Silent revolution in urban mobility

The BMW CE 04 is not simply an electric scooter. It is BMW Motorradы attempt to redefine urban mobility. It is built for the metropolis, where quick acceleration from a traffic light, compactness, zero local emissions, digital services and design that looks like a statement rather than a compromise all matter. With the BMW CE 04, BMW Motorrad continues its electric mobility strategy for the city, combining an electric drive system, futuristic styling and technologies familiar from modern BMW automobiles.

The story of the BMW CE 04 began with the BMW Motorrad Concept Link, presented in 2017, and the near-production BMW Motorrad Definition CE 04 prototype shown in 2020. Even then, it was clear that BMW did not simply want to replace a petrol scooter with an electric one. The idea was different: to create a new type of urban two-wheeled transport — emotional, technological and visually unmistakable.

Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, called the BMW CE 04 the company’s new electric “star for the city.” According to him, the model combines an electric drive system, emotion and genuine motorcycle-style riding pleasure, while using the latest technologies, including battery-cell know-how connected with the development of the BMW iX. He also underlined BMW Motorrad’s strategic direction: future urban models from the brand are expected to become increasingly electric.

Optimal power and range for city use

The BMW CE 04 is equipped with an electric motor producing a maximum output of 42 hp, giving it a lively and confident riding character. Acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h takes just 2.6 seconds — exactly the performance range that matters most in the city. A reduced-output version offers up to 31 hp. In both cases, top speed is around 120 km/h, making the scooter suitable not only for city centres, but also for main roads and highways.

The battery capacity of the BMW CE 04 is 60.6 Ah, or 8.9 kWh. Range is approximately 130 km, or about 100 km in the reduced-output version. For daily urban commuting, the ride to work, meetings, short business routes and small weekend trips, this provides a comfortable margin.

Innovative drivetrain: a liquid-cooled electric motor

The synchronous electric motor in the BMW CE 04 uses permanent magnets and is positioned within the frame between the battery and the rear wheel. Similar engineering solutions have been used in electrified BMW Group vehicles, allowing BMW Motorrad to draw on the company’s experience with electric drive systems and high-voltage technology.

BMW Motorrad carried out extensive road testing and developed specific recuperation logic for the different riding modes. The system returns energy to the battery whenever possible and, in certain situations, creates an engine-braking effect familiar from motorcycles with internal combustion engines. This makes control feel more natural and helps the rider manage the scooter more precisely in city traffic.

One of the most important engineering challenges was cooling the high-voltage battery. Temperatures that are too low increase the internal resistance of the cells and reduce performance, while overheating can negatively affect battery life. The BMW CE 04 uses a special cooling system that dissipates heat from the battery through a cooling plate with longitudinal ribs.

The electric drivetrain configuration also allows useful everyday functions. For example, the BMW CE 04 has a reverse assist system. It is activated on the left handlebar, and its operation is shown on the TFT display. In this mode, the scooter can move slowly backwards at walking speed, making parking and tight manoeuvres much easier.

Fast charging and technology based on BMW automotive experience

One of the advantages of BMW Motorrad is its ability to use BMW Group’s engineering experience in electric vehicles. This applies to components, high-voltage technology, safety standards and charging logic. As a result, the BMW CE 04 uses a charging architecture close in philosophy to BMW’s automotive solutions.

The lithium-ion battery can be charged through the built-in 2.3 kW charger from a household socket, a wallbox or a public charging station. A full charge from 0 to 100% takes around 4 hours and 20 minutes. With the optional fast charger of up to 6.9 kW, this time is reduced to about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Charging from 20% to 80% with the fast charger takes around 45 minutes.

A Mode 3 charging cable is used for faster charging from a home wallbox or public charging station. As with BMW cars, BMW Charging services are available for the BMW CE 04, expanding charging options and making everyday electric scooter use more flexible.

ASC and DTC: more stability under acceleration and recuperation

The ASC system available for the BMW CE 04 is similar in logic to Automatic Stability Control on BMW motorcycles with internal combustion engines. It limits drive torque depending on the amount of rear-wheel slip and helps maintain stability during acceleration.

ASC also helps prevent rear-wheel lock-up during intensive recuperation, especially on surfaces with low grip. The optional DTC system provides an even higher level of control when accelerating, including when leaning, which is especially important for confident riding in city traffic and on slippery roads.

