Mini has upgraded the Countryman E with battery and inverter improvements that boost its range by 25 miles, bringing the electric SUV’s total range to 311 miles on a single charge.
The range increase from 286 miles comes as Mini works to keep pace with competitors in the family EV market. The Skoda Elroq manages up to 355 miles per charge, while the Toyota C-HR+ reaches 376 miles and the Renault Scenic delivers 381 miles.
The four-wheel-drive Countryman E All4 also benefits from the upgrades. Its range jumps from 267 miles to 290 miles – a 13-mile improvement.
Technical Improvements Drive Range Gains
The range boost centers on a new silicon-carbide inverter that reduces energy loss during power conversion. The inverter helps minimize waste when the car converts direct current from its battery to alternating current for the motors and other systems.
Mini also fitted low-friction wheel bearings on the front axle to squeeze additional efficiency from each charge.
The 66.5kWh battery pack remains unchanged, but engineers increased its usable capacity from 64.6kWh to 65.2kWh. Charging speed stays at 130kW, allowing 10% to 80% charging in 29 minutes.
BMW Siblings Expected to Follow
The Countryman E shares its electrical platform with BMW’s iX1 and iX2 models. Industry observers expect BMW to roll out similar upgrades to those vehicles soon.
The Countryman E qualifies for the UK Government’s £3,750 ‘Band 1’ Electric Car Grant.
That brings its price down to £29,255 – actually £100 less than the petrol-powered Countryman S. Other vehicles eligible for the Band 1 grant include the Citroën C5 Aircross Long Range, Ford Puma Gen-E, Ford E-Tourneo Courier, Renault 4 and 5, and the Alpine A290.
The upgrades help Mini maintain its position in the competitive family EV segment, though the Countryman still trails its main rivals in total range capability.
