Want to Test-Drive an Electric Car?
Tenants can test-drive a brand new electronic car – the BMW Mini E – any lunchtime, its new owner, landlord Brian Folb says.
Folb spoke to PCD News about the car he calls “Max” and his continued desire for both 6464 and 6565 buildings to be environmentally responsible…
Landlord Brian Folb with the New Mini E
Nice electronic car, Brian!
Thanks. If any tenants want to try it out during a lunch break at the office, call me up and I’d be happy to let them take it for a spin.
How is the Mini E different from a normal car?
The unique thing about this car is that it’s a standard two-door mini but with an electronic motor powered by lithium batteries. The batteries go where rear seats would normally have been. They’re kind of like cell phone batteries back there. There are actually 5,088 lithium cells grouped into 48 modules.
How did you come to get the car in the first place?
BMW was leasing out 450 of these cars – 225 in California and 225 in New York. The people who get to lease them from BMW are considered environmental “pioneers.” We had to apply to BMW to show we are outspoken about the environment and that we would put the word out that this will be the new technology. I am driving No. 86 of 450. So I call it “Max” in reference to Maxwell Smart, Agent 86 from the 1960s TV series, Get Smart. I get the car for a year at which point I’ll have to give it back to BMW.
Why are you so supportive of electronic cars?
It comes from my desire to be on the cutting edge of new technology in everything that we do. We also want to make a statement of being environmentally responsible. We are trying to get off fossil fuels, we’re trying to get off more pollution and we’re trying to create more jobs in this country. So we want to create some opportunity where electric-powered cars can be manufactured and developed here.
How fast can the car go?
Those batteries generate a tremendous amount of power. The car can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 6.5 seconds. It’s as fast as any of the pretty high-powered sports cars out there. The Mini electric motor puts out about 200 HP & 220 Nm of torque.
How do you charge it?
It’s like a cell phone. You plug it in at night and it’s good to go the next day. As long as you don’t go more than 100 miles, it’s fine. I have a 32 amp charging system installed at my home. It came as part of BMW’s package. That allows for a full four-hour charge. There is a 50 amp charger that does it in 2.5 – 3 hours. BMW also provides you with a 110 conversion plug. It allows you the option to travel an extended range if you can wait about 18-24 hours (depending on conditions) to complete a full recharge. When it’s extremely hot it takes longer due to the battery cooling fans that go on when the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees.
What will tenants who take it for a test spin notice when they first drive it?
There is a lot of power and a lot of torque. But the main noticeable difference from driving a normal car is that you don’t need to put on the brakes. The unique design of the braking means the car automatically slows down when you take your foot off the throttle. When you do that, the car is regenerating the batteries by resistance as the car slows down. So if you drive around the corner, you just take your foot off the gas. There’s no real need to put your foot on the brake at all.
Is the car more effective on freeways or streets?
This car is really designed for urban commuting – for stop-and-go driving. You are going to get the most benefit out of this by driving in the city rather than driving the freeway.
How many miles can you get out of the car and how often do you have to recharge it?
It all depends on the battery system. This particular car is designed to go 100 to 130 miles. It depends on your driving technique and style and the terrain. If you are driving hard on the freeway at 80mph you will probably get closer to 100 miles. If you are driving in the city and taking advantage of the regenerative braking, you’ll probably get 120 or 130 miles.
What does it retail for?
This is a custom-made car so they are estimating the value at about US$50,000. But that price should come down significantly once they are able to mass produce the battery packs, probably more in line with the pricing of a standard internal combustion Mini, which is around US$30,000 fairly well equipped. The most expensive part of the car is the battery packs. The motor is simple technology and fairly inexpensive to build.
What do people say to you when they notice it’s an electronic car?
People always ask me, “How do you charge it? That’s an electric car? How far can you go? How fast is it? That’s cool!” People relate electrical vehicles to golf carts. They think it’s slow and like a toy and unlike a real car. But let me promise you, this is far from a toy. This is a fun little sports car and you have to be on your game to play with it.
To take the Mini E for a test run, contact:
Brian Folb
Paramount Contractors & Developers, Inc.6464 Sunset Blvd., Suite 700
Hollywood, CA 90028
323 462 6727
brian@hollywoodoffices.com
