Friday, September 23, 2011
Just passed 45k miles....ActiveE just around the corner.
Life has been a blur lately between our little girl starting Kindergarten and work. The MINI E continues to run great and I just passed 45k miles. I can't believe it's already been almost 2 1/2 years with the MINI E. Heck, that's half our daughter's life. I never thought I'd be driving an electric car full time and enjoying it so much. Thanks to BMW, that's now a reality. And the best part, the time saved by not gassing up the car, changing the oil, getting tune ups, driving in the carpool lane etc has been fantastic. The other thing that's fantastic is the upcoming ActiveE. 700 cars will soon be on the road. We look forward to driving one of those 700 cars for two years and then on to the i3. The future is quite exciting!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
MINI E rolls along awaiting the ActiveE
Everything's been great with the MINI E. Other than a quick one day trip in to the dealer for a battery fan replacement, it's been trouble free. Approaching 44k gas free miles.
A few months back Tom Moloughney, Peder Norby and myself participated in a video shoot for BMW. You can see the full pieces by clicking here.
Yesterday BMW released some more footage from this shoot also featuring the three of us. You can view those clips by clicking here.
It's been a blast participating in the MINI E Field Trial. It's given me an entirely new perspective on mobility. I look forward to continuing the journey with the upcoming ActiveE and then on to the BMWi3.
A few months back Tom Moloughney, Peder Norby and myself participated in a video shoot for BMW. You can see the full pieces by clicking here.
Yesterday BMW released some more footage from this shoot also featuring the three of us. You can view those clips by clicking here.
It's been a blast participating in the MINI E Field Trial. It's given me an entirely new perspective on mobility. I look forward to continuing the journey with the upcoming ActiveE and then on to the BMWi3.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Can't believe 2 years have past already....
Saturday May 30th 2009 we picked up #140 at Long Beach MINI in Long Beach, CA. What a fun two years it's been. Almost 40,000 miles later, the folks we've met and the joy we've had from driving gasoline free is hard to put into words.
Tom Moloughney and Peder Norby both posted a wonderful wrap up of their two year experience on the BMW Activate The Future website. Rather than repeat what they've said, I'll hit a few other points.
Our daughter was 3 1/2 when we picked up #140. Her eyes lit up like Christmas morning when Kari and I returned home with the car. I'd been telling her about it for weeks, showing her pictures online and needless to say she was as excited as we were to take delivery.
A little back story on Hailey, she's Daddy's little girl, and we're both very blessed to have her in our life. Each day since she started walking, she would zip to the garage the moment she'd hear the garage door start to open, stand in the doorway waiting for me to back in to the garage and then run over to give me a hug. She was always very good and wouldn't budge from the door way till I had our Ford Freestyle SUV fully parked and then once I turned off the ignition, she'd run to give me a hug. Unfortunately, I would have to hustle her back in to the house as the garage was full of exhaust and the last thing I wanted was for her to be breathing exhaust. Once the MINI E arrived that all changed. No exhaust. Hailey immediately made the connection with no prodding from us and quickly started saying she no longer wanted to ride in "stinky gas cars." Since that first day, Hailey's rode in the MINI E countless times and every time she has a big smile just like her Dad.
I'd heard that the older you get, the faster life goes by and when you have a child, watch out. I quickly discovered this is indeed the case and time becomes more and more precious. What does this have to do with driving the MINI E? Well, in our Ford, every two to three days I'd stop by a gas station. Each stop took me 15 or so minutes between filling up, getting back on the freeway and continuing on my way. With the MINI E, I leave the house every day with a full tank and those 15 minutes are now spent with my family. Not breathing fumes while filling up is an added bonus.
Before the MINI E, I dreaded my daily commute. Now, it brings a smile to my face. The instant torque and quietness provides an exhilarating, put you back in your seat driving experience. The strong regen braking allows you to use just one pedal most of the time. One pedal driving that isn't a golf cart...Wow! (and yes the brake lights pop on when the regen kicks in) No gears mean no hesitation or jerking around...just smooth acceleration until you ease off the pedal. This combined with the thumbs up I receive from other drivers makes driving a joy.
