I’m off to Clarens this weekend to celebrate MINI’s 50th birthday and the launch of the new Mayfair and Camden special editions. While you’ll have to wait for the November issue of Drive to read all about MINI’s magical 50 years, we do have some fresh news on the latest MINI derivative to hit the streets, albeit only in Europe thus far: the MINI E.

MINI has launched a trial fleet of pollution-free MINI Es in the UK as it announced a deal struck with Marks & Spencer to supply electricity charging points for MINI E customers. The MINI E’s electric drive powers it to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds with a limited top speed of 150km/h. The beauty however lies in how cheap it is to run the car. According to MINI, the E can manage up to 240 kilometres on a charge, which equates to a cost (in the UK) of one penny per mile.

Twenty guinea pig drivers in the UK will use the cars for six months, with home chargers installed in their garages. Each driver has committed to doing at least 480 kilometres of driving per month and to have their motoring and charging habits monitored. Smart meters will also track charging and usage patterns to help power firms and MINI plan for the future.

The MINI’s heavy-duty battery delivers its power to an electric motor, which is mounted under the bonnet. Each car can fully charge in around four and a half hours for as little as £1.50 if juiced up overnight at off-peak rates (or £4 at peak time). On a full charge it has a range of around 160 kilometres, but that can increase to 240 in ideal conditions.

Yet few are prepared for the blistering performance – like a supercharged but silent electric go-kart! There are only two pedals – the accelerator and the brake – and just one continuously variable gear. Only the slight whirr of the electric motor gives away the game that this is no ordinary MINI.

Based on the current MINI hatchback, the downside of the two-door MINI E is the loss of the two rear seats to make way for the massive lithium ion battery, plus the tiny boot which is just about big enough for two lap-top cases. The batteries are based on technologies-proven in power units for mobiles and portable computers.

The MINI E proves that you do not need to create otherworldly-looking vehicles to draw attention to the green technologies used!