Lois Sicking of Upland showed me a BMW Mini E, a vehicle she was test-driving as an engineer with the state Air Resources Board. It’s a zero-emission, all-electric car, much like the Mini Cooper in style but with no engine. We’re on Second Street in Claremont near Starbucks.

The “gas” tank, with its “No Fuel” symbol, is where the car is plugged into standard household current for a recharge. Starting the car, which Sicking is doing below, involves pressing a button.

The car makes no noise. In fact, automakers are wondering if they should add a noise feature because pedestrians never hear the car coming. (I imagine one day we’ll be buying ringtones for our cars.)

You can read more about the car in Friday’s column.