Mini Cooper EV to be sold at WalMart

[craig.dusing]

Don't know if this has been posted or discussed before, but I just saw this article on MSN regarding Mini Cooper EV's converted by Hybrid Technologies to be sold at WalMart in 2008.  Not sure I understood the price point; either I'm having a brain fade or there's conflicting pricing information in the article.

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=440939

[todd.dore]

Here is the link to the web page for Hybrid Technologies.  You can order the electric mini-cooper.  Starting price is $65k.  A little steep for probably all of the club members.

However, are these guys for real?

Rich Carroll - what do you think?

http://www.hybridtechnologies.com/

[terry.kane]

You're right, Craig, the article is not as clear as it could be.  However, I think the answer is contained there upon careful reading.  They are, in fact, going to sell the Mini Cooper version for about $65,000.  This is a brand-new MC that HT strips the ICE out of and replaces the drivetrain with LiIon battery/EV drive.

They are planning a $35,000 BEV version of the smart FourTwo.  The article explains how they have a deal with smart to get 'coasters' with no ICE and, I believe, herein lies the large cost savings reflected in the price.

[howard.hansen]

Months ago I found out that the Smart will be sold in the US (I saw a yellow one in Oak Park yesterday) and an EV version will be available in Europe.  I wonder why somebody's converting a new glider to EV since there's a factory version EV. 

[howard.hansen]

I didn't find the website where I contacted the manufacturer/distributor and offered to test & evaluate one of the EVs.  The car does exist. 

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/07/09/technical-details-on-the-smart-fortwo-electric-drive/

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/smart/2007-smart-fortwo-electric-vehicle-ar11018.html