The Mini Electric is an ideal car for many car fans. Combining the popular hatchback’s looks and driving dynamics with a nippy electric powertrain sounds like a great match, and Mini is now building the pure-electric model with a range of 144 miles on a charge and rapid charging capabilities – as you’ll see in this Mini Electric charging guide from Zap-Map.
Official WLTP Range
Mini Electric144 miles
Real-world Range
Mini Electric137 miles
How to charge a Mini Electric
The Mini Electric uses the CCS charging standard, which consists of a combined AC and DC inlet port. The top portion of the inlet is for the Type 2 connector, which is used when charging at home or at public slow and fast AC points. The lower section beneath the Type 2 inlet is used to carry high power during rapid DC charging from a CCS connector. The Mini Electric’s CCS inlet is found on the off-side rear 3/4 panel where you would expect to find a fuel flap.
Mini’s Electric is able to be slow, fast, and rapid charged from public points, depending on network and type of charge unit. In most cases, slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, and fast charging a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable – both of which are usually supplied with the vehicle. For rapid charging, the CCS connector required is tethered to the charging unit.
| Type 2 – Slow & Fast | CCS – Rapid |
|---|---|
 |  |
Charging on AC or DC requires the EV driver to plug the connectors into the correct inlet, after which the car then ‘talks’ to the charging unit to make sure there is a power supply, that there are no faults, and that it is safe to start charging. If charging at private home or workplace charge point, the vehicle then automatically starts charging.
On a public charger, an activation process is required to initiate charging. Depending on the network provider, this may require the use of an RFID card or smartphone app, often linked to an account which has been set up beforehand. Contactless pay-as-you-go units are becoming more common on newer units. Once activated, the units will conduct further connection and account checks before starting to charge the vehicle.
How long does it take to charge a Mini Electric
The following table shows approximately how long it will take to charge a Mini Electric. Times are for a 100% charge for all but rapid charging, which is quoted at the usual 0-80%, as most rapid chargers reduce power before 100% charge to protect the battery and maximise efficiency.
Note that the times shown are only a guide, as very rarely will an EV need to be fully charged from 0%. Other factors that might vary the charging time include ambient temperature, in-vehicle energy loads, any upper and lower charge restrictions to extend battery life and protect against potential damage, and charging rates slowing down as the maximum charge is reached.
| Rapid 50kW | Fast 22kW | Fast 7kW | Slow 3kW |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 mins 0-80% | 3 hours 0-100% | 4.5 hours 0-100% | 11 hours 0-100% |
The Mini Electric is fitted with an 11 kW on-board charger for Type 2 AC charging, in addition to rapid 50 kW DC capability. This means that even when connected to a fast charger with a rated output above 11 kW, the Mini Electric will only be able to charge at 11 kW.
Use Zap-Map’s Home Charging Calculator to estimate charging times for a Mini Electric. The level of battery charge, connector speed, and on-board charger options can be tailored to your requirements for more accurate results.
How much does it cost to charge a Mini Electric?
The table below shows estimates of the cost to charge the Mini Electric’s 32.6 kWh battery at home (on a domestic tariff) or using a rapid charge point. Cost estimates are dependent on the charge remaining, usable battery capacity, and age of battery pack. Cost per mile is calculated using an estimate of real-world range.
| Type | Cost/kWh | Cost to charge | Cost per mile | Home | 16 p/kWh | £5.22 | 3.8 p/mile | Public Rapid | 30 p/kWh to 80% charge | £7.82 | 7.1 p/mile |
|---|
Based on these figures, the Mini Electric’s fuel costs are 4-7 p/mile based on real-world energy usage, the cost depending on the type of charging. In general, home charging provides the cheapest per mile cost, and public rapid charging tends to be around double the cost. These costs compare favourably with the 12-15 p/mile for conventional petrol and diesel cars.
To find the cost and times to charge an EV on a public charge point, Zap-Map’s Public Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. The results can be personalised for different electricity costs and the level of charge required.
Charging a Mini Electric at home
Charging at home is often the most convenient and cost effective way to recharge an EV. Government grants are available for the installation of home EV charge points, and a large number of companies offer a fully installed charge point for a fixed price.
Most home chargers are either rated at 3 kW or 7 kW. The higher powered wall-mounted units normally cost more than the slower 3 kW option, but halve the time required to fully charge an EV. Many plug-in car manufacturers have deals or partnerships with charge point suppliers, and in some cases provide a free home charge point as part of a new car purchase. However, Zap-Map recommends shopping about beforehand as there are a number of suitable products on the market.
Charging a Mini Electric on public networks
The UK has a large number of public EV charging networks, with some offering national coverage and others only found in a specific region. Major charging networks include bp pulse, GeniePoint, GRIDSERVE, InstaVolt, Osprey, Pod Point and ubitricity.
Payment and access methods across networks vary, with some networks providing an RFID card and others a smartphone app to use their services. While most require an account to be set up before use, some rapid units with contactless PAYG card readers are starting to be installed.
Although many EV charge points are free to use, the majority of fast and rapid chargers require payment. Charging tariffs tend to comprise a flat connection fee, a cost per charging time (pence per hour) and/or a cost per energy consumed (pence per kWh). For more information about network tariffs, visit Zap-Map’s public charge point networks guides.
