The Mini Cooper Electric is coming back to India. Mini will launch the second-generation Cooper Electric on November 27, 2026, in the Cooper SE trim, along with a special Paul Smith Edition. The news broke on November 4 through Autocar India, carandbike and News9.
The biggest change is the battery. The new car gets a 54.2kWh pack with a claimed WLTP range of 402 km, compared with 270 km for the old model. Price is not official yet, but Autocar India expects about Rs 50 lakh, ex-showroom.
Here is what is confirmed, where reports differ and who this small, fast EV is really for.
What is the second-gen Mini Cooper Electric?
The second-gen Mini Cooper Electric is a three-door, front-wheel-drive electric hatchback sold as the Cooper SE. It uses a single front motor rated at about 218hp and 330Nm and a 54.2kWh battery. Mini will sell it in India from November 27, alongside a limited Paul Smith Edition designed with the British fashion designer.
This is not Mini’s first electric Cooper in India. Autocar India points out that the first-generation Cooper SE came in 2022 as a completely built unit (CBU) import, in limited numbers. Many buyers liked the styling but found its 270 km range too short for anything beyond city use. The new car is clearly aimed at that complaint.
How is the new Cooper SE different from the old one?
The new Cooper SE has a much larger battery, more range and a redesigned cabin. Battery capacity rises from 32.6kWh to 54.2kWh, and the claimed WLTP range climbs from 270 km to 402 km. Outside, it gets revised lighting, a new grille and new wheels. Inside, a circular OLED screen and fabric-covered dashboard replace the old layout.
| Specification | First-gen Cooper SE (2022) | Second-gen Cooper SE (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 32.6kWh | 54.2kWh |
| Claimed range | 270 km | 402 km (WLTP) |
| Power / torque | Not covered in launch reports | 218hp (215bhp) / 330Nm |
| 0-100kph | Not covered in launch reports | 6.7 sec (Autocar India, News9) or 6.2 sec (carandbike) |
| Top speed | Not covered in launch reports | 170kph |
| DC fast charging | Not covered in launch reports | Up to 95kW, 10-80% in about 30 min |
| AC charging | Not covered in launch reports | 7.4kW, 0-100% in about 7.75 hours |
| India import route | CBU, limited numbers | Not confirmed |
Sources: Autocar India, carandbike, News9.
The styling stays instantly Mini, with the round headlamps and short overhangs, but the details are cleaner. The cabin is where the change is most obvious. The circular OLED display sits in the middle of the dash, and the fabric surface gives it a warmer, less plasticky feel than the old car.
How fast does the Mini Cooper SE charge?
Mini claims the Cooper SE can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes on a DC fast charger of up to 95kW. On a 7.4kW AC wallbox, a full charge from empty takes about 7 hours and 45 minutes, according to Autocar India and News9. Overnight home charging will cover most daily needs.
The 95kW limit is modest next to larger EVs, but for a 54.2kWh battery it is reasonable. It also suits Indian conditions, where many public fast chargers deliver well under 100kW anyway. As we found in our look at EV charging reliability in India, a working charger matters more than a high peak number.
What is the Mini Cooper SE Paul Smith Edition?
The Paul Smith Edition is a limited-run Cooper with design inputs from the British designer Paul Smith. According to carandbike, it gets its own exterior and interior colours, edition-specific graphics and badging, 18-inch black alloy wheels and some unique features. Globally it is sold in several body styles, but the India specification has not been confirmed.
Mini has used special editions in India before to keep interest high, as with the Mini Cooper Oxford Edition. A designer edition on an electric car at launch suggests Mini sees the Cooper SE as a lifestyle purchase as much as a practical one.
What will the Mini Cooper Electric cost, and what are its rivals?
Mini has not announced a price. Autocar India expects about Rs 50 lakh ex-showroom and says the Cooper SE will have no direct rival, since there is no other premium electric hatchback on sale. Alternatives at that money are electric SUVs such as the BMW iX1, Volvo EX30, BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5.
That list shows the Mini’s challenge. Most of those rivals offer more space and similar or longer range. The BYD Sealion 7, for example, has found plenty of buyers, as our report on BYD Sealion 7 deliveries in India showed. The Mini has to win on design, size in the city and driving fun.
Mini Cooper Electric: confirmed vs not confirmed
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| India launch on November 27, 2026 | Confirmed (Autocar India, carandbike, News9) |
| Cooper SE trim plus Paul Smith Edition | Confirmed |
| 54.2kWh battery, 402 km WLTP range | Reported by all three sources |
| Power output | 218hp (Autocar India, News9) vs 215bhp (carandbike); unit difference |
| 0-100kph | 6.7 sec vs 6.2 sec; reports conflict |
| Price about Rs 50 lakh | Expected, not confirmed |
| CBU import or local assembly | Not confirmed |
| Paul Smith Edition India spec and numbers | Not confirmed |
CarBike Insight Analysis
The new Mini Cooper Electric fixes the old car’s biggest weakness. At 402 km WLTP, it moves from a city-only toy to a car you could drive between nearby cities, as long as you plan charging. That alone makes it a more serious proposition than the 2022 model.
Price is the open question. At around Rs 50 lakh, it would cost as much as several larger electric SUVs. Buyers in this bracket often care more about image and design than boot space, and the Mini has plenty of both. Still, Mini needs to keep the price as close to that estimate as it can. A big jump would push most shoppers towards SUVs.
Who is it for? Think of a second or third car in a city household: someone who drives 30 to 50 km a day, charges at home overnight and wants something small, quick and easy to park. For a family that needs one car for everything, including long highway runs and five adults, an electric SUV at similar money is still the more practical choice.
Two things to watch on November 27: whether the car comes as a CBU, which would affect price and supply, and whether the Paul Smith Edition is a numbered limited run. Until then, the 0-100kph figure also needs clearing up, since sources quote 6.7 and 6.2 seconds. We will update this article on launch day.
FAQ
When is the Mini Cooper Electric launching in India?
Mini will launch the second-generation Cooper Electric in India on November 27, 2026. It will be sold in the Cooper SE trim, and a special Paul Smith Edition will be offered alongside it, according to Autocar India, carandbike and News9.
What is the range of the new Mini Cooper SE?
The new Cooper SE has a 54.2kWh battery with a claimed WLTP range of 402 km. That is a big jump from the first-generation model’s 270 km. Real-world range in Indian traffic and heat will likely be lower than the claim.
What is the expected price of the Mini Cooper Electric?
Mini has not announced the price yet. Autocar India expects it to cost around Rs 50 lakh ex-showroom. The final figure will depend partly on whether the car is imported fully built or assembled locally, which is still unconfirmed.
How long does the Mini Cooper SE take to charge?
Mini claims 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes on a DC fast charger of up to 95kW. A full charge on a 7.4kW AC home charger takes around 7 hours and 45 minutes, which suits overnight charging at home.
Was there an electric Mini in India before?
Yes. The first-generation Mini Cooper SE was sold in India from 2022 as a fully imported car in limited numbers. It had a 32.6kWh battery and a claimed range of 270 km, much less than the new model.
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