There’s a widely held perception that you have to spend a lot of money to own a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), but that reality is quickly becoming a thing of the past! At Schomp MINI, we’re looking to the future, and let us tell you, the future is ELECTRIC!

The legendary design and all-electric power of the 2022 MINI Electric Hardtop 2 Door has been updated with fresh technological and stylish features. Fully loaded with more standard premium features, the MINI Electric drive is even more fun than before. And the best part? Pricing starts at just $29,900!

Surveys show that drivers who have driven electric cars or trucks find that they love the fast acceleration, smooth handling, and quiet ride of electric vehicles. But according to Cars.com research, “The primary obstacles preventing consumers from buying electric vehicles are cost (34%), limited range (32%) and a lack of charging stations (32%).”

True – EVs’ sticker prices often look high. Considering all factors, they actually could cost less than comparable gas-powered vehicles, especially the longer and farther they are driven.

Considerable research backs up these conclusions, done on a state-by-state basis. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (based outside of Denver) and the Idaho National Lab found that over a 15-year lifespan, it could cost up to $14,500 less to run a BEV than fueling a comparable gas-powered vehicle.

The research included per-mile costs, electric tariffs, and costs of charging equipment and used the 2020 average of 15 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), assuming that 81 percent of the charging was done at home, 14 percent at a workplace or public charger, and five percent with a DC fast charger.

• Maintenance costs? The Department of Energy estimates regularly scheduled maintenance for a BEV at 6.1 cents per mile, compared to 10.1 cents per mile for internal combustion engines (ICEs). Costs are just a little higher for PHEVs and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), but still lower than ICEs.

• What about batteries? Most manufacturers warranty batteries for at least eight years or 100,000 miles and also offer what’s called “battery degradation coverage.”

• Trade-in value? Newer electric vehicles – ones with ranges exceeding 200 miles – seem to be holding their value as well as their ICE counterparts, and with battery technology rapidly improving, they will improve in value.

Research your own savings at the federal government’s Alternative Fuels Data Center. It’s the government’s one-stop source for information about costs, vehicles, charging locations, and more. A lot of other information and answers to questions is widely available.

To fight climate change and air pollution, several states are planning to ban ICE sales in the future – some as early as 2030. Manufacturers are responding with plans to either stop manufacturing ICEs or vastly increase their BEV and PHEV offerings. The recently passed federal infrastructure bill should provide a boost, as would the proposed Build Back Better Act.

Electric vehicles are on a fast track to be not only affordable but also to be accessible to all consumers who want one.

We’re now taking custom orders for the 2022 MINI Electric Hardtop 2 Door at Schomp MINI so you can get a MINI that is perfect for you and great for the environment. These cars have an estimated 114-mile range per full charge, can perform a quick charge to 80% in just 36 minutes, boasts 181 horsepower, and give you access to over 38,000 charging stations. With so many reasons to go electric, what are you waiting for? Visit Schomp MINI to start your order today!