The MINI Cooper SE is not just another electric car. It's a symbol of British pride and heritage, a testament to the resilience and innovation of the UK's automotive industry, and a fun and stylish way to drive green.
The MINI Cooper SE is the first fully electric model from MINI, the iconic British brand that has been around since 1959. The car combines the classic design and agile handling of a MINI with the efficiency and sustainability of an electric vehicle. It has a range of up to 145 miles on a single charge, a top speed of 93 mph, and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 seconds.
The MINI Cooper SE electric city car is also made in Britain, at the MINI plant in Oxford, where more than 4,500 workers produce about 1,000 cars a day. The plant has been operating since 2001 and has been adapting to the changing demands and challenges of the global market. In 2023, the plant celebrated its 20th anniversary, and its five millionth car was produced.
But making an electric car in Britain is not easy. The country faces stiff competition from other European countries, such as Germany and France, with more established and supportive policies for electric vehicles. The UK also has to deal with the uncertainties and disruptions caused by Brexit, which has affected trade, supply chains, and regulations.
Despite these difficulties, the MINI plant in Oxford has been preparing for the future of electric mobility. In 2023, BMW Group, which owns MINI, announced that it would invest £100 million in the plant to increase its capacity and flexibility for producing electric models. The investment will also create about 300 new jobs at the plant.
BMW Group also said that it would source more batteries and electric motors from local suppliers in the UK rather than importing them from abroad. This will reduce the carbon footprint of the production process and support the domestic industry.
