USA Today is reporting that MINI E owners are experiencing recharge times of around 23 hours thanks to not having high voltage cables. Instead some owners are having to use standard wall outlets which is resulting in the longer charge times. MINI USA is telling customers to expect the cables by mid-July. Once they have all the necessary equipment full charging should take no more than four hours.
However in the meantime MINI is waving the $850 lease fee for the 23 MINI E owners who already have their cars.
+ Foulup may mean around-the-clock recharges for Mini E drivers / USA Today
<p>23 hour charge times? Nice to see a small group of MINI people participating in “Let’s Not Motor Day”</p>
<p>It appears they are short on both the 220 and 110 cables. I had my charging station installed bout 3 weeks ago. Got the cable last week and the car 2 days ago. When they delivered the car they told I can expect the 11 cable in July.</p>
<p>They mentioned that they were giving the LA people priority for the 220 cables. So it appears the NY people are getting the 110 cables and we are getting the 220 cables.</p>
<p>One explanation I heard is that there was a delay in getting UL approval on the cables.</p>
<p>So far the car is great. Lots of power. The torque steer is pretty dramatic. It’s fun for me, scary for the wife. I could see it being dangerous without the traction control.</p>
<p>Plugging and unplugging your car every time you enter or leave your garage will get old fast. Is anyone working on a system to automatically do this? Perhaps something like a drive on ramp that engages a mechanical/electrical connection on the underside of the car. A system that is made standard by several car companies. It should also include a payment system so it could be installed in public parking lots and charge the owner for electicity used.</p>
<p>I think it would be neat to have the plug attach like the magnetic power chords on Macbook Pros so you don’t take the wall unit with you if you accidentally pull away. The downside you be the major electric power just sitting at the end of the chord….</p>
<p>problem could be resolved</p>
<p>It just needs to auto-dock like a Roomba. :)</p>
<p>And I wouldn’t want the magnetic power cord like a Macbook, too fragile. I’d rather use a magnetic power cord like they’ve used for much longer on electric kitchen appliances w/the removable cord (fryers, skillets, etc).</p>