Mini has announced an offer of 5,000 free green miles if customers switch their energy supply to OVO Energy’s EV Everywhere bundle. The free miles come by way of a discount to new members and it also includes two years’ free Polar Plus membership (normally £94 a year), providing access to the UK’s largest EV charging network with 7,000 charging points available. WhichEV examines the company's claim that they can support green charging from the Cornish coast to the Scottish Highlands.
OVO Energy’s EV Everywhere bundle uses 100% renewable electricity and once signed up, Mini Electric drivers who charge their cars at home will receive a discount of £11 on their bill each month. Over the offer period, this is the equivalent of 5,000 free miles for drivers charging their car off-peak on Economy 7. Even if you don't maximise the benefits of the offer, you're still likely to get around 3,300 free miles.
When evaluating this kind of offer, it's worth bearing in mind that the average Brit does around 7,134 miles a year. So an offer of 5,000 free miles is likely to help a great deal, even if you have to sign up.
David George, Director, Mini UK said “Our Mini Electric customers have already taken a big step in lowering their carbon emissions, so we’re pleased now to recommend this exclusive offer with OVO Energy, for those drivers who want to reduce their footprint even further”.
The new Mini Electric is due to appear in dealerships in March and several thousand have been pre-ordered. It borrows proven technology from its parent company's BMW i3 and integrates a 32.6kWh battery that can reach up to 146 miles on a single charge. While a full charge at home will take longer, you can pick up an 80% fast charge in about 30 minutes when you stop somewhere with a 50kW three-phase unit.
This will be Mini’s first publicly available electric vehicle and it features the classic hatch appearance the public has come to enjoy, with a few modernising tweaks. With the government grant of £3,500, the Mini Electric is available from £24,400 and comes complete with a very competent entertainment system.
Tom Pakenham, Director of Electric Vehicles, OVO Energy said “The partnership between OVO Energy and Mini UK brings even more electric vehicle drivers across the UK the opportunity to benefit from smart charging. Our EV Everywhere bundle helps customers have more control over their total energy usage, with a complete at-home and on-the-go energy solution, enabling zero-carbon driving”.
As part of OVO Energy’s green promise, for every unit of electricity you purchase, they will buy a unit from a 100% renewable source (like hydro, solar or wind). They will also plant 5 trees per purchase as the company strives to support customers on their journey to zero-carbon living.
OVO Energy has done a similar bundle only with one other car brand in the past, offering free miles with a plug-in EV. This is exactly the kind of green marketing that we want to encourage at WhichEV.