BMW Group adds its name to the list of environmentally-friendly carmakers, by announcing plans for the availability of 500 all-electric cars for private use, on the U.S. market. The MINI E is BMW’s proposal for a low energy consumption vehicle, with zero emissions in traffic, although for now, it will only be available for a group of select private and corporate customers in California, New York and New Jersey states.

MINI E will be powered by a 150 kW electric motor, supplied by a high-performance rechargeable lithium-ion battery. A single battery charge offers autonomy of over 240 kilometers, or 150 miles.

BMW announced that the acceleration will get drivers from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.5 seconds; however, it has electronically limited the top speed to 152 km/h (95 mph). MINI E comes with a single-stage helical gearbox, and has a suspension system to perfectly match its weight distribution.

“By introducing the MINI E, the BMW Group is underscoring the resolve with which it works towards reducing energy consumption and emissions in road traffic,” the company said in a statement. “The BMW Group is drawing on its unique technological expertise in the field of drive systems to develop a vehicle concept enabling zero emissions without renouncing the joy of driving.”

The car will initially come as a two-seater, with the space usually occupied by back-seat passengers reserved for the lithium-ion battery. According to BMW, the battery will have a maximum capacity of 35 kilowatt hours (kWh) and will transmit energy to the electric motor at a nominal of 380 volts.

The company said the 500 cars will be produced by the end of the year, and has promised to keep in touch with drivers for a complete analyze of the vehicle and the driver, in order to get a better picture of what an electrical car should offer.