The Mini Cooper has been quite the successful little car, booting around town with its very distinctive looks. Some people may complain that the base model is fairly underpowered, but that’s one way that you can save a few bucks at the pump. And now Mini is helping you save a little more.

A full electric vehicle from Mini is being planned for Summer 2009, hitting the roads and avoiding the rising gas prices. Mini USA VP Jim McDowell did not confirm any specific details other than the fact that the car will be ready for customers by next year. It’s unclear what kind of battery they will be using.

More information may be made available a little later this year, possibly at the Los Angeles Auto Show. I wonder how Toyota is going to respond. Where is the full electric Prius?