BMW CE04: the test of the new electric scooter [PHOTO]

Il CE04 it is the new electric vehicle from BMW, has an innovative design, 130 km of autonomy and is ready to populate modern cities.

Aesthetics

Today this CE04 is the only exponent of the electric two-wheel family at BMW, replacing the old C Evolution presented in 2017 and withdrawn from the market in 2021. If its predecessor risked being confused with all the other scooters, this new green vehicle stands out for its extravagant shapes and futuristic profiles. The CE04 in fact overturns the typical scooter references that we usually see in every corner of our cities. At the front, the hub and the JJuan branded braking system are wrapped in plastic that becomes one with the fairing. The headlight is full-LED and above it there is a small windscreen with a questionable practical function but which aesthetically creates a contrast with the opaque plastic of the central area.

Wrapped behind the plexi is the 10,25 inch TFT color display. The element that attracts attention most of all about this electric scooter is the unusual saddle, long and thin. Under the seat we find a practical compartment capable of hosting the charging cable and a jet helmet. The rear axle is enriched by a modern single-sided swingarm which highlights the full rear wheel, an unusual stylistic choice but one we appreciate. The choice of the hollow wheel axle inside is refined, echoing the "large" ones of the brand. The colors available are white or blue (Avantgarde) both enriched by orange inserts, there is also a third, more sober version in total white.

Dashboard and controls

In every part of this CE04 we find distinctive and modern elements, the dashboard is no different. Through one very intuitive graphics the screen offers all the necessary information, in addition to the most common ones we also find tire pressure, engine temperatures and batteries. It is possible to connect your smartphone to this BMW electric scooter, having access to the navigation, music and telephone panels, especially useful if combined with a Bluetooth intercom.

On the handlebar, in addition to the essential buttons, the CE04 features the now widespread BMW circular ring on the left for navigation in the menus on board and a button to enable reverse gear, very useful when maneuvering from a standstill. On the right block there is the button to activate the heated grips and the one for choosing the driving mode. The controls are complete, inherited from its older sisters, created and developed for long journeys. In the pushbutton panels, the geometry of the levers and knobs are in fact comfortable and intuitive.

Engine and batteries

In the full-power version the CE04 is driven by an engine capable of releasing 42 HP while the maximum speed is limited to 130 km/h. The autonomy, as for any electric vehicle, depends greatly on the instantaneous power required from the engine. In a balanced use between urban and extra-urban, with a full charge we were able to cover around 100 km. What greatly influences the autonomy of this CE04 are the mappings that can be chosen between Eco, Road, Rain and Dynamic (as optional).

Every single mode it is characterized by a different setting in terms of torque delivered and invasiveness of regenerative braking. The scooter accepts 2,3 kW domestic socket charging mode and also 6,9 kW fast charging mode. The slowest mode takes about 3 and a half hours to reach 80% battery charge while the fastest mode only takes 65 minutes. During charging it is possible to select the power absorbed by the charger so as not to overload the home network.

In the saddle

The CE04 certainly does not go unnoticed. The futuristic lines and its typical slender design make it young and intriguing. BMW sacrificed comfort and agility by focusing heavily on looks. The delicate compromise between these two aspects is evident. We used the scooter in the city and we were satisfied, it is snappy at traffic lights and always ready. The regenerative braking gives a lot of safety and as soon as you leave the accelerator the system already slows down the vehicle considerably, making it even more reactive. For this reason braking, even if excellent, in some circumstances is just an extra. The saddle is lightly padded and after a few dozen minutes in the saddle it makes itself felt, it is as wide as a cross seat and this helps in maneuvering with your feet on the ground.

The sore point of this CE04 is the little agility, the weight distribution lowers the center of gravity but not enough to compensate for the length of the vehicle (2,28m) and the 15-inch wheels. Many times in traffic we were forced to give way to the snappy traditional 'high wheels'. There is still talk of compromises on a green vehicle, but this time BMW did not make us perceive poor autonomy or lack of performance. Once again the German company has raised the bar by bringing to the market a solid, reliable product of a higher level than the electric competition. The price starting price for this scooter does not vary depending on the power required and is €12.550, pay attention to eco-incentives.