Mini has delayed plans to build the electric version of its latest Cooper, as well as the electric-only Aceman subcompact crossover, at its plant in Oxford, U.K.
Under the original plans announced in 2023, production of the two electric vehicles was scheduled to begin at the plant in 2026, running alongside production of the gas-powered Cooper.
This delay means the electric models likely won’t reach the U.S. anytime soon, as both are currently built exclusively in China and would face steep tariffs if imported.
The news of the delay was first reported by Autocar on Feb. 21 and has since been confirmed by Mini. In a statement, the automaker cited “multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry” as the reason for the delay and said it was currently “reviewing the timing” for the start of EV production at the Oxford plant.
Mini Hardtop production at plant in Oxford, U.K.
Mini had committed to investing 600 million British pounds (approximately $757 million) in upgrades to the plant to support EV production. Some of that investment is still moving forward, including the construction of a new logistics facility.
The plant employs around 4,000 staff and has the capacity to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually. It was originally slated to transition to EV-only production by the early 2030s, when Mini is slated to cease selling gas cars. However, with EV demand slowing considerably over the past year—and even declining in some markets—Mini, like many other automakers that previously committed to EV-only lineups, may end up reversing that plan and keeping gas engines available well into the next decade.
