If you love MINI’s go-kart feel but want the smooth, quiet punch of an EV, an electric MINI is a compelling mix of personality and efficiency. In 2025, MINI finally has a proper electric lineup: the new Cooper SE hatchback, the Countryman SE electric SUV, and the Aceman crossover on the way. This guide breaks down how they drive, how far they really go on a charge, and what to know if you’re considering a new or used electric MINI.
Key takeaway
Electric MINIs are at their best as urban and suburban daily drivers with occasional trips, not as cross-country cruisers. If your typical day is under 60–80 miles, they can be a perfect fit.
Why an electric MINI is different from other EVs
Most EVs try to be all things to all people: big batteries, long range, and plenty of digital flash. A MINI EV comes at the problem from a different angle. The brand leans into compact size, quick responses, and playful design. That means you get a small footprint that’s easy to park, a steering feel that’s more hot hatch than appliance, and a cabin that’s more characterful than clinical.
What makes an electric MINI feel special?
Three traits that stand out vs mainstream EVs
Go-kart handling
Instant punch in the city
Personality, not just pixels
Who electric MINIs suit best
If you mostly drive in town, live in or near a city, or want a second car that’s easy to park and cheap to run, an electric MINI will feel like a big upgrade in everyday livability without giving up driving fun.
Electric MINI lineup in 2025: Cooper SE, Countryman SE, Aceman
By late 2025, MINI’s electric lineup is built around three pillars: the Cooper hatchback, the larger Countryman SUV, and the Aceman crossover. The details differ by market, but the broad picture in the US looks like this.
Electric MINI models in 2025: high-level comparison
Approximate specs based on current global data and early US details. Final EPA figures and trims may vary slightly by market and model year.
| Model | Size/Class | Estimated EPA Range* | Battery (usable) | Drive | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper E (electric) | 3‑door hatch | ~175 mi (est.) | ~40 kWh | FWD | Short urban commutes, single-car households with other long‑range options |
| Cooper SE (electric) | 3‑door hatch | ~210–215 mi (est.) | ~54 kWh | FWD | Drivers who want more range and performance in the same compact package |
| Countryman E | Compact SUV | Around 190–200 mi (est.) | Mid‑size pack | FWD | Small families that mainly drive in town but want SUV practicality |
| Countryman SE ALL4 | Compact SUV | EPA 212 mi (approx.) | High‑50s kWh | AWD | All-weather capability and more space, still city‑friendly size |
| Aceman E/SE (global) | Subcompact crossover | ~190–250 mi WLTP (lower on EPA) | 42–54 kWh | FWD | Drivers who want something between a hatch and SUV, especially in denser cities |
Always check official MINI documentation for the exact specs of the car you’re considering.
EPA vs WLTP range
You’ll see range quoted using both EPA (US) and WLTP (European) test cycles. WLTP numbers are usually higher. When you see 249 miles WLTP for an Aceman SE, expect something closer to ~215–225 miles on the US EPA cycle and less on winter highway trips.
Range, batteries, and real-world driving
Electric MINIs use modestly sized battery packs compared with some larger EVs. That’s part of why they still feel light on their feet. But it also means you need a realistic understanding of how far you’ll go on a charge and how that changes with weather, speed, and time.
Electric MINI range numbers at a glance
On paper, numbers around 200 miles don’t look impressive next to 300‑mile EVs. In practice, for a car that mainly lives in the city and charges at home, that’s often more than enough. The trade-off is that you’ll want to plan around charging more carefully if you regularly drive long highway stretches.
Cold-weather reality check
In a cold US winter, it’s normal for a 200‑mile rated EV to deliver 130–160 miles at highway speeds with heat on. If you live in a northern state and have a long commute, build that buffer into your planning, or consider a larger‑battery EV for primary duty.
Charging an electric MINI at home and on the road
Charging is where the day-to-day reality of owning an electric MINI is made or broken. The good news: their smaller batteries mean you don’t need huge charging power to wake up full every morning. The flip side: DC fast charging speeds are respectable, not record‑breaking, so road trips require a bit of patience.
Home charging: where electric MINIs shine
If you can plug in at home, even a modest Level 2 charger (32–40 amps) can refill a Cooper SE overnight. Think of it as topping off, not refueling from empty every day.
- Level 1 (120V): Adds roughly 3–4 miles of range per hour. Enough for very short commutes.
- Level 2 (240V): Typically 20–30 miles of range per hour on a Cooper or Countryman. A full charge is an overnight thing, not an all‑day wait.
- Smaller packs: Because the batteries aren’t huge, a home charger doesn’t have to work all night to get you back to 100%.
Public and fast charging: fine, but not the headline
New MINI EVs support AC charging around 11 kW and DC fast charging up to roughly 75–95 kW depending on trim. That’s respectable, though well short of the fastest modern EVs.
- 10–80% in ~30 minutes: On a good DC fast charger, expect something in that ballpark when starting low.
- Plan stops around meals: Think of charging as your coffee or lunch break, not a gas‑station-style 5‑minute stop.
- Network choice matters: Apps from ChargePoint, Electrify America, and others make it easier to target reliable locations.
Adapter and plug standards
US-market electric MINIs currently rely on the CCS connector for DC fast charging and J1772/CCS for AC. As the North American Charging Standard (NACS) rolls out more broadly, watch for future MINI models or adapters that let you tap into Tesla’s Supercharger network more seamlessly.
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Charging readiness checklist before you buy an electric MINI
1. Confirm where you’ll charge most nights
If you own or rent a place with dedicated parking and an outlet nearby, an electric MINI is much easier to live with. Relying on public chargers only is possible, but adds complexity.
2. Check your panel and parking situation
If you plan to install a Level 2 charger, have an electrician confirm your electrical panel can support a 240V circuit near your parking spot.
