Call for more drivers to plug in a Mini

The first stage of the project was launched in December 2009 when the first 20 Mini E drivers took ownership of their electric Minis and are due to hand them back in June. The trial is being run by a BMW Group led consortium including Southern Electric who will supply the electricity infrastructure in the research area. A £25 million fund from the government's technology strategy board allows participants to lease the cars at a much lower cost as the trial attempts to evaluate the technical and social aspects of using an all-electric car. The results will help develop BMW Group's zero emissions mega city vehicle as well as UK infrastructure and policy development for electric vehicles. The consortium is also supported by public sector organisations including South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and Oxford City and Oxfordshire county council. In addition to supporting the establishment of a technical infrastructure in their local areas, each will also test Mini E's in a fleet environment. Project Manager for Mini E, Suzanne Gray said: "We were overwhelmed by the level of interest in the first phase of the trial, and we are confident that we will attract a similar level of applicants for the second phase. We would love to hear from people who have the enthusiasm and curiosity required to take part in a 'real world' research study." Interested drivers can apply via an online application form at www.electricMINI.co.uk