most travel in the LA area for me coming from Newport Beach. It's been totally adequate for daily run around things in Orange County but venture out and I need a boost. It's great to have a list of chargers to consult and access to them, it just takes a little more planning and conscious effort.

My Hollywood runs are 55 miles each way, 150 mile range would have been excellent but I am averaging 94 to 103.

Eventually a 200 mile range would be excellent, hopefully by the time this, or any other Electric car, makes it to market that will be feasible.

• 60 amp chargers at the dealers are WONDERFUL.

• 110 volt charger is for extreme dire emergency only, (no wonder the Pioneers that had only that in the beginning were so frustrated.)

• Wonder if the guts of the charger could be 'on board' the car, so you could just plug into any 220 outlet. (car could sense and self adjust amperes)

Today is absolutely beautiful, plugged in last night, tanks full of kilowatts, think I'll take a little drive!

Addendum to Aug 2, blog

2009-08-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

After arriving home from our venture to Malibu and back, son Jamie charged the car for 2 hours and with a friend headed back out for the evening. Checked the ODO this morning and they added 55 miles upping yesterdays total to nearly 200 miles! 3 partial charges in one day!

By the way, added something to the back hatch under the license plate, Pep Boys $1.99 per letter.

Malibu BBQ - 148 miles RT

2009-08-02T17:56:00.000-07:00

110v Charger plugged into GFI Circuit, charging happily away.

Saturday we drove 74 miles to our Malibu friends house for BBQ.

Planning to overnight, I knew we could find a charger nearby but wanted to try the 110v cord that comes with the car.

Arriving at 3:00 pm with about 25% left of a Full charge we immediately plugged the car into a GFI circuit at the alley wall of the house and left it to charge.

Many others have written of problems with GFI circuits and report that they do not work,

we had NO SUCH problem, the car charged fine.

We had a wonderful afternoon and evening with our friends, went to bed, awoke, had breakfast, walked on the beach and checking the car at Noon found we had 90% charge.

Thinking we can surely drive the 74 miles home, we said goodbyes and started out.

Perhaps because it was Sunday and there was No Traffic we made great time.

Watching my Odometer, the Computer Estimate of miles remaining and calculating,

doing the math, because we were making such 'good time' I calculated we were going to be about 5 miles short on range!

Not wanting to walk 5 miles or wait for a tow truck, we called Long beach Mini which was right on the way, just off the freeway at Cherry Ave in Signal Hill. A quick look at the card in the glovebox for the number, call LB MINI, ask if "we can get a charge?" and the reply is "Not on Sunday, Service Dept is Closed, no charger."

We called again and asked for someone involved with the Mini E program and I was about to tell them we were coming anyway and they could find someone with the keys, when a new voice came on the line and said "OK, Ask for Junior!"

We arrived, a very nice young fellow met us at the door for us, I asked for Junior, He said "I'm Junior! Would you like some nice cold water?"

I told him we were looking for a half hour charge and he said "where are the keys?"

I gave them to him, he took the car.

We had a nice half hour rest looking at new Mini's and BMW's next door, had a nice talk with a Beemer salesman, 'Junior' came back with the car and we were on our way again with a 75% charge and two bottles of cold water.

Thank You Junior Mercado, as with most of the people from BMW and MINI we've met since joining this program, you couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating, Fine Job!

As it happened, the bottom line was we made it home with 25% remaining, thats exactly what we added in the half hour stop at Long Beach Mini. If we hadn't stopped at Long Beach Mini, we would have necessarily called 'The' truck or worse, had to start Walking as, due to the 'short' charge, we would have used ALL our range and had nothing left.

The Important Point of all this for other Mini E drivers is:

• The Dealer chargers are only actually available during normal business hours and NOT on Sunday.

• And don't take NO for an answer, ask for someone else who knows what you are talking about and realizes that we are all in this together and They Can Help.

Still loving this little Car!

Second Month EDISON Billing

2009-07-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

Total cost of ALL my Pollution Free driving this month is: $56.00!

'Fuel' Cost per mile still about a nickel!

If you factor in the cost of the lease it adds about 83 cents per mile this month.

