Mini has just sent out emails inviting applicants for what they are calling the Mini E Field Trial. If you live in the New York or Los Angeles metros, want the low carbon, high carfun footprint of one of the limited run of electric Minis, along with ponying up an $850 a month lease payment you’ve got to convince the good folks at Mini that you are an appropriate candidate. I just spent a half hour filling out the interesting and amusing application…

The app includes questions like naming three people from history you’d like to take on a road trip, completing Gustav Kirchhoff’s Circuit Law, and explaining in 250 words why you’d be an ideal candidate for the field trial. Interestingly you’re also asked whether you own an iPhone and what three inventions you couldn’t live without. If you pass, which somehow I doubt I will despite having the ideal commute for this electric Mini, you will have to install a 240 volt charging box in the garage you must have to get the car. A few interesting details are given out—typical range on a full charge is 120 miles. Full charge takes 3 hours with the home charger or 26 hours with a regular outlet. Monthly cost of energy given 1200 miles of driving is expected to be $62 versus a $110 gas bill or so for a regular Mini. Oh, and huge bummer, the Mini E has no back seat since that’s where the Lithium Ion batteries sit. And even if it did have a back seat the maximum payload is 430 pounds despite there being 201 horses on tap. The $850 payment does include fully comprehensive insurance—handy since the rumored cost of these hand built “prototypes” is in the $400,000 range—probably the reason why you have to also be prepared to be the target of satellite tracking. And the lease is only for 1 year—then you have to give it back. Along with the wall box! The program rings of something  GM might do. If I did get accepted would I get one? Hmmm…maybe with a press discount. Only problem in my mind is that 2008 M3 Sedans are leasing for $849 a month with no drive off according to this Sunday’s LA Times Classified section. Hey, gas is only $2.30 a gallon! What are you gonna do? And who would you guys take on a road trip?