2022 MINI COOPER SE ROAD TRIP FROM ST LOUIS TO CHICAGO!

EV Channels Review

The reviewer documents an immediate road trip in a newly acquired used 2022 Mini Cooper SE Iconic from St. Louis to Chicago, a journey complicated by pouring rain and the car's limited 114-mile estimated range. Despite the challenging conditions, the reviewer highlights the Mini's heat pump as a key advantage for cold weather efficiency, contrasting it with vehicles that use resistive heating elements. The car's built-in trip planner and the use of third-party apps like A Better Routeplanner are discussed as essential tools for managing range anxiety. The trip involved several charging stops, with the reviewer noting the efficiency achieved (around 3.4 miles/kWh in heavy rain) and the charging speeds, which remained consistent. While the reviewer expresses satisfaction with the car's comfort, sound system, and value proposition (especially with the used EV tax credit), they explicitly advise against road-tripping the Mini Electric due to its range limitations and the scarcity of "bailout options" on the route. The experience underscores the importance of meticulous trip planning for EVs with shorter ranges.