MCN runs shots of BMW CE 04 electric scooter, spotted in the wild

[advrider]

Zap! Brit moto-outlet MCN has photos of BMW’s Definition CE 04 electric scooter project, being put through its paces out in the wild. From what we can see, the step-through appears near-ready for production. See the photos here.

BMW had the C Evolution electric scooter in its lineup for a while in the 2010s, but it was a Euro-only model, never making it to the US or Canada. That was the company’s first production electric two-wheeler, but over the past decade, we’ve seen plenty of concept bikes. Last fall, the Definition CE 04 was one of those concept machines, with photos appearing in November.

The C Evolution scooter was kind of a plain-jane adaptation of existing step-through design, but the Definition CE 04 concept boldly forged into new territory. Along with next-generation styling (sort of an Akira vibe), the Definition CE 04 also came with some interesting ideas for accessories, with ideas like an augmented riding jacket with wireless connection to the scooter, offering haptic feedback or other functions.

None of that gadgetry is evident in the spy photos on MCN. We aren’t running the photos here due to the sketchiness of the spy shot world, but these appear to be the real deal, an actual in-the-wild spotting of a machine testing (unlike a few years back, when pro-level photos of test bikes were commonplace, leaving editors wondering if they were being asked to purchase factory marketing shots …).

When we ran our initial write-up on the Definition CE 04, we suggested BMW planned full-on electric motorcycles in about four years, but this electric scooter would see sooner release. Seeing it in what appears to be almost-completed form, undergoing testing, we would not be surprised to see the machine unveiled this fall as a 2022 model.

At the time of its initial reveal, BMW figured the Definition CE 04 would have as much as 80 miles of battery range. That would be enough for urban commuters, but probably not enough for all-day pleasure riding, unless BMW comes up with some sort of quick-swap or quick-charge design. BMW is putting a lot of resources into battery development these days, though, so we may see an improvement in this at launch.

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