All-electric mini's up for lease.

[Firestormalpha]

Just a little break from the political crust that seems to have formed on the forums.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27360847

BMW is jumping into — OK it's actually more like testing — the market for all-electric vehicles with its Mini brand, announcing a pilot project to lease 500 completely electric Minis in California, New Jersey and New York. "By introducing the Mini E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic," the company said in a statement ahead of the car's debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Nov. 19-20. The specs aren't bad: a lithium-ion battery range of 150 miles, a top speed of 95 mph and 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds.

But at $850/month in lease, will it move?

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Obviously this is a year old. ..wonder where they're at with now..

I'm sure CA they'll get people onto it. There are lots of actors etc that are going green.

[Firestormalpha]

I believe they just redid the article because the day to kick-off the leasing is Nov. 16-19 and they're probably trying to boost publicity.

[Ilander]

I would seriously do some crazy things for an electric vehicle...but $850/mo is cost prohibitive, especially on a lease, since there will be outlandish mileage restraints.

I wouldn't pay that for the vehicle unless I could purchase it...and I'm certainly in no position to purchase it, so this vehicle remains in the purview or wealthy envirocrats.