Los Angeles - BMW is launching a fleet of 500 electric-powered MINI cars for private and business customers in the United States with a prototype to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show this month.

The zero-emission MINI E, powered by a 150 kW/205 hp electric engine that gets its energy from a lithium-ion battery pack, would be leased to customers in California, New York and New Jersey inn 2009, the car maker said.

The exterior of the MINI E is hardly distinguishable from the standard MINI with the exception of an "E" symbol on the bodywork. In the dashboard, a battery loading indicator replaces the rev counter. The dials are in dark grey and the numbers are in yellow. The load volume is indicated in percentages.

The MINI E is also painted in dark silver with the roof in pure silver colour.

BMW lists acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds with the top speed electronically regulated at 152 km/h. One loading charge of 2.5 hours gives the car a range of 240 kilometres.

The battery pack, which consists of 5,088 battery cells linked to 48 modules, is positioned in three elements behind the two front seats. Each car comes with a so-called Wallbox that can be installed in the electric socket of a garage, enabling shorter loading time.

Slight modifications have been made to the bodywork for optimal weight distribution. The brakes are combined with a newly developed electric pump while EPS (Electrical Power Assisted Steering) is equivalent to the unit in the standard MINI. As soon as the driver takes their foot off the accelerator, the electric motor functions like a generator, producing energy for the battery.

The MINI E is produced in Oxford, England and at BMW's main factory in Munich, Germany. The basic body components are put together in Oxford with the electric engine, battery unit, transmission and other electric components fitted in Munich. Production is to be concluded by the end of 2008.

By making the 500 cars available to selected customers in urban centres, the car maker hopes to gain important know-how for the mass production of electric vehicles in the near future, the company said in a statement. The fleet is supported by a team of technicians based on both the U. S. east and west coasts. BMW is also looking at extending the project to Europe. (dpa)