(Didn't drive as many miles as I was in Hawaii, without Cooper E, for half the month)

The 2 weeks I was home and Jamie's use while I was gone totaled about 1100 miles.

We will make the 74 mile trip to Malibu for a Bar B Que this Saturday, the plan is to plug-in to 110v the moment we get there, enjoy the BBQ, friendship, walk/play on the beach, maybe stay overnight, breakfast, unplug and drive home. We know (from the charger share website) there are several fast chargers in the vicinity if we need them.

Won't it be great when Electric Car availability and use grows to the point we have a charger infrastructure and a proliferation of Silent, Non Polluting Electric cars on the roads.

Wind Power, No Gas either.

2009-07-27T20:49:00.000-07:00

This was my recreational toy for 24 years.

Thousands of miles sailed without ever burning a drop of fuel!

No engine, only Dacron cloth sails,

(OK, they were made from a petrochemical I suppose)

wonderful, silent, renewable, non polluting powered FUN!

She is made of wood and canvas, still sailing with a new master and will celebrate her 100th birthday in a few years.

I've always enjoyed alternative power sources, it's not entirely necessary to burn oil to get through our daily chores or even to have fun.

Think of it, when my boat was built in 1923, Electric Autos, Trains and Electric powered Public Transportation were in common use, The Red Car Line (Electric) ran from the Balboa Peninsula, to downtown Los Angeles (6th & Wilshire) in 40 minutes, a thermos of coffee and the LA Times and you were downtown.

We've progressed so far!

They have recently rebuilt some of the system that was torn out in my childhood (the 50's) in favor of big oil and rubber, we'll never get it all back, however Public Transportation in LA is moving once again in the right direction.

Thinking has come full circle, vastly improved technology is presenting us New Ways to move into the future on Old Ideas.

I love driving this Electric Car, the MINI E.

Almost daily someone asks .."really...only Electric, no Gas?"

"How fast does it go? 40?"

I give them a ride and they are amazed!

A quick spurt to 80mph (knowing there's more left), all they can say is "WOW, why don't we ALL drive these!"

2009-07-23T14:50:00.000-07:00

Back in the Saddle again!

2009-07-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Returned, rested from Paradise, to find Cooper E has exceeded 2000 mi. on the ODO, thanks to son Jamie.

Still performing perfectly, Cooper E now has his environmental plates and we are still working on the ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) sticker which will allow me to drive in the HOV lane alone.

It seems even though I filled in all the boxes on the application, Electric, even writing 'This is an ELECTRIC car', the DMV still believed it must be 'Compressed Natural Gas'.

They returned my application as 'Incomplete'.

Deciding this will be fun, I took Cooper E to a local DMV office for 'Verification' this morning.

While waiting in the lineup of cars, the Security Guard checking the lines asked what I wanted, "Verification, They don't believe it's Electric" a nice conversation ensues with the Security Guard voicing all the normal concerns," Don't you miss the engine noise? How far does it go? Does it just stop when it runs out? What do you do when it runs out?" I express to him that non of these things are really concerns in my Daily routine as I enjoy impressive acceleration without the exploding roar, I've not run out yet, I rarely exceed the cars range in my daily tasks, I plug it in, go to bed and have a full tank in the morning for less than 3 bucks.

The seriously poker faced inspector arrives and proceeds to look the car over, matching vin numbers, reading labels, etc etc, looks in the filler cap and says " I see you have two modes of power here" I said WHAT? he says you put some kind of gas in here (pointing to the Electric plug socket) I said NO thats where you plug in the Electricity! I open the rear hatch, show him the battery box, he says "Open it up" I said "I can't, they won't let me" I showed him the Emergency Cutoff switch, pulled one of the handy little information cards I'd just received in the 'goody' box, handed it to him. He read the card, handed it back and, finally, walking back to the engine compartment, still sure I'm hiding another motor somewhere, finds and reads the sticker on the hood which reads' ZEV fuel=Li*'.

He turns to me and says "you have Li * fuel---I guess that means battery!"

He signs the paper ELECTRIC - Li Fuel, hands it to me and says send it in to Sacramento with 8 bucks.

to be Continued, I'm Sure.

Sorry!

2009-07-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

Sorry, this is what I'll be looking at for the next week.

