This is the Mini E – an electric version of the Mini Cooper which will make its global debut at next month’s Los Angeles Motor Show.

Using a 260kg rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, the Mini E will develop the equivalent of 201bhp and 162lb/ft of pulling power.

With this power, the silent Mini E will accelerate from 0-62mph (100kph) in 8.5 seconds and run on to a limited top speed of 95mph.

When travelling, the Mini E will produce 0g/km of carbon dioxide.

The only emissions come from the power stations where the electricity is generated.

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To charge the Mini E there is a specially adapted socket placed where the filler cap would traditionally be located.

It will take eight hours to fully charge the Mini E which will then be capable of a claimed 150miles between charges.

This compares to around four hours for the Tesla Roadster which will accelerate from 0-62mph in 4 seconds and have a range of 200 miles.

But while the Tesla will set you back £100,000, it’s likely the Mini E will cost a quarter of this if BMW decide to officially launch the electric car.

While the standard Mini is built in Oxfordshire, the Mini E will be sent as an engine-less Cooper model to Munich where technicians will fit it with the electric motor.

The Mini E will initially make its debut at the LA Auto Show before the company delivers 500 cars to customers in California at the end of the year to test the green machine on a one year lease.

The West Coast state is the ideal destination for Mini to trial its electric model.

California is the planet’s 12th largest emitter of greenhouse gasses and has set itself the target of slashing carbon emissions by 20 per cent to 1990 levels – by 2020.

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