An electric scooter that costs only 1p a mile

The MINI Scooter E Concept, which is set to appear at Paris Motor Show next week, comes 10 years after BMW unveiled its vision of a modern day MINI. Designed by Adrian van Hooydonk of BMW, the hi-tech zero-emissions two-wheeler is powered by a lithium-ion battery linked to an electric motor which drives the 11-inch rear wheel.

Aimed primarily at younger drivers for urban use, the retro-looking scooter expected to cost one pence per a mile motoring, with a range of about 30 miles and a top speed restricted to about 50 mph, the Daily Mail reported.

According to its manufactures, the scooter can be charged directly from the household mains thanks to a plug and five yards of spring-loaded retractable cable cunningly stored beneath the driver and passenger seat. Each full re-charge is expected to take around four hours.

However, a spokesman pointed out that brief stops can be used to top up the battery. "Stop-offs for shopping or visiting a cafe can be used for hassle-free battery recharging," he said. The vehicle, which comes in three interpretations, expected to cost between 4,000 pounds and 5,000 pounds.

A MINI spokesman said: "The MINI Scooter E is powered is powered by an electric motor integrated in the rear wheel. "The motor's lithium ion battery can be recharged at any conventional power socket using the on-board charging cable."

The scooter also has another hi-tech touch. A snap-in adaptor means the driver can insert his or her smart-phone into the front console as a secure "key" to start it. The screen of the phone then doubles as sat-nav, music player or blue-tooth  telephone.

The MINI scooter follows the firm's launch last year of its electric MINI-e car which is currently being leased to customers around the UK.