The Big Island calls, so Jamie will be driving (and hopefully helping me blog)

So I'm off in the morning to snorkel, paddle, swim, visit with some old friends in paradise, I'll be walking and riding bikes (what a great place it would be for Cooper E!).

Very comfortable ride today to Fullerton and back to visit a project I have in process at Kickstart Customs. Gave Master Painter Jimmy (motorhead) a chance to drive the future, needless to say very impressed and surprised at Cooper's performance abilities!

That's a tease as I might let you know about project 'X' later (someday if all goes well).

I'll miss the little guy, Cooper won't be lonely, Jamie is here to exercise him.

See you soon, Aloha!

Meet Up!

2009-07-08T16:38:00.000-07:00

Well 017 and I decided to meet up at Beach Burgers in HB, we were told it was 'Mini Night', they knew nothing of it.

Turned out it was just US.

We had a fine time eating delicious burgers and talking about experiences with our 'rides' (even though we are just beginning).

I am driving Cooper E every day, 60 to 80 miles average with plenty of charge left over at the end of the day, still thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this machine!

Son Jamie then takes over and drives the night shift doing whatever it is he does.

When done, Jamie plugs in and when I arise, in the morning, Cooper is Full and ready to go for another day.

FAMILY INTRO.

2009-07-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would introduce the COOPER E family to you.

Son Jamie, who attended the Inauguration in Washington D.C., Sociologist, Scientist, Mathematician - Son Ian, who is currently (for the last year) traveling around the world on his feet, couch surfing and whatever Public transport he can find, brilliant multidimensional personality, Jamie and Ian's Mom Suzi and Dad (me) Jim.

COOPER E is My project (in that I pay the bills) but we all drive him (except Ian, whose carbon footprint is pretty tiny right now).

We feel very lucky to have been chosen to drive the Mini E for this year long (short) testing experience!

Stop by occasionally for updates and Please, leave comments or questions, or even requests for a test drive!

Cost results are in!

2009-06-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

Received my Edison TOU (Time Of Use) meter bill yesterday.

TOU is the separate meter installed by Edison to monitor the power consumption of the 240 volt 40 amp charger exclusive to the Mini E.

The breakdown on the rate sheet is very complex but shows the percentage of sources behind the power you used. almost 25% was provided by DWR (Department of water Resources)

The Bill, including the $15 account setup charge, totals $91.14.

$76.14 is the cost the electricity I used in the process of driving over 1200 miles since installing the meter. (I've deducted the mileage driven the day I used 'New Deal's charger to recharge mid-run to Hollywood)

This works out to fractions more than .06 cents per mile for "fuel" (electricity).

Add the cost of the lease (which I don't pay till next month) the total cost, including lease, for the next 1200 miles (one month) will be around .83 cents per mile.

Compare this to the $1.84 it has cost (fuel and cost of vehicle) me to drive a mile in my 'other' vehicle (F250 Diesel, it's paid for now, so I'll keep it for the occasional hauling/towing trip)

To "fuel" 1200 miles in my other vehicle (@.1875 cents per mile @$3 per gallon) would have cost at least $225.

My fuel saving, this month, is nearly $150!

Add to this saving, the JOY I feel while driving the CLEANEST, least polluting, car on the planet.

I'm a Happy Boy!

How many tons of pollution do stoplights produce?

2009-06-27T11:02:00.000-07:00

I've always hated idling at long stoplights, wasting fuel and polluting the air we breathe.

Driving the Mini E it's wonderful to sit now at a long stoplight and know I am not contributing. Yesterday I had to fire up the 'Dino' fuel truck and haul something I couldn't fit in the Mini. Really hated to do it but had no choice.

It's amazing how different I felt driving it after a month of Electric Car heaven.

The guilt I felt idling at stoplights, the sound of the engine, I used to like to hear, now sounds primitive and unnecessary.

Personally I can't wait for this to be my reality!

My next investigation is the conversion of my roof to Solar collection, I know it's expensive and I probably won't live to see the payoff but I feel it's worth investigation. There would be no better feeling than to know I was cleanly generating the power necessary to haul me around in my daily routine.

I can't make Hydrogen, or natural gas, I don't want to spend money on foreign non renewable fuels, I CAN MAKE electricity, we have the technology, it is the OBVIOUS SOLUTION.

