OXFORDSHIRE’S recent cold snap has adversely affected the performance of the new electric Mini prototype.

Some of the 40 motorists who are trialling the electric cars have reported the vehicles have taken longer to charge because of the freezing weather.

But an Oxford businessman who is also testing the vehicle said he did not want to hand back the keys as the car was so exciting to drive.

David Beesley pays £330 a month to lease the battery-powered Mini E, which is produced at BMW’s Cowley Plant.

He has been road-testing the £100,000 vehicle for a fortnight and said: “I love the car so much.

“Because it’s so cheap to run it’s liberating to drive.

“It makes you want to go out more because it isn’t costing anything and it’s just so easy and convenient for short trips.

“When I picked the Mini up I had to sign a contract that we have got to give it back in six months, but from my point of view the jury’s out on whether I will!

“I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one if it was affordable.”

Mr Beesley, of Bayswater Road, Barton, said a couple of test drivers who did not have a garage to store the vehicle had reported slower charging times during December’s freezing over- night temperatures.

The cars themselves also have their range reduced by up to 30 miles in sub-zero temperatures as power is needed to warm up the batteries.

Mr Beesley, who runs B-line office supplies in Stanton St John, said the car had been driven by 18 friends, customers and work colleagues, all of whom have been very impressed by it.

The 61-year-old, who has shown the vehicle to Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street, said: “I can’t stay out of the car.

“We have had the cold weather which has caused a few issues, but that’s why it is a prototype — to iron out these issues.

“The car is exciting to drive and almost as fast as a Mini Cooper from 0-60mph.

“It’s just great fun and you hardly ever need to use the brakes because when you lift off the accelerator the resistance of the engine charges the car and brakes automatically.”

BMW spokesman Wieland Brauch said the expensive prototypes were not currently available for sale.

He added: “The range of the car and charging is dependant on the outside temperature and that is a known factor for electric vehicles.

“We would not feel comfortable selling the cars because we feel some issues still have to be solved.”

* The specification:

0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Top speed: 95mph

Power: 150kW providing 204 brake horse power

Range: 155 miles in optimum conditions and 104 miles estimated in normal driving conditions

Charge time: Four hours from empty to full using a 32 amp charger

Charge cost: £1.50 using off-peak electricity or £4 at peak times, equivalent to 1p per mile

Manufacture cost: More than £100,000 per car. The electric Mini is built in Oxford on the vehicle’s standard production line and the cars are then shipped to Munich to be fitted with the electric motor and battery units.