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BMW to Zap Calif. With 500 Electric Minis

Test will comply with state law requiring automakers to offer no-emission vehicles

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2008 4:26 PM CDT

(Newser) – BMW will roll out an electric model of its iconic Mini in California, which has mandated that automakers in the state must offer no-emission alternatives, reports Automotive News. The cars will be mostly assembled in BMW's England plant, but sent to Munich for electric powertrains. The initial 500 electric Minis will be leased and are the brain child of BMW's new division, Project i, which is developing low-emission city cars.

Britain's Competitiveness Minister Stephen Timms speaks for the launch of the new Mini Clubman at the BMW plant in Oxford.
Britain's Competitiveness Minister Stephen Timms speaks for the launch of the new Mini Clubman at the BMW plant in Oxford.   (AP Photo)
The company logo shines off the hood of an unsold 2007 5-series sedan at a BMW dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.
The company logo shines off the hood of an unsold 2007 5-series sedan at a BMW dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., on Sunday, Sept. 2, 2007.   (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The 2004 (non-electric) Mini Cooper S.
The 2004 (non-electric) Mini Cooper S.   (KRT Photos)
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