ECO, Rain and Road riding modes — with optional Dynamic

In developing the BMW CE 04, BMW Motorrad placed strong emphasis on the ability to choose between efficiency, safety and riding pleasure. Three riding modes are standard: ECO, Rain and Road.

In ECO mode, maximum recuperation is combined with more restrained power delivery, helping conserve energy and increase range. Rain mode makes the drivetrain response smoother, improving confidence on wet or slippery roads. Road mode gives the rider access to the scooter’s full dynamic potential for everyday use.

The optional Dynamic mode sharpens the character of the BMW CE 04. Acceleration becomes more expressive, and recuperation becomes more intensive. This is where the charm of electric mobility is felt most clearly: instant torque, no hesitation and a very direct response to the rider’s right hand.

Stable chassis and comfortable suspension

The frame of the BMW CE 04 is a tubular steel construction. At the front, there is a telescopic fork with 35 mm tubes, while the rear uses a single-sided swingarm and an enclosed suspension strut. Tyre sizes are 120/70 R15 at the front and 160/60 R15 at the rear.

With a wheelbase of 1,675 mm, the scooter has geometry close to that of a motorcycle. On the road, this translates into good manoeuvrability and stability at higher speeds. The BMW CE 04 weighs around 231 kg, comparable to large scooters with internal combustion engines.

Powerful brakes and optional ABS Pro

Dual front disc brakes with fixed four-piston calipers, combined with a single rear disc and one-piston floating caliper, provide confident deceleration. BMW Motorrad ABS is standard and increases active safety.

Optional ABS Pro expands the braking system’s capabilities by taking lean angle into account when braking in corners. This is especially important on two-wheeled vehicles, where stability while leaning is directly connected to rider confidence and safety.

A 10.25-inch colour TFT display with integrated navigation

The standard equipment of the BMW CE 04 includes a 10.25-inch Full HD colour TFT display with integrated navigation. It features an intuitive interface, excellent readability and places the BMW scooter on the same digital level as modern connected cars. Navigation can be shown directly on the instrument panel, so an additional screen is no longer needed.

The navigation works together with the BMW Motorrad Connected App. Through the app, the owner receives current maps, can plan routes, import them from external services and use digital functions that make every ride more convenient.

The display is covered with strong tempered glass designed for everyday use. The screen has an anti-reflective coating and is protected against dirt, scratches and fingerprints.

Telephony and deep smartphone integration

In addition to standard connectivity and navigation displayed on the instrument panel, the BMW CE 04 offers telephony with smartphone integration. A mobile device can be stored in a ventilated, splash-protected compartment on the left side, where a USB port is provided for charging. Inside the compartment, the smartphone is secured with a retaining device, making the setup particularly practical for everyday rides.

LED lighting and optional adaptive Headlight Pro

The BMW CE 04 is equipped with modern LED lighting, including low-beam and high-beam headlights, rear light and turn indicators. For night riding, adaptive Headlight Pro with cornering light is available as an option.

The adaptive system is activated at lean angles of more than 10 degrees and speeds above 10 km/h, helping illuminate the road more effectively through corners. Special lighting functions such as welcome and goodbye animations may also be available.

Futuristic design and expressive colour schemes

The BMW CE 04 represents a new type of urban two-wheeled mobility. Its design does not try to hide the scooter’s electric nature; instead, it emphasizes it. A low, stretched silhouette, horizontal lines, the “floating” seat and a visually open architecture make the model instantly recognizable.

The standard look is shaped by Light White paint, matte black sections at the front and sides, and a minimalist silhouette. The wheel design suggests a monolithic construction, while the side stand is neatly integrated into the overall appearance.

The optional Avantgarde exterior design makes the BMW CE 04 even more expressive, combining Magellan Grey metallic paint, a black-and-orange seat, an orange windscreen and graphic elements that underline the model’s contemporary urban character.

Additional options

Several equipment lines and packages are available for the BMW CE 04. In addition to the Avantgarde design, Comfort and Dynamic packages are offered. The Comfort package adds a heated seat and heated grips, especially important for urban transport in cooler climates. The Dynamic package includes ABS Pro, DTC, Headlight Pro and Dynamic riding mode.

In the end, the BMW CE 04 is not merely an electric scooter for city commuting. It is a new type of premium urban transport: quick, quiet, technological, visually bold and created for those who want to move through the metropolis in a modern, clean and genuinely enjoyable way.