Mini has announced plans to unveil two new purely electric vehicles in 2023, including the typical Mini 3-door as well as a crossover model, which will compete in both the small-car and premium compact segments.
Mini published a lengthy “future strategy” late last week in which it outlined its plans for how the company will tackle the complete electrification of its model range by the early 2030s.
First among these announcements is the promise of a new Mini model that will lead “a new generation of purely electrically powered vehicles.” Offered in both a 3-door and crossover model – meaning that the company will be offering the new vehicle in both the small-car and the premium compact segments – the new EV Mini will be presented in 2023.
Mini says it will continue to offer parallel internal combustion engine (ICE) models under the assumption that such vehicles “with highly efficient petrol and diesel engines will continue to be an ideal solution in future for target groups and regions where the mobility requirements are not met or not yet met with all-electric drivetrains”.
But it does expect “that electric vehicles will already make up 50 percent of total global sales of MINI by 2027.” The last model powered with a combustion engine will be introduced in 2025, and by the beginning of the 2030s Mini says it will be an all-electric brand.
Mini also referenced a “new vehicle concept for the premium compact segment”. It is unclear as to whether this is the same premium compact Mini the company intends to unveil in 2023, but it is possible this will be a fourth EV that will incorporate some of the ideas presented last year in the Mini Vision Urbanaut.
In addition to new EVs and a focus on transitioning to a fully electric line-up by the early 2030s, Mini will also begin moving towards increasing the proportion of natural and recyclable materials in its vehicle construction.
This will include a significant increase in the proportion of secondary raw materials used in each vehicles’ construction, increasing proportions of secondary aluminium, and recycled materials used inside the vehicle such as upholstery materials, seats, footmats, and roof liner.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.