It leased 600 electric Mini Es to drivers in Britain, Germany and the United States.

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But the project's first concept is most decidedly a four-wheeler: a plug-in electric Mini powered by a lithium-ion battery.

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"When you engineer a technology-filled, all-electric mini car that goes from zero-to-60 mph in less than eight seconds, customers won't miss the gas, " said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America.

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Those who read the tea leaves in the Chinese press think Kandi is very close to announcing a deal to sell 20, 000 or 100, 000 of their electric mini-cars to a municipal rental program, and the option holders almost certainly know that.

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On top of their lower labour costs, the mini-mills' electric-arc furnaces are much cheaper to build than iron-ore blast furnaces.

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Did you know MINI is toying with the idea of selling electric scooters?

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In January Shuanghuan launched an electric version, called the Dushi Mini.

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Using a dedicated high-current electric circuit, like those installed for electric ovens, these can recharge the MINI E in 4.5 hours. (With an ordinary mains socket, by contrast, recharging could take all day.) For cars with smaller battery packs, like the Smart, overnight recharging from a conventional socket is possible.

ECONOMIST: Rational consumer