Automotive News is reporting that exactly 500 electric Minis will be built for California, with 490 to be sold to celbutards the public and 10 to be reserved as show cars. It's part of BMWs attempt to meet California's new requirement for all automakers to offer zero-emissions vehicles. No word yet on specs or pricing.
The gas-free Minis will be built in Oxford, England, without engines, gearboxes or fuel tanks. They will then be shipped to Munich, Germany, and fitted with electric powertrains. For now it seems that California will be the only market for these battery-powered Minis, but if gas hits ten bucks per gallon, we're gonna smuggle one over to Jalopnik HQ. [Automotive News]