The 2026 MINI Countryman to get Upgraded Battery and Charging Capabilities

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The 2026 MINI Countryman SE ALL4 is set to receive two highly anticipated upgrades, boosting its range and expanding its charging capabilities (the latter specific to North America).

Countryman Charging Updates

MINI, through its parent BMW Group, will officially adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS), the Tesla-designed plug that’s quickly becoming the de facto standard across North America. Access to the Tesla Supercharger network will roll out for MINI owners late this year.

MINI’s imported to North America will ship with the NACS adapter from November onward. Additionally current North American SE owners will be able to order the adapter once it’s available.

We’ve heard from MINI that engineers have been testing the adapter in the real world to ensure full compatibility with the Tesla system The adapter, after all, is the linchpin. If it doesn’t work flawlessly, you could end up with frustrated drivers stuck at a Supercharger with software gremlins or worse, a failed session. That said MINI will be recommending to exclusively use charging stations equipped with CCS1/J1772 connectors until the NACS transition is complete.

While Tesla Supercharger access is the headline in the U.S., the rest of the updates—battery improvements, efficiency gains, and platform refinements—will impact all regions where the SE is sold.

This change is specific to the North American market, where CCS infrastructure lags and Tesla’s network offers a major competitive edge. Europe and other markets will continue to use CCS and benefit from widespread, reliable public charging via networks like IONITY.

Battery Upgrade: Gains in Range & Efficiency

MINI is preparing an updated battery pack for the Countryman SE that will increase usable capacity and improve overall energy efficiency. The aim? A significant bump in range, potentially pushing WLTP figures past 240 miles—up from today’s ~200 EPA miles (~270 WLTP). These updates will roll out globally, improving both performance and practicality for European and Asian markets just as much as North America.

Expect this update to include revised cell chemistry or thermal management improvements rather than an entirely new battery architecture—enough to close the usability gap with rivals like the Volvo EX30 and Hyundai Kona Electric.

When To Expect Changes

The NACS adapter addition will happen late this year for all North American MINIs. Additionally it will be available for all existing Countryman SE owners.

The battery refresh is a bit more complex. We expect it to arrive globally in early 2026. We expect this to happen production set to expected to begin in March.

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