3. Map the nearest fast chargers
Use PlugShare or charger-network apps to find fast chargers near your home, work, and common highway routes. That’s your back‑up plan for unexpected longer trips.
4. Understand your real daily mileage
Look at a typical week’s driving. If you’re rarely over 60–80 miles a day, a Cooper SE’s range will likely feel comfortable with overnight charging.
Running costs: How cheap is an electric MINI to own?
The upfront price of a new electric MINI isn’t low, especially with well-optioned trims, but the running costs can undercut a comparable gas MINI pretty quickly if you drive regularly. You’re trading fuel, oil changes, and some maintenance complexity for electricity and tire wear.
Energy costs vs gasoline
Exact numbers depend on your state’s electricity rates and gas prices, but the broad pattern is clear: per mile, electricity is usually cheaper.
- A Cooper SE using roughly 25 kWh/100 miles at $0.15/kWh costs about $3.75 per 100 miles.
- A comparable gas MINI getting 30 mpg at $3.50/gallon costs about $11.67 per 100 miles.
- Drive 10,000 miles a year and you’re roughly $800–$900 ahead in energy alone.
Maintenance and depreciation
EVs have fewer moving parts: no oil, spark plugs, or exhaust systems. You’re mainly dealing with tires, brakes, coolant, and cabin filters. Over time, that tends to mean lower maintenance spend.
- Maintenance: Fewer consumables than a gas car, though tires can wear faster due to torque and weight.
- Depreciation: Early Cooper SEs depreciated hard due to short range. Newer models with better range should hold value more like mainstream EVs, but the used market is still evolving.
- Incentives: Federal and state incentives change often. For used EVs, there are now targeted tax credits if the car and buyer qualify, which can make a used electric MINI particularly appealing.
Financing and total cost of ownership
When you run the numbers, the best way to compare a gas MINI to an electric MINI is on monthly total cost: payment + insurance + energy + maintenance. Recharged can help you model that for specific cars so you’re not guessing.
Buying a used electric MINI: What to look for
Used electric MINIs, especially early Cooper SE models, are starting to show up at compelling prices. That’s good news if you’re range-flexible and want an affordable, fun EV. But shopping used EVs is different from buying used gas cars, because the battery is such a large chunk of the car’s value.
4 key checks for a used electric MINI
Battery health, charging history, and how the car was used matter more than odometer alone.
1. Battery health, not just mileage
2. Charging behavior
3. Build date vs warranty
4. Use case fit
Don’t buy blind on battery condition
With a used EV, the battery pack is the single most expensive component. If you can’t get a clear, quantified view of battery health, you’re making a five‑figure bet on a guess.
How Recharged simplifies buying a used electric MINI
This is exactly the gap Recharged exists to fill. The used EV market can be opaque: listings rarely show detailed battery information, and most traditional dealerships don’t have EV‑specific diagnostics or expertise. If you’re eyeing a used electric MINI, you want more than a quick test drive and a clean Carfax.
What you get with a used MINI EV from Recharged
Recharged Score battery health diagnostics
Every vehicle on Recharged comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery health. That means you see how the pack is performing relative to when it was new, not just a generic state-of-charge readout.
Transparent, data-backed pricing
Because we factor real battery health into pricing, you’re not overpaying for a tired pack, or missing a deal on a car with strong battery performance but high mileage.
EV-specialist support, not generic sales talk
Our team lives and breathes EVs. If you’re comparing a Cooper SE to, say, a Nissan Leaf or a Chevy Bolt, we can walk you through range, charging, and long-term cost differences in plain language.
Digital-first experience with nationwide reach
You can browse, finance, arrange trade‑in, and schedule delivery fully online. If you’re near Richmond, VA, you can also visit the Recharged Experience Center to get hands‑on time with different EVs.
Putting it together
If you like the idea of a playful, compact EV, a used electric MINI with a strong Recharged Score can deliver premium-feeling character at a mainstream monthly cost, without gambling on the battery.
Electric MINI FAQ
Common questions about electric MINIs
Is an electric MINI right for you?
Different drivers, different answers
City apartment dweller
No guaranteed home charging? An electric MINI is possible, but you’ll need very reliable public charging nearby.
If your building is adding chargers, a Cooper SE makes a lot of sense as a stylish, compact runabout.
Short trips, dense streets, and tight parking all play to MINI’s strengths.
Suburban homeowner
If you can install Level 2 charging in a driveway or garage, an electric MINI can easily cover typical commuting and errand duty.
The Countryman SE ALL4 or Aceman (when available) offer more space without feeling huge.
If you do regular long‑distance family road trips, consider whether you want this as a second car alongside a longer‑range vehicle.
Enthusiast driver
If you miss hot hatches, a Cooper SE might surprise you with how lively and tossable it feels.
You won’t win spec-sheet battles on range, but you’ll enjoy every on‑ramp and back road.
Look for lighter wheel/tire options to preserve both ride comfort and efficiency.
Budget-focused shopper
Used early Cooper SEs can deliver EV refinement and MINI character for compact‑car money.
Focus obsessively on <strong>battery health</strong>; a cheap car with a tired pack isn’t a bargain.
Leverage platforms like Recharged that bake battery diagnostics and fair pricing into the process to keep surprises to a minimum.
MINI’s move into EVs doesn’t just bolt a battery into an existing shape, it plays to what the brand already did well: compact size, distinctive design, and a driving experience that still feels special below highway speeds. If your life fits within their range envelope and you have a realistic charging plan, an electric MINI can be one of the most enjoyable ways to go electric. And if you’re shopping used, pairing that character with verified battery health and transparent pricing, like you get with a Recharged Score Report, turns what could be a risky experiment into a confident long-term choice.
