Stefano with his all ELECTRIC chrome emblem'd MINI E thanks to Michael Wittman of http://www.thirdplanetenergy.com

Saturday, August 1, 2009
The past couple of months have been a blast zipping around in my all electric BMW MINI E powered by AC Propulsion's very quick 150kW electric drive system. The cars were leased to us without the big yellow MINI E door stickers that were on all demo BMW MINI Es. As a result, the car is extremely stealthy to the general populace. Practically no one has noticed that the car zipping by them is an all electric plug-in vehicle with zero emissions. Many of the lessees including myself requested BMW provide us the large yellow MINI E door stickers for our MINI Es. When we signed our leases BMW thankfully had a checkbox to allow us to request the MINI E door stickers for later installation. I have yet to be contacted regarding installation of the distinctive MINI E door stickers and was getting restless waiting.

My close friend Linda Nicholes had the very same issue of the general populace not recognizing her new Tesla Roadster was all electric during the first several months after delivery. Most people assumed it was "the new Lotus" and would ask questions about what kind of (internal combustion) engine it had. In essence, Linda's Radiant Red Tesla was invisible regarding its electric propulsion to the general public. Wanting to "electrify" her Tesla Roadster chassis she came across Michael Wittman's Quality Chrome Auto Emblems he distributes via his company Third Planet Energy which has been primarily focused on biodiesel fueling and biodiesel emblems. Linda's Tesla was the first Roadster to receive an ELECTRIC chrome emblem across the rear by Michael in early 2009.

Stefano with Linda's Radiant Red Tesla Roadster sporting
a Third Planet Energy ELECTRIC Chrome Emblem.

Recalling how great the ELECTRIC chrome emblem looks across the rear of the Tesla Roadster I decided to call up Michael and arrange a visit so he could "electrify" the rear tailgate of my BMW MINI E with the same fabulous chrome ELECTRIC emblem. On Saturday morning August 1, 2009 I met with Michael, we briefly brainstormed where to apply the ELECTRIC chrome lettering, and decided on overall spacing. Michael then assembled an ELECTRIC emblem while I waited, and expertly applied it to my MINI E tailgate. While subtle the new ELECTRIC chrome emblem has definitely made the car more noticeable within the sea of internal combustion engine vehicles on the roads. Just on Saturday alone I had more people recognize my MINI E was electric than in the previous couple of months of 1000s of miles of MINI E driving. In one instance I saw in my rear view mirror a 12 year old riding in a Prius mouth out the word ELECTRIC to his mom in giddy excitement as he pointed to my car as I effortlessly zipped by them.

If your EV happens to be too stealthy for anyone to notice it is electric, get a sexy ELECTRIC chrome emblem. Adding Michael Wittman's Third Planet Energy ELECTRIC Chrome Emblem to the back of my MINI E is definitely one of the best upgrades I've made to date. Thanks Michael for "electrifying" my MINI E with great ELECTRIC chrome style!