Saw 222 today.

2009-06-25T21:31:00.000-07:00

Saw the second OTHER Mini E I've seen on the road.

For the 2nd time in the month I've had COOPER E,

I had to fire up the Diesel truck to haul something I couldn't fit

in the Mini. So I was cruising south on Jamboree in my Ford Diesel Truck and there it was, a Mini E, gliding along in the fast lane beside me!

Of course he couldn't know I had one too, so I just watched as he passed by with a huge smile on his face.

I got home and looked up 222 in charger sharing website but he hasn't signed up,

so, don't know who you are 222.

Anyway, welcome, we should all have a meetup someday!

2009-06-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

www.spacex.com

2009-06-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder

this is what it is like

to drive a vehicle

RENEWABLE,

ELECTRICITY.

It is empowering

and refreshing

and guilt free.

ENERGY MADE HERE.

Turned 1000 miles today

2009-06-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

ODO: 1046 miles

TOU: 310 kwh

mileage: 3.4 mpkwh

Cost: about a nickel a mile!

I get my Edison bill soon I'll report exactly what the cost is.

I HAVE BEEN TO THE PROMISED LAND!

2009-06-19T14:34:00.000-07:00

My son Jamie and I were invited to go along on a scheduled tour of SpaceX, with the kind folks from New Deal Studios.

We left at 9am, again the philosophy was to keep it under 65 mph, no a/c, drove the 40 miles and arrived having used 40%.

After our visit we decided to head home and not overly mind the mph but keep it down with an occasional burst to 70 mph, run the a/c, etc for the 40 mile ride. We arrived home having used 40% of our battery charge! 20% left.

Space X is Space Exploration Technologies, founded by Elon Musk who is also responsible for the Tesla electric car.

We not only toured the entire manufacturing facility (800,000 lb thrust rocket motors, etc) but saw in the back of the building, in a little white tent, the first Tesla roadster along side two Model S prototype cars! A wonderful facility, where Boeing used to assemble 747's, is now Spacex where alongside rocket engines they are building the prototype Teslas completely in house!

All of this right here in Southern California, privately funded.

As we finished the tour, everyone wanted to see the Mini E. Soon the entire Tesla design team had spilled out of the building to surround our Mini E, inspect it and ask questions about range, performance, how we liked driving it etc, etc.

Talking with the youthful Tesla engineers and designers was truely a joy and I felt the passion they feel for what they are doing and the happiness they felt to see another electric car on the road, we all agreed that once you drive Electric, you don't want to go back to gas!

109.8 miles!

2009-06-18T22:00:00.001-07:00

Today I made my longest round trip yet in the Mini E.

Starting out about 9am, in normally heavy LA morning traffic, I had decided my strategy would be to keep my speed under 60 mph when traffic flowed, use the regenerative braking whenever possible and utilize the gradual inclines and declines I really hadn't paid much attention to before. As I flowed with the stop and go traffic, I actually watched at one point as the battery readout read 58% fluctuated and improved to 63% as I used the regenerative braking. This happened repeatedly.

Arrived for my meeting at FOX at 52 miles with 51% charge left.

Returning to my parked car I was nervous, I had 51 % to get home, I might make it, might not.

I drove 8 miles to Marina Del Rey, to a friends Studio, where I knew there was a charger. They have a car coming, arrives next Monday.

So, at 60 miles, 48% charge left, I borrowed some juice, after a nice tour of the Studio, chat about cars in general and Mini E in particular with a lot of very nice people on lunch break, a one and half hour charge brought me to 80%.

I then headed safely home. I arrived home having traveled 109.8 miles having 29% charge left.

Simple math 80-29=51% (what it took to get home), add the 49% (I used to get to the meeting) = 100%.

Maybe I cheated by getting a touch up mid course but I wasn't sure I would make it and the opportunity to charge was there.

I really don't think you can count on more than 1% per mile and generally less especially in Southern California but the regen does seem to help and I think mileage really benefits from heavy traffic. (a new way of looking at rush hour)

All's well that ends well, another successful day in the life of COOPER E 230, and our horizons continue to broaden.

First long run to Hollywood.

