MAKING THE SWITCH.

You can use the MINI Charging map or the MINI Charging app to unlock charging stations and start the charging process. 
 
Some charging columns can be operated using the MINI Charging app. The app, which features an integrated QR code scanner, is as easy to use as it is to install. To do so, simply download the app, enter your MINI Charging contract number and your PIN. 

You’ll pay for to charge back up with cashless payments. You can choose to pay conveniently via a monthly direct debit from your payment account. Check in to your MINI Charging online account for an up-to-date snapshot of your costs and charging behaviour.   

1. If necessary, set the current before charging. 

2. Do not use any extension cables. 

3. Always connect and disconnect the charging cable in this order: 

Connecting: 

1. Connect to the socket. 
2. Connect to the vehicle.   

Disconnecting: 

1. Disconnect from the vehicle. 
2. Disconnect from the socket.  

 LED lights: 

1. White light: Signal light 
2. Red light: Charging error 
3. Orange light: Initialising 
4. Blue light: Charging active 
5. Green light: Charging complete   

4. Lock the vehicle. The charging process will only start once your vehicle is locked. 

Normal charging with alternating current (AC):

Choose AC to charge your car efficiently. Primarily to be used overnight but can also be selected during the day. Compared to a domestic power socket, an AC charging station provides more power and can charge the battery in just a few hours.  

Quick charging with direct current (DC**): 
 
DC** quick charging stations are the best option if you want to charge your car fast. They can recharge your vehicle's battery quickly in just 30-40 minutes. Perfect timing if you’re about and about shopping or having a bite to eat.  

The key raw materials of the high-voltage storage are cobalt, lithium, graphite and nickel. The shell of the high-voltage battery is made of aluminum. MINI is committed to developing a supply chain that is responsible, sustainable and meets our own high ethical and human rights standards. Each nominated supplier must provide information on the implementation of environmental, social and governance standards including respect for human rights and the prohibition of forced labour. We work closely with key raw material suppliers to ensure that all materials are responsibly sourced both to protect and enhance the environment, and to ensure the safety and well-being of the employees at any point along the supply chain. We also continue to streamline logistics operations to reduce impacts from transporting components to our plants.     

MINI examines the origin of our raw materials closely. When selecting suppliers, we adhere to the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct. In addition to that, we commit our direct suppliers to meet our sustainability requirements with their own suppliers. The transparency of supplier networks is the basis for ensuring our sustainability requirements for our suppliers. 

Together with BASF, Samsung SDI and Samsung Electronics, we are committed to sustainable cobalt mining. In a joint project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we want to understand how the living and working conditions of local people can be improved. In order to prevent or mitigate adverse impacts and not to let the people of the Congo down, we have also commissioned the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH to improve working conditions in artisanal cobalt mining in a pilot project in the DR Congo.   

We are aware of our responsibility that the raw materials are mined and processed under normal conditions. We are regularly on-site, know the mines and the working methods of our partners and ensure a clean recovery.  

In addition to this, to generally limit the need for critical raw materials such as cobalt, the BMW Group, which MINI is part of, pursues the goal of increasing the proportion of recycled cobalt in battery cells. 

In the aluminium procurement process, we not only buy for our own needs, but also make this material available to our suppliers, reliably and at calculable prices.   

This creates greater planning security on both sides. In order to be able to meet our long-term demands for sustainably produced aluminium in the future, the BMW Group became the first automobile manufacturer to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative – actively demanding ecological and social sustainability for certified aluminium across the entire aluminium value chain – from the mine to the recycling process.  

We also strive to source more recycled aluminium in our manufacturing processes. The use of secondary materials has a positive effect, especially on the following aspects of sustainability: biodiversity, CO2 emissions (especially in raw materials with energy-intensive production such as aluminium, steel and copper) and the reduction of waste. The average share of secondary aluminium in our vehicles is 20%. For aluminium casting alloys, it is 40%. We work with the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative on the certification of our aluminium partners in accordance with the outlined sustainability standard. For more information please visit aluminium-stewardship.org 

 The lithium used in the components of the MINI Electric comes from Australia. The extraction comes from hard rock deposits, which are subject to the highest standards in terms of sustainability. The BMW Group continues to conduct research on how materials such as lithium can be repurposed by means of battery recycling – for example, by re-manufacturing, or ‘closed loop’ concepts. 

Gaining maximum visibility of our supply chain helps us identify issues on the ground and deal with them effectively, often in partnership with our suppliers and other stakeholders.   

The increase of transparency and resource efficiency in our supply chains is based on compliance with environmental and social standards as defined in the BMW Group sustainability standard for the supplier network.   

Each supplier must consider the sustainability requirements of the BMW Group in its offer. In addition to this, we are guided by international standards such as the guidelines of the UN Global Compact Initiative (Davos, 01/99) and the "Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work" (Geneva, 06/98), the International Labor Organization (ILO) and their due diligence process with the Requirements of the "UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. “ 

The greenness of any electric car ultimately depends on the source of the mains electricity that feeds the battery.   

Another aspect of the lifetime CO2 footprint is the energy used to manufacture the battery pack. With this in mind, tests showed that if the MINI Electric is charged using a renewable electricity mix, it breaks even or has ‘worked off’ the CO2 released during its manufacturing after approximately 19,000 km.   

Over a full life cycle, the emissions of a MINI Electric are 40% (EU mix) and 70% (renewable mix) compared to that of a petrol-driven MINI Cooper S. That means, using typical daily driving distances, it takes just twelve months of driving for the MINI Electric to offset the extra global warming emissions from producing it.