Finally, knowing that I've played a small part in showing other folks that yes, it's possible to drive an electric vehicle on a daily basis for most of your driving and that a whole generation of upcoming drivers will have the option of choosing to drive electric, has made it a privilege to have taken part in the MINI E test program.
Tom Moloughney and Peder Norby both posted a wonderful wrap up of their two year experience on the BMW Activate The Future website. Rather than repeat what they've said, I'll hit a few other points.
Our daughter was 3 1/2 when we picked up #140. Her eyes lit up like Christmas morning when Kari and I returned home with the car. I'd been telling her about it for weeks, showing her pictures online and needless to say she was as excited as we were to take delivery.
A little back story on Hailey, she's Daddy's little girl, and we're both very blessed to have her in our life. Each day since she started walking, she would zip to the garage the moment she'd hear the garage door start to open, stand in the doorway waiting for me to back in to the garage and then run over to give me a hug. She was always very good and wouldn't budge from the door way till I had our Ford Freestyle SUV fully parked and then once I turned off the ignition, she'd run to give me a hug. Unfortunately, I would have to hustle her back in to the house as the garage was full of exhaust and the last thing I wanted was for her to be breathing exhaust. Once the MINI E arrived that all changed. No exhaust. Hailey immediately made the connection with no prodding from us and quickly started saying she no longer wanted to ride in "stinky gas cars." Since that first day, Hailey's rode in the MINI E countless times and every time she has a big smile just like her Dad.
I'd heard that the older you get, the faster life goes by and when you have a child, watch out. I quickly discovered this is indeed the case and time becomes more and more precious. What does this have to do with driving the MINI E? Well, in our Ford, every two to three days I'd stop by a gas station. Each stop took me 15 or so minutes between filling up, getting back on the freeway and continuing on my way. With the MINI E, I leave the house every day with a full tank and those 15 minutes are now spent with my family. Not breathing fumes while filling up is an added bonus.
Before the MINI E, I dreaded my daily commute. Now, it brings a smile to my face. The instant torque and quietness provides an exhilarating, put you back in your seat driving experience. The strong regen braking allows you to use just one pedal most of the time. One pedal driving that isn't a golf cart...Wow! (and yes the brake lights pop on when the regen kicks in) No gears mean no hesitation or jerking around...just smooth acceleration until you ease off the pedal. This combined with the thumbs up I receive from other drivers makes driving a joy.
Finally, knowing that I've played a small part in showing other folks that yes, it's possible to drive an electric vehicle on a daily basis for most of your driving and that a whole generation of upcoming drivers will have the option of choosing to drive electric, has made it a privilege to have taken part in the MINI E test program.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
BMW ActiveE Lease FAQ :)
As the miles climb, now at 38,200, we look forward to the upcoming ActiveE. Today BMW sent out a FAQ with answers to many questions. Double click each page to enlarge.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
35,500 miles and in for scheduled service
Dropped off the MINI at Long Beach MINI in Long Beach, CA this morning. It's in for it's scheduled service. Almost 1000 miles past due I think. Life has been so busy of late, it's been tough to schedule a visit. The MINI E has become such a part of the family sort of speak, we use it for everything possible. Our gas powered Ford Freestyle sits idle in the garage 99% of the time collecting dust.
Quick note about the loaner I got today. It's a 2011 Clubman with the new MINI Connected system. It's completely different than the old style. The car didn't have a manual and yet within a few minutes I figured out how to pair my Palm Pre, set a few radio stations and check that the daytime running laps and 3 click turn signals were on. Great job MINI in making it intuitive. At first it appeared a little overwhelming but I've driven the car only 4 miles back from the dealership and really like the interface....I of course miss the driving experience of the MINI E. :)
Quick note about the loaner I got today. It's a 2011 Clubman with the new MINI Connected system. It's completely different than the old style. The car didn't have a manual and yet within a few minutes I figured out how to pair my Palm Pre, set a few radio stations and check that the daytime running laps and 3 click turn signals were on. Great job MINI in making it intuitive. At first it appeared a little overwhelming but I've driven the car only 4 miles back from the dealership and really like the interface....I of course miss the driving experience of the MINI E. :)
Friday, March 11, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Just passed 34,000 miles and ActiveE introduced in Geneva
As the miles continue to fly by and as gas prices climb, I'm thrilled they're passing by gas free via electricity. Powered by Edison has a nice ring to it. As much as I love driving the MINI E, I'm really looking forward to the arrival of the ActiveE which will have a backseat and trunk...woo hoo!
