BMW CE 02

When talking about BMW two-wheelers, one would ideally picture these three models – G 310 RR, S 1000 RR, or the R 1250 GS. But it is seldom that you would think of an electric scooter. It stands true even though the brand has already had the CE 04 for a while, it is unicorn, thanks to the nearly Rs. 15 lakh price tag. But the Bavarian automaker had another trick up its sleeve: the CE 02. Now, this one not only sits under the CE 04 but also will be the most affordable EV from BMW for a while.

But what is it like in the real world? Is it a scooter or a motorcycle? And since it is a BMW, we expect it to come at a hefty asking price. But how much could that be? And lastly, should you consider purchasing it? After spending a meagre 25-30 minutes with the BMW CE 02, we have tried to answer all these questions. So, read on…

The form factor for the BMW CE 02 scores it a point in the early rounds. It looks completely unconventional and something you don’t see on the road at all. Oriented towards urban mobility, the CE 02 is a small but futuristic-looking EV. Although we rode it just for a short span in the hustle-bustle of Gurgaon, the CE 02 managed to not only stand out but also turn heads on every main road, bylane, or parking lot we went to. Passers-by constantly wanted to know which BMW two-wheeler this was and how much it costs. More on the pricing towards the end of this review.

BMW offers the CE 02 in two colours – Cosmic Black and Cosmic Black 2. We had the latter one and it came loaded with the Highline package. This included the tri-colour seat cover (black, blue, and white), colour tape on the wheels, and golden colour USD front forks. Moreover, some of the test ride units were even equipped with a blue visor up front which complemented the black overall theme.

Along with its funky and compact design, the BMW CE 02 manages to pack quite a bit of features too. This petite German EV gets LED illumination, a USB type-C charging port, two ride modes – Flow, Surf, single-channel ABS, stability control, reverse mode, keyless operation, anti-theft alarm, and a 3.5-inch micro TFT.

Powering the CE 02 is an 11kW motor with a peak output of 15 bhp and 55 Nm. It is powered by a pair of 1.96kWh lithium-ion batteries that claim to offer 108km range (ICAT certified) and a top speed of 96kmph. The charging time using the standard 0.9kW charger for the CE 02 is 5 hours and 12 minutes whereas the 1.5kW unit does it in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

The Highline package also offers an extra ride mode called Flash, specific coloured tapes for visual appeal, golden anodized front forks, a tri-coloured seat, heated grips, a smartphone holder plus connectivity, and the 1.5kW quick charger.

The first thing we noticed while boarding the BMW CE 02 was its compactness but with a relatively clean build. It has a premium touch with a high feel-good factor. From the handlebar to the seat cover, the colours, the adjustable levers and their finishing, and the switches, everything on the baby CE exudes a sense of upmarket and elite. The long skateboard-like seat feels slightly narrow but you get used to it once on the go. However, a somewhat better padding on the edges would be helpful. That said, the seat may look like it can house two people, but that won’t be the case with two full-size adults.

Once on the move, the CE 02 feels quick and accelerates swiftly. Since the test unit boasted the Highline package, it features three riding modes - Flow, Surf, and Flash. We toggled through all of them on our short spin with the 02 and experienced only a marginal difference in the acceleration. However, the change in regenerative braking in each mode was more pronounced compared to the thrust when pinning the throttle. I also felt the CE 02 could do a slightly better job in its braking department as its current setup felt soft and lacked sharpness in terms of the bite.

The CE 02 weighs 142kg which is slightly high for such a small two-wheeler. But the weight doesn’t bother in the real world as it feels agile while on the move and the directional changes are rather intuitive. However, since the centre of mass is slightly higher with the battery pack placed above the front footpegs, balancing the CE 02 may not feel natural at first. But if you scoot back on the seat, things get better and with the weight shift, the CE 02’s manoeuvring feels normal and something that you would get easily used. Plus, the 14-inch wheels also add to the stability but we need to ride the CE 02 more for a detailed experience of the same.

While the CE 02 may appeal to many with its design, and the BMW badge, it isn’t meant for the masses. This EV looks the part, packs a decent punch, boasts nifty features, sports superior build quality, and also has brand recognition. However, it is meant for urban mobility but we feel the experience can be better with the additional storage pockets as standard, better brakes, slightly plusher ride quality and the ability to accommodate two full-size adults.

The BMW CE 02 is priced at Rs 4.5 lakh, ex-showroom which may seem like a properly expensive offering considering it is a scooter. However, when you factor in the BMW badge value and the ease with which the CE 02 takes on the urban jungle, the asking price is justified. So, if you want a fun electric scooter for the city to run about, and turn heads while at it, then the CE 02 could be a part of your garage.

Photography by Kapil Angane