by Mark Appleton
Whilst most companies have been quick to bring out some form of electric vehicle be it two or four wheels, BMW have been doing things at their own pace, taking their time.
BMW Motorrad in particular it seems, get that electric or alternative fuel motorcycles and scooters could be big business, but just rushing into it isn’t the right idea. They recognise that growing traffic volumes, rising energy costs and stricter and stricter CO2 emissions means people will have to change how they think about transport.
In recognising this, BMW Motorrad has expanded its business activities with the addition of the “Urban Mobility” area and are presenting two serial production maxi scooters, the C 600 Sport and C 650 GT.
BMW Motorrad are aiming for a premium product here with the C range. We first saw them at the BMW Motorrad Innovation day, then again in their second stage at the IAA in Frankfurt with the BMW Concept e.
This third iteration, the ‘C evolution’, is the near-production prototype and an e-scooter. BMW had two clear goals for the C range: performance figures comparable to those of a maxi scooter with a combustion engine and a long range in realistic conditions of use.
There are five of these scooters being used in ‘real conditions’ within areas that ‘reflect their intended environment’, it’s just that BMW fail to say exactly what they are!
BMW say the aim is to see if the infrastructure is up to taking a vehicle such as this, they seem to be looking in particular at rental companies and car-sharing firms.
It’s good to see a company not just rush out and stick an electric motor into a bike and expect it to work. Time will tell if, in playing the long game, BMW Motorrad really do have a ‘premium product’.
The highlights at a glance:
- Innovative electric drive via drivetrain swing arm with liquid-cooled alternator, tooth belt and planetary gear
- 11 kW continuous output (homologation according to ECE R85) and 35 kW peak output
- 120 km/h max. speed
- High range of up to 100 kilometres due to large battery capacity
- High-voltage battery with high capacity (8 kWh) and innovative air cooling
- Intelligent recuperation in coasting mode and when braking
- Short charging times
- Synergy effects with BMW automobiles and electrical safety to car standards
- Hybrid chassis with agile handling due to low centre of gravity
- Powerful braking system with ABS
- Lightweight Metzeler Feelgreen tyres
- Multifunctional TFT instrument cluster and LED daytime running light
- Innovative colour concept and design
