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Leading the small car pack is BMW's MINI division, which sold out its stock of Mini Coopers in 2008 due to increased demand. Now MINI has surprised the auto industry with the announcement that they will release a line of fully electric Mini Coopers, some of which will be available as early as next year. The Mini Cooper E will have a 150 mile range before the car needs to be recharged, and features a regenerative braking system that preserves power while driving in the city. Owners of the car will be able to or recharge the car in just three hours when using the “quick charge” kit MINI will provide or it can charge overnight by plugging conventional wall socket. For anybody who is skeptical about the power of an EV, the car has some real kick, with a 0 to 60 time of just over 8 seconds, and a top speed of 95 miles per hour. The Mini Cooper E looks just like the popular gas models, with one big exception... no backseats. MINI engineers had to remove them to make room for the large battery. The street legal, fully electric car will be available in limited release later this year for around $850 a month. Only 500 Mini Cooper E's will be available for lease to drivers in California... so sign up for the waiting list now ASAP if you're interested. If you don't get your hands on one this year, Mini plans to roll out a whole lot more of them in 2010, if the demand still remains high. I'm Elizabeth Chambers. Check back here for more eco friendly news and tips, right here on LivingGreenChannel.Com.