We test BMW's latest urban e-bike
Late last year, we had the pleasure of featuring BMW’s take on electric two-wheeler mobility: the CE 04. As was said, the German manufacturer has been toying around with the idea of electric two wheels since 2016 and even showcased a “boxer-engine” on its 2019 concept Vision DC Roadster.
This year, we sample BMW’s 2nd production electric two-wheeler dubbed the “e-Parkourer” – the CE 02.
Proudly made in India
During the CE 02’s official Philippine debut at this year’s Makina Moto Show, BMW Motorrad Head of South East Asia Region, Shivipada Ray, said that this e-Parkourer is proudly made in India, which is one of the fastest-growing countries in the world in terms of EV development and manufacturing. After popping the hood, or rather the seat to see what’s under it, the two removable lithium-ion battery packs reveal the TVS marque, signifying BMW’s continued technological partnership with one of India’s (and the world's) largest two-wheel manufacturers.
BMW’s G 310 GS and G 310 R are both developed and manufactured in collaboration with TVS.
Features
Powering the CE 02 are two lithium-ion batteries that can be removed to be charged inside an office or home when a charging port is unavailable at the parking slot or home garage. The power is then transferred to a 48-volt motor that churns out an instant 55 Nm of torque to the rear wheel. The power output is comparable to a 15 PS scooter.
Like any BMW Motorrad, the CE 02 e-Parkourer is packed with features for premium-market electric mobility. For instance, the CE 02 boasts 3 riding modes: “Flow” offers optimal throttle response for cruising along in urban traffic with regenerative braking; “Surf” provides a sportier throttle response, but without the regenerative braking; while the “Flash” riding mode offers a sporty and dynamic throttle response with maximum regenerative braking.
Regenerative braking is an energy recovery mechanism that slows down a moving vehicle by converting its kinetic energy (engine brake) into energy that recharges the battery. This somehow extends the range of the CE 02’s lithium-ion batteries.
Other features include a small TFT display, USB-C charging port, a smartphone cradle, all-LED lighting, inverted forks, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, Automatic Stability Control (ASC), keyless ignition (remote key), and reverse button.
The CE 02: plus/minus
When fully charged, the CE 02’s dash will indicate that it can go as far as 92 kilometers. However, different riding conditions and riding habits has an effect on this, and realistically speaking, the CE 02 may only take you within the 70-ish kilometer range in one full charge (minus).
On the plus side, the CE 02’s quick charger (although heavy and bulky) can recharge the twin lithium-ion batteries in as little as 2.5 hours in my experience. This is pretty fast considering that the other electric motorcycles available in the market today require 5-6 hours on the quick charger to fully charge their batteries.
Speaking of batteries (and as mentioned above), the CE 02 has 2 drive batteries that can be removed and they’re light enough to be carried and charged inside an office or at home when an outside charging port/plug is not available. The CE 02 can also run on 1 drive battery, but only with half the normal range.
Also on the plus side, the instant torque delivery meant that the CE 02 can outrun many motorcycles and scooters similar to its size – helpful when you’re in a hurry in the urban jungle called Metro Manila.
On the minus side, the CE 02 does not use the Type 2 charging plug that is commonly available in EV charging stations in malls, gas stations, and parking lots. This means that if you’re planning on riding the CE 02 beyond 70 kilometers, bring the charger and put it in your backpack.
On the plus side, however, you can plug the CE 02’s charger into any regular household socket without any modifications. If an extension cord is needed, in my experience, I only used a 3A extension cord and had no issues whatsoever.
The CE 02 will also go on some kind of a “limp mode” whenever the battery charge goes down to 30% and below. This “limp mode”, would only allow up to 60-70 kilometers per hour top speed coupled with a turtle-ish throttle response. Obviously, this is done to further extend whatever battery juice is remaining.
On the plus side, the CE 02’s 132-kilogram weight means that you can easily weave in and out of Metro Manila’s traffic because it is light and agile. Also on the plus side are the ASC (traction control) and ABS rider aids that make your commute extra safe.
On the minus side, the BMW Motorrad Connected app – which is supposed to allow me to manage calls, navigate, and record my trips with the CE 02 – always stops working and remains unusable throughout the e-Parkourer’s stint with me. I’m not sure if it’s my phone or the poor data signal from Globe Telecom, but it just didn’t work for me.
All in all, the CE 02 with its BMW badge and parkour-inspired design is a certified head turner and is one of those two-wheelers which you can put on your fun-to-ride list. Expect to get a lot of praise, funny but honest-to-goodness inquiries from fellow motorcycle riders, as well as “boss, ilang cc yan?” whenever you’re on the road onboard the CE 02. Since it is technically an e-bike, the CE 02 can also be ridden on designated bike lanes but always give courtesy to cyclists. The CE 02 also has a reverse function which is fun to use when parking or when you’re just feeling silly and playful. After all, not too many two-wheelers have a reverse function, right?
The word expensive, in many ways, can be subjective and may be different from each person’s perspective. For example, a meal at a local fast food can be considered expensive by a person with a meager income, while a person who’s in the business of trading stocks will consider it very affordable.
The same goes with the CE 02’s SRP of PHP 595,000 – which is about half the SRP of the new F 900 GS.