2009-06-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I am making my first long run into Hollywood then Marina Del Rey from Newport Beach (about 65 miles one way).
I need to do a meeting in town, something I used to do every day, 130 miles round trip,
since I am getting 80 to 100 miles per charge, it will be difficult to get there and back on one charge. I am determined to do it, however, I really hate driving anything else at this point.

Shannon at New Deal Studios has graciously offered her charger for a brush up before I attempt the run home, so after my meeting at FOX I will cross town to Marina Del Rey and get an hours worth of juice at New Deal. Planning to be there during 'Rush' hour, I'll have my laptop, so all is not lost (I could be sitting on the freeway). It's really kind of fun having to plan your moves a little more than normal, think about range, strategy, timing, desirability of certain routes over others, etc., whatever makes your day, huh.

So, I'll let you know how it went, hopefully I won't have to make the 'call'.

2009-06-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Show me yours - I'll show you mine!

Thanks Todd! The Ultimate Charging Station!

2009-06-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.speedandmotion.com/pictures/teslameet/slides/DSC_3998.html

Second Week 6/13/09

2009-06-13T19:04:00.000-07:00

Today I put 50 miles on COOPER E, a wonderful drive up Pacific Coast Hiway (PCH) to Long Beach to visit friends. Saw #140 in Belmont Shore, my first sighting of another Mini E, did a double take as I passed by and saw it parked at the curb.

A few more test drivers today and I am noticing the recurrence of some initial concerns people have as they realize it is an ALL Electric car, not Hybrid.

First concern is Range. Really, how many people drive an excess of 50 miles a day to work?

I used to drive 55 miles, thats 110 Round Trip and after 5 years it nearly killed me. Even that was theoretically in the range of this car.

Today, however, most of the work I do is done at home, digitally delivered, and I find I am averaging no more, many less, than 50 or 60 miles daily (some of which is just because COOPER E is so much fun to drive) waiting till off peak hours, plug in before bed and wake up to a full tank in the morning, it's so easy!

Funny, what seems to concern some people most about driving an electric car,

(before they ride in or drive the car), is that they think they will miss the sound of the engine, the exhaust note, the engine rev cues.

Only after they get in the car and feel the acceleration, experience silently gliding and instantly accelerating from speed to pass, hearing only wind noise and tires wearing on the road, the performance is so overwhelming, sound is no longer important.

They exit the car saying.."this IS the future!"

Because we are used to it, the sound of cylinders exploding and sending gases thru the exhaust is what we associate with speed. Once you feel what the electric car can do, drive it, feel the tremendous performance, the joy of driving cleanly leaving NO noise pollution or fumes behind, its so exhilarating the sound no longer matters.

Eventually it seems the proof lies simply in a short test drive, demonstration of the fact you can do all that which a gasoline driven car can, with this alternative, renewable source of power that is accessible through wind, solar, geothermal, hydraulic generation, non of which use up non-renewable resources.

The infrastructure for the delivery of electricity already exists, we all have electric power in our homes.

How many of us drive further than 50 miles to work each day?

We CAN do Electric Cars NOW, take the time, continue developing other fuels, Hydrogen, Fuel Cell, etc., systems requiring development of entirely new delivery infrastructures but get the Electric Car on the road now.

Begin the process of replacing Dinosaur Fuels today, for me it feels REALLY good.

Can you imagine what the very near future could be?

Test drive an Electric Car, it IS the future and it is HERE today!

Soon they will be affordable and available if we really show them we want them!

Friday Night 6/12/09

2009-06-12T21:58:00.000-07:00

Short trips today, actually had to get the Diesel Dinosaur out to go to Costco and get groceries with my wife and friend Rachel, 3 people and Costco stuff equals more than we can fit in the Mini E. But thats OK, I needed to run the truck as it hasn't been driven in two weeks!

It was a little strange being back in the truck, it feels BIG first of all, steering feels loose and 'forgiving' compared to the tight responsive Mini, perhaps the thing you miss most is Regenerative braking, oh yeah I have to brake!

Tomorrow I will get up early take the Mini out and run over to 'Donut derelicts' again as I had a good time last week.

If your in the neighborhood stop by, Adams and Magnolia, Huntington Beach, 6am to 9am.

