While Columbus, on top of his column, once again shows little sense of orientation by pointing to Africa instead of America, I do drive in the right direction: straight through Barcelona, following the navigation on my dashboard, an almost certain electric future and new world. At least, as far as city traffic is concerned…
I do that in the saddle of the BMW CE 04, the brand new electric scooter for which the brand resolutely borrowed from their car brothers. The 40 Lithium-Ion cells used are identical to what a BMW i4 uses, albeit slightly less in number. BMW therefore gives a not wrong range of 130 km (100 km in the case of the A1 version). The liquid-cooled electric motor of the BMW CE 04 also comes from the four-wheelers, as one third of a 225xe Active Tourer power source. The maximum power is 42 hp (31 hp in A1 version) and is good for an acceleration from 0-50 km/h in 2.6 seconds. Top speed should be 120 or 130 km/h, depending on the BMW source you consult.
It makes me zoom smoothly and silently through my favorite city on earth. The acceleration at the many traffic lights is enough to keep a Ténéré 700 behind you, I notice. When you close the ‘throttle’ of the CE 04, you slow down enough not to have to apply the brakes. That ‘braking on the engine’ also ensures that the battery regenerates. That includes the kind of beeping sound that can be described as ‘Tuesday morning in the covid ward’. Well, every little bit helps to maintain the range, especially at a not so Spanish temperature of 4 degrees and the heated grips full at three. Charging itself is fast. With an installation of 10A, the battery is 100% charged in 4 hours and 20 minutes (80% in 3 hours), connected to a 30A installation you get a full charge after 1h40. But the range of the CE 04 is sufficient for a brisk ride in and around Barcelona, so be sure to go to work and do some shopping.
On a cold morning like this it is noticeable that the wind protection is virtually non-existent, only your legs are protected. Seat heating would have been nice on the somewhat bizarre saddle of the CE 04. It takes a while to find a comfortable sitting position, because the seat always pushes into the back of my knees. By the way, that saddle is equipped with a kind of strange measuring table in inches – although at these temperatures in my case there is nothing to unpack in running inches. Under the seat is a large storage space that opens from the side, and easily accommodates a full-face helmet and charging cable.
At 231 kg, the weight of the BMW CE 04 is relatively easy, and an initial feeling of understeer disappears as soon as the tires can maintain a little temperature. The CE 04 steers light and sharp. This is also demonstrated by a Barcelona motorcycle cop who comes for a test drive on his older electric C Evolution. The man races past us at a roundabout at a speed that leaves even WSBK driver Eugene Laverty (present at the invitation of employer BMW) with eyes bigger than the 15” wheels of the CE. The appearance of the CE 04 is already good for an average of seven inches of pupil diameter for the average spectator. The thing stands out, that much is clear.
In a city like Barcelona, an electric scooter really makes sense. And the CE 04 may be divisive in appearance, but I think it looks fresh. That’s how it feels, too, due to lack of wind protection. The range is more than adequate for city use, while the price and weight are almost equal to that of the other maxi scooters. If you have easy access to a charging point, the charging time is manageable. When it comes to scooters, I really like the electric transition, especially if they are as good as the CE 04.
Price Belgium: € 12,250 • Price Netherlands: € 12,650 • More info: bmw-motorrad.be
Text Pieter Ryckaert • Photography BMW
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