{"id":17614,"date":"2021-05-11T17:07:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-11T21:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/?p=17614"},"modified":"2021-05-11T17:07:26","modified_gmt":"2021-05-11T21:07:26","slug":"electric-mini-cooper-se-cheese","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicksandmachines.com\/en\/cars\/electric-mini-cooper-se-cheese\/","title":{"rendered":"She visits 10 cheese factories in Qu\u00e9bec…in a 100% electric 2021 MINI Cooper SE"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”My road test of a 2021 100% electric MINI Cooper SE was the perfect opportunity for a nice family outing to discover the best cheese factories in Qu\u00e9bec!” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]One of my fondest childhood memories is definitely when my parents used to take me to local dairy farms.\u00a0It was a family activity in which my grandparents regularly participated. Often on Sundays, we would go to the Boivin cheese factory, located in La Baie. Each time we went, I would systematically take my little bag of cheese curds (fromage en crottes<\/em>) for $1, my cream soda (the little glass bottle) and my little bag of ketchup chips. That was pure happiness for me! Even today, when I return to the Saguenay region, I love to visit the cheese factory.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17626″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Therefore, I was inspired by this childhood memory to write about my top 10 cheese factories to discover this summer by motorcycle or car. When I learned that I’d be testing the Mini SE 2021 100% electric, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to\u00a0explore the dairy farms on board this special vehicle.<\/p>\n

When I was a little girl enjoying her cheese curds and cream soda,\u00a0I had no idea that, 30 years later, I would return in an electric car. I would like to thank the team of Mini Brossard<\/strong><\/a>, located on Taschereau Boulevard, member of the Groupe Park Avenue<\/a> family, for having so kindly lent me this MINI, which I renamed for a weekend: “Mini Annie.”[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17630″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”My plan to discover the 2021 electric MINI Cooper SE” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]In all honesty, I had never experienced an electric car or a hybrid vehicle before. True to form, before I took possession of my electric MINI, I had planned my weekend to a T.\u00a0 However, I soon learned the hard way that my plans were unrealistic.<\/p>\n

The MINI Cooper SE electric has a range of about 177 kilometres on a full charge. In order to take full advantage of this range, you have to drive in a completely different way. I quickly realized that an electric MINI Cooper SE does not drive like my Toyota Sport! It’s true that the MINI is very sporty<\/strong> and quiet<\/strong>, which is what I really appreciated.\u00a0 The acceleration is impressive<\/strong>:\u00a0when overtaking, the car really adheres to the road. The MINI is agile in corners<\/strong> and is certainly very stable<\/strong>.\u00a0 On paper, the car goes from 0 to 60 km\/h in 3.9 seconds. On Highway 10, I pushed the car’s limits a bit and in no time, I realized I was doing close to 140 km\/h; it felt like I was going 100. Once you put your foot on the pedal, keep your foot down because if you let go, the car decelerates pretty quickly.\u00a0 I hardly touched the brake pedal at all this weekend: everything is direct, which is quite striking. \u00a0Driving the MINI, I imagined I was in the movie The Italian Job, starring Mark Wahlberg![\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17620″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]During my weekend, I learned to tame this beast; after 24 hours, I understood how to take full advantage of the vehicle. The first day of our cheese expedition, we did a lot of highway driving, so we had less autonomy: about 140 kilometres.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ImPM993xF-4<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”The EV charging station” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”17622″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Once I got to the charging station, I realized that I wasn’t prepared: I should have downloaded the Electric Circuit application beforehand to access the charge. Beware, there are different charges: 100W, 50W and other charges that are much slower. Make sure that the charging power you choose is compatible with your vehicle.<\/p>\n

The application is extremely well designed; while your car is charging, you can follow its progress in real time from your phone.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Via a fast charging terminal, the car reached 95% of charge in just 30 minutes. In this same application, you can also locate the charging stations that are nearby. For 35 minutes of charge, the price is about 9 to 12$.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17619″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The electric MINI can also be charged at home in a normal outdoor socket. It takes longer, but it works. On Saturday, when I charged the car at home, it went from 46% to 78% overnight, after charging for approximately 12 hours. I can now better understand when people with electric cars decide to have a fast charging station installed at home. If you’re worried about the battery warranty, MINI offers an 8 year \/ 160,000 km warranty.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0XfBUbGgHA4<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Customize your 2021 electric MINI Cooper SE” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”17635″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]All weekend long, I had the chance to discover the classic, 100% electric MINI, which has several options including access to the weather forecast via the dashboard, as well as different driving modes, including the SPORT mode. You can customize your MINI for a few dollars. The classic MINI retails for $42,736 and the “PREMIER” model is $47,736. The top-of-the-line model, including front and rear parking distance control and parallel parking assistance, is $50,736. Of course, since it’s an electric vehicle, you’re eligible for government subsidies<\/strong> for the acquisition of this type of vehicle (up to $13,000). And if the price is a bit of a deterrent, don’t forget that the MINI Cooper SE will save you $1,000 to $2,000 a year on gas<\/strong>, so in the long run it’s very interesting, financially speaking. And don’t forget, you produce ZERO CO2 emissions, and that’s priceless![\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17631″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”This 2021 electric MINI Cooper SE has a lot of style!” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_single_image image=”17595″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]The MINI Cooper 3-door offers many options. At night, the interior really looks like a dance floor! Everything is very bright, the lighting changes and it gives a really nice look! The vehicle is equipped with a touch screen, but also a control button for the options between the two seats to keep your eyes on the road. The Union Jack taillights are a nice nod to the British inspiration of the model.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17629″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]From your home using your smartphone, you can program the temperature of your vehicle. What a great option for winter or summer!<\/p>\n

The kids really liked the MINI: the backseat space was great for accommodating two young girls, aged 7 and 12.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17621″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][vc_column_text]Kids these days are extremely aware of the importance of taking care of the environment. The girls thought it was really cool to drive around in an electric car.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17625″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”MINI Cooper fellowship” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]We often talk about the sense of fellowship in the motorcycle world. I found that same camaraderie with the electric car.\u00a0 Everywhere we stopped, other people with electric cars were chatting with each other. The first question was always the same: “What is the car’s range?”<\/p>\n

People are proud of their electric car and I was also very proud to discover how fun it is to drive one.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”17632″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Photo: Mini.ca<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]As you can imagine, given the size of our province, it was impossible for me to visit all of the following cheese factories in a single weekend, but if you have the opportunity this summer to travel by motorcycle, car, or (even better!) in an electric MINI, I invite you to discover a few cheese factories that are some of my family’s favourites.<\/p>\n

The following are Martel-Audet approved!<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Top 10 cheese factories to visit” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:35|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

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