Wednesday Night 6/10/2009

2009-06-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

Only 18 miles today, Jamie has it tonight so he'll add more.

It'll be interesting to see what running the headlights does to power consumption.

The car is so quick and so much fun to drive, I wonder if they will be curious about the extreme G forces they will find when they download the information from the recorder that is rumored to be installed in the car?

ODO: 00469

Test Rides: 2

Test Drivers: 1

These are my Two favorite rides.

2009-06-10T15:38:00.000-07:00

The F250 Diesel is for Long distance travel and Hauling Things.

The Mini E (COOPER E) is for running around town and Hauling Asss!

Running around town is about 80+% of my annual driving so its going to be great eliminating the purchase of that much oil and Diesel.

COOPER E is more fun to drive!

Old Pics

2009-06-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

Those were old pics I had already put up on the Facebook site "Mini E".

After reading some of the other posts in the field trial program, I probably should be a bit more detailed in my driving impressions but I'd rather be out there driving so if you want to ask questions, suggest events for us to bring it to, take a test ride, make a comment here and we can probably arrange something. I absolutely LOVE driving this car, it is so Guilt Free to be cruising on clean power!

Delivery day 5/30/09, loaded with groceries, charging station.

2009-06-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Midweek Report 6/10/09

2009-06-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

Driving COOPER E 230 about 60 - 70 miles a day, plenty left over to easily get home. Warning came on once at 60 miles saying I had 27 miles to go.

It seems (perhaps because of my lead foot) I am getting about 80 miles clear range and change.

The car performs so well that it's hard to stay off it and drive 'conservatively'.

Sorry to hear of problems on two of the other cars but I guess we should expect that on an 'experimental' project. I'm thinking my relatively high number (230) might be a blessing as it would be in the middle of the production run.

230 (knock on wood) has been flawless so far and is truely a JOY to drive!

Everyone I take for a ride wants to drive him and after driving, wants to get one!

Bye the way, him, COOPER 230, is not a girl!

Second Week-Monday June 8, 2009

2009-06-08T21:45:00.000-07:00

The beginning of the week, 45 miles today, 50%, meetings, Doctor visit, Funeral, home.

My son Jamie is running off the other 50% of the charge tonight with a friend.

Uneventful day except that it is still such a pleasure to drive!

Test drivers: 2

ODO: 330 mi

Kwh: 67

gas/Diesel: 0

Mustang 'encounter'

2009-06-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Cruising along (I won't say where) last evening a Mustang (white with Cobra stripes) pulled out of a side street and roaring through finely tuned exhaust notes, smoothly shifting through the gears, it was obvious he intended to first to arrive wherever he was going .

As he pulled away I noticed there was no one else on the road so I decided to see how long I could match his speed.

I quietly pulled along side as he shifted through to 4th gear, blissfully filling the night air with sound (and fumes).

At speed (I won't say what) he glanced left..... I was still there, silent, gliding, to the left of the 'beast'.

I smiled, holding tight the steering wheel, I punched the accelerator and zoomed ahead, almost frighteningly quick.

As the lights of the Mustang fell away in the rearview I began at first to chuckle, then Laughing Out Loud said, "WOW!"

'Donut Derelicts' appearance

2009-06-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday morning at 'Donut Derelicts', the famous gathering of Classic Hot Rods in Huntington Beach at Adams and Magnolia every Saturday morning from 6 to 9 am, I decided to take COOPER E and see if there was any interest.

Having arrived a little after 6 am I found there was no place to park in the rows of shining beautiful Rods on display (about 200) so after silently cruising the line I found a tiny spot at the end no other car could fit in to.

I backed in and before I could exit the car, the first question "that a Hybrid?" I answered "Nope...Electric" "Really...All Electric?" "Yep".

Soon the word spread as I opened the hood and people were coming from the other side of the parking lot who had heard there was "an electric car over there". I was surrounded with questions, smiles, eager to hear about the experience I am having.

Normally, on the road, no one even notices anything different about the car, but in this case, cruising slowly, silently though the lineup of exotic customs caught the attention of some and the word spread very quickly.

I never got my donuts and coffee, next week I will take someone along so I can have some time to admire the other cars and enjoy some Coffee.

Fun Meter: still off the chart!