Hand over event

Deutsche Version

So finally today the hand over of the cars was celebrated in a ceremony at Munichs Odeonsplatz and the Residenz. It was  a mind-blowing feeling to know that one of the cars parked at the place will be soon my primary means of transportation.

MINI Es at the Odeonsplatz

Between bites, cappuccino and talks to other prospective MINI E users I got the key and the contract documents. The car with the number 014 should be my future set of wheels.

Where is  #014?

Found!

Equipped with the key I could get a first impression of "my" MINI. The car was not a new car. It was one of those that already had a one year lease period in the USA. It was overhauled before beeing part of the new project.

The mileage was 11476 km (7132 mi).

Mileage.

Soon after the program started on the specially built stage at the Odeon Square with speakers from politics and from the project partners.
Unfortunately the weather was pretty cloudy, wet and windy, so it was difficult for the relatively few guests both holding the umbrella (which was by courtesy of the project) AND donating appropriate applause.

an example for both politics and project partners: Munichs mayor  Ude und BMWs member of the management board  Dräger

From the 40 MINI E the Bavarian Red Cross received 10 cars, 26 cars went to private users and 4 remained at the project partners.

On the stage there was a key hand over ceremony to a representative of the Red Cross as a carfleet user and to a representative of the private MINI E users (a photogenic lady with a daily commute of 54 km (33,5 mi) for the single distance).
In the end every speaker took part in a photo shooting demonstrating the "refueling" of a BMW MINI E at a charging station of SIEMENS, powerd by the SWM in MUNICH and subsidized by the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

Potoshooting

An official version can be seen at:
http://www.siemens.com/press/de/events/corporate/2010-09-emobility.php

What a coincident, at the street beside the event two cars were parked which represent also for the uncompromising e-mobility without restrictions (except range).

Tesla shows presence.

The first trip from Odeons square to my home was without any problems and was pretty fun.
Nevertheless #014s first practical test was imminent. 75km (46mi) to the home of my parents, predominately German autobahn.

SOC was at 80%, so I plugged the car to the new wallbox in the garage. It took 10kWh to achieve SOC of 100%. Estimated range was at 130km (80mi) which seemed to be sufficient to dare the journey.

First I was driving very cautious and keeping an eye on the SOC, which was rapidely moving. But the estimated range always had a safe surplus to the distance to destination.
So my driving became more briskly and I remembered one of the numerous "rate-the-following-statement"-style questions that was: I have convidence in the display of the estimated range. I answered by putting a check mark to: I largely agree.
So I should do so...
In short, despite a travelling speed between 120-140km/h (74-87 mph) and some 152 km/h (95mph) -peaks I arrived with a estimated range of 48km (30mi). So #014 passed its first test.