Speaking of the BMW ActiveE, Richard Steinberg, Manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy, introduces the car at the Geneva Motor Show in this short video. Click here to view.
Speaking of the BMW ActiveE, Richard Steinberg, Manager of Electric Vehicle Operations and Strategy, introduces the car at the Geneva Motor Show in this short video. Click here to view.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
ActiveE lease to be competitive with the Volt lease?
According to this article on the LA Times blog, the ActiveE lease will be competitive with the current Volt lease. While I'm excited, it'll be great to get some confirmation on this before I jump up and down.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
Official ActiveE Press Release is out!
Click here to read. I've already put in a request for an Android app along with the iPhone app that is mentioned in the the release.
As a reminder, to follow all the latest happenings with the ActiveE be sure to check the forum on a regular basis. Click here to go directly there.
As a reminder, to follow all the latest happenings with the ActiveE be sure to check the forum on a regular basis. Click here to go directly there.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Just released info and photos of the upcoming ActiveE
Check out this article with some new info on the ActiveE. The "gliding mode" sounds interesting.
Here are some official photos too. I see Heated Seats and Rear Sensors...woo hoo! Two of our favorite things.
Here are some official photos too. I see Heated Seats and Rear Sensors...woo hoo! Two of our favorite things.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Carbon Fiber plant in Moses Lake, WA on schedule
As someone who grew up in Kettle Falls, WA it's exciting to see something like this being built in Washington state. Click here to read article. For those not familiar with this plant, this is where the carbon fiber body parts used in the upcoming Megacity vehicle will be manufactured.
Jim O'Donnell shares his thoughts on electric, diesel and the upcoming megacity vehicle.
This is a brief interview from the Wash D.C. Auto Show. Click here to view.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Film #2 is out and BMW shoots down the rumors filling the web!
My last update mentioned a lease only option for the upcoming Megacity vehicle. (official name coming on 2/21/11). That was addressed by BMW who stated that the vehicle will be available just like every other BMW.
If you haven't checked out this cool film series about mobility from BMW Films, click here. A new film is coming out each Tuesday. The second one is out today. Very thought provoking.
If you haven't checked out this cool film series about mobility from BMW Films, click here. A new film is coming out each Tuesday. The second one is out today. Very thought provoking.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
First of four films is up!
The first part in the series "Wherever You Want To Go" has been posted and can be viewed by clicking here.
I had a great time with Tom and Peder discussing the MINI E, the future of mobility and the fun we've all been having driving emission free.
I had a great time with Tom and Peder discussing the MINI E, the future of mobility and the fun we've all been having driving emission free.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
BMW Documentary Series coming soon!
Had a great time yesterday participating in a BMW Documentary that will soon debut as a four part series. Tom Moloughney, Peder Norby and myself were interviewed atop a parking garage in Hollywood with our cars in the background. Check out this trailer for the series. While we don't appear in the trailer, we'll appear as part of the series.
Tom took this picture of Peder Norby and myself at the shoot.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Check out the new BMW Forum!
BMW has set up an official forum to discuss the MINI E, ActiveE and upcoming Megacity vehicle. It's open to anyone who'd like to join. Click here to check it out.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Crossed the 30,000 mile mark
2010 ended with #140 crossing the 30,000 mile mark. Wow, how time has flown in the MINI E. As I've said before in this blog, I can't imagine a day where I go back to a gas powered car as my only vehicle.
In other news, as one who grew up in Washington State, I've enjoyed following the developments happening in Moses Lake, WA. Check out this article about the carbon fiber plant coming soon to Moses Lake.
This is an exciting time for electric vehicles and I'm thrilled to be playing a small part in BMW's move into the Megacity era.
In other news, as one who grew up in Washington State, I've enjoyed following the developments happening in Moses Lake, WA. Check out this article about the carbon fiber plant coming soon to Moses Lake.
This is an exciting time for electric vehicles and I'm thrilled to be playing a small part in BMW's move into the Megacity era.
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