I paid the deposit for my '23 Iconic SE on 10 March. Had to order from a dealership 260 miles away near Chicago, rather than the one much closer in Missouri because the new Illinois EV Rebate Program requires purchase from an Illinois dealership. Production began on 20 April. Dispatched from factory on 13 May, arrived at UK port on 14 May. Left port on 22 May, arrived in Baltimore on 31 May. In transit to dealer on 12 June and arrived to dealer on 14 June. Because the program didn't start until 1 July, I didn't come get it until then. Not bad - three months from order to dealership arrival! No heated steering wheel (bummer!) or alarm system (don't care), but did get the hk sound system.
This is my first EV, so I didn't quite know what I was doing on the drive home, and accidentally passed my first planned charging station. Didn't realize it until I was doing the math for the next available station, comparing my distance to it vs. the distance remaining on the GOM. I did make it, but only after going to green+ and driving 55 on the highway for 25 miles or so when the speed limit was 70. My husband was following me and called to ask if everything was ok. *snicker* I didn't tell him how tight it was until after we got there - no point in him sweating it out, too!
The car couldn't find a charging station in range, nor could any of the apps I had installed, but Google Maps came through for me! An itty bitty level 2 charger in some random strip mall parking log. Whew! I had *two* percent left when I pulled in, hoping that the station was functional and finding that it was. (Whew!) Weirdly coincidentally, it was in the same parking lot as the restaurant we stopped at for lunch the day before on the way to the dealership! What are the odds?! So, we ate lunch there again (love us some Moe's!) while we waited for the level 2 to get us to 10 miles, then drove to a level 3 station further up the road.
Charged up to 90% there and hit the road. Didn't miss the next one (won't likely make that mistake *ever* again!), charged up to 90% again, and made it home no problem.
Realistically, though, I won't be using public charging stations much. I telework, so rarely need to drive into work (which is well within range anyway). Everything I need to drive to is close to home. I did get an outlet installed so I could use the level 2 charger it came with at home, but I'll likely only need to top it off once a week - maybe even less.
We have a great road trip car we'll use for longer drives (Subaru Forester), but the Mini is my fun car. The first one bought for *me* since we started having kids 23 years ago. I've let everyone drive it to check it out, but now it's *mine.* No messing with settings or seat/mirror placement any more! The back seats will live in the down position, as I can't imagine putting anyone back there. And I've already told the family that the dog will *not* ever be in this car!
I've already replaced the antenna with the CravenSpeed stubby. I've got all-weather front floor mats, the boot luggage mat, and those cool door handle cubbies on the way. Maybe down the road I'll add tint and stripes (envisioning black bolts with yellow edges - see inspiration photos below), plus the black beltline... But for now, I think I've spent enough...
