CE 02, what the BMW electric scooter offers and how it goes

Non-conformist, easy, silent, extremely agile.In the "cinquantino" or 125 versions, perfect for urban commuting, CE 02 is the latest BMW electric scooter.

Easy is the first feeling that comes to mind.Agile is the second, as soon as you get on the saddle and cover the first, silent meters.The third?Funny, a lot.After the electric maxi scooter CE 04, BMW returns to the theme of urban mobility and with CE 02 offers a scooter with an original design, essential and accessible.Available in the version with power from 4 kW (5 horsepower) comparable to a 50 cc moped (L1, therefore drivable at 14 with an AM license) or the more performing L3 (subject of our test) with a maximum power of 11 kW (15 horsepower) drivable from 16 years of age with an A1 licence, CE 02 combines the performance and efficiency of an electric scooter with the agility of an e-bike. Up to 90 kilometers of declared electric range, short charging times, which can be carried out from a normal home socket.

BMW CE 02, big wheels and fine brains

As always, we leave the last word on design to you. Particular signs, the large wheels, the generous disc brakes, the black color as dominant, alternating matt and shiny surfaces, the gold-colored forks.CE 02 is certainly not a scooter that goes unnoticed.Furthermore, there is a program that allows you to customize it by adding accessories as desired (including heated grips), varying colors, choosing between two types of saddle.Of course, the price (already not light, part from 7,750 euros) so it risks rising.

First impressions, as we anticipated, are those of being on the saddle of an urban "toy", with a low, compact center of gravity, wide handlebars, with the possibility of placing your feet on the traditional footrests or on the more advanced ones to find the most congenial position even at the height.The CE 02 is started keyless and you can tell from the first few meters that it is light (just over 100 kilos). Space? If you want, you can fit in two, as long as you're not giants.

If the smartphone becomes a second display

A few buttons on the handlebar, a 3.5 inch display with everything you need, the smartphone to use as a navigator (and much more by downloading the BMW app), choose one of the driving modes and go.The CE 02 shows everything you need, once again intuitive and easy:from speed to battery charge status, the display is easy to read.There is a USB-C socket for charging the smartphone (which attaches to the appropriate support) which, by downloading the Motorrad connected app, becomes an on-board computer:show i charging times via Bluetooth, it acts as an additional display connected to the buttons on the handlebar, records trips and much more.

Surf, Flow or Flash?

At BMW they call it the “Riding experience”, Surfing to go away silent and relaxed in traffic (but without regenerating when braking), Flow for a compromise between performance and autonomy, to be exploited on extra-urban journeys.The last option is Flash (optional to be requested separately) which, nomen omen, exploits all the available power, while also ensuring maximum energy regeneration during braking;in the end the latter ends up being the most used method.And for the lazy there is even one reverse.

Safety:There is ABS, but only on the front wheel...

Fast (even reaching 100 km/h if desired), quick at traffic lights, very agile.Perhaps a stiff edge on potholes and cobblestones in Milan (where we tested the CE 02), an aspect that improves significantly by choosing the saddle with more padding.On safety, there is the traction control which allows you to exploit the notable acceleration without risks, while BMW's choice to mount theAbs (which prevents the wheels from locking when braking) only on the front wheel alone, while the rear brake is not equipped with one, road safety should always and only be a priority, even at the cost of sacrificing (possible) fun.