The Stylish 2024 BMW CE 02 Is An Affordable Electric Motorcycle, Even If BMW Wants To Call It Something Else

BMW has added a new electric motorcycle to its lineup. Joining the CE 04 electric maxi-scooter is the CE 02, BMW’s first electric motorcycle that comes in at an affordable $7,599. The little scoot promises 15 horsepower, 40.6 lb-ft torque, and 56 miles of range. Though, BMW is quite adamant that you don’t call it an electric motorcycle or an electric scooter, but an “eParkourer.”

Lovers of electric vehicles are spoiled for choice right now. Electric motorcycles can be found under countless brands from startups to household names, and you can get a bit of everything from city runabouts to electric adventure bikes. BMW has been toiling away at electric propulsion for over a decade. First shown in 2011 and put into production in 2014, the BMW C Evolution was an urban electric scooter. In 2017, BMW Motorrad unveiled the Concept Link, which would eventually go into production as the CE 04, replacing the C Evolution. The CE 04 is notable for its futuristic looks.

Still, BMW Motorrad has gone all of this time without building a true electric motorcycle. Though, as Motorcycle.com reported in 2022, BMW indicated that had two electric motorcycles in the works and that the marque has plans to introduce a new electric two-wheeler every 18 to 24 months. One of these upcoming motorcycles might be an electric motorcycle with a central unit designed to look like a boxer engine. We’ll have to wait and see what comes from that, but now, we get to check out the other electric motorcycle that BMW has about to hit the road.

This is the CE 02, and while BMW doesn’t want to use the term, it’s technically the firm’s first electric motorcycle.

Targeting The “Yutes”

This motorcycle is the production version of the Concept CE 02, which was first unveiled back in January 2021. Back then, BMW Motorrad said it was neither a scooter nor a motorcycle, but is “an exciting and highly emotional mobility offer.”

BMW made it clear what demographic it was targeting:

With its compact dimensions and youthful proportions, it also clearly appeals to a new target group: people aged 16 and over, who have not ridden a motorbike before but are open to new experiences, smart technology and, above all, combining mobility with fun.

BMW continues that the concept was designed to be an accessible two-wheeler for everyone who wants to be mobile and independent. Further, BMW saw potential riders stickerbombing their CE 02s and treating it more or less like a two-wheeled skateboard. Now, the production version of that concept has been revealed. The production BMW CE 02 looks like the concept version, but with small changes to make it road legal and more comfortable for the rider. Note the mirrors, guard for the belt drive, and front fender.

The 2024 BMW CE 02 targets youth just like its concept did. In Europe, 16-year-olds will be able to ride the standard version and there will be a derated version that 15-year-olds can ride. Here in the United States, the company is still targeting young people with the bike, but specific age groups aren’t noted. Regardless of region, BMW Motorrad insists that the production model isn’t a scooter or a motorcycle, but an “eParkourer.” Though, weirdly, BMW doesn’t really define what that’s supposed to mean. I guess this is supposed to be the motorcycle equivalent of those parkour videos that were popular like a decade ago?

The marketing here is a little cringe and perhaps a little disconnected. I mean, what teenager is paying $7,599 for an electric motorcycle? Really, what I see here is an electric motorcycle for urban environments and just enough power for a short jaunt down a highway-speed road if necessary.

The 2024 BMW CE 02

The new BMW CE 02 has what BMW calls an “uncomplicated, youthful form of single-track mobility.” In other words, the motorcycle is minimalist and is supposed to stand for lightness and fun. BMW also says that the bike’s design, along with its black base color, gives the rider a blank canvas to customize as they please. The marque explains that the focus wasn’t on utility but on emotional appeal, riding pleasure, and almost intuitive use.

Under that funky design sits an air-cooled synchronous motor that gets its juice from a pair of removable air-cooled 48V lithium-ion batteries with 1.96 kWh each. That motor is rated at 15 HP peak, 8 HP nominal, and puts out 40.6 lb-ft torque. The CE 02 is capable of a top speed of 59 mph and is good for 56 miles on a charge. Power reaches the rear wheel through a belt drive system. In Europe, this version will be targeted at 16-year-olds, and there will be another version making 5 HP capable of a top speed of 28 mph. Those will be for 15-year-olds. We’re getting the 15 HP unit.

Charging the two batteries is a 0.9 kW external charger. BMW says that charger can fill those batteries from 0 percent to 100 percent in 5 hours and 30 minutes. Getting from 20 percent to 80 percent takes 2 hours and 50 minutes. BMW will offer an optional 1.5 kW charger, which cuts a full charge down to 4 hours and 5 minutes and a charge from 20 percent to 80 percent to 2 hours and 20 minutes.

In terms of technology, you get ABS on the motorcycle’s front wheel, stability control, and stability control for the bike’s energy recuperation system. Other tech comes in the form of a reversing aid, USB-C charge port, keyless operation, 3.5-inch display, and LED lighting. There are two standard ride modes. “Flow” has a soft throttle response and maximum regeneration while “Surf” gets a direct throttle response and no regen.

This all rides on a double-loop steel tube frame riding on upside down 37 mm telescopic forks, a single-sided swingarm with a preload adjustable monoshock, and 14-inch wheels. The suspension gets 4.6 inches of travel and the seat sits 29.5 inches off of the ground. Braking is handled through a 239mm disc with a two-piston caliper up front while a 220mm disc and a single-piston caliper bring up the rear.

Also notable is the fact that the 2024 BMW CE 02 can carry two people. There are no foot controls, so braking is handled through the levers like a scooter. When riding solo, the rider can choose to use the more relaxed forward pegs or the rearward pegs, which also double as the passenger’s pegs when you have someone to ride with you.

All of this adds up to 291 pounds, though it’s unclear how much of that weight is in the batteries. The base 2024 BMW CE 02 comes in black with gray and silver accents plus 9 decals. That’s the $7,599 version, before destination charges. For $875 you can get the Highline Package, which gets you a tri-color seat, gold forks, 22 decals, heated grips, the faster charger, and Bluetooth connectivity. You also get one more ride mode called “Flash,” which is described as “sporty and dynamic.” Options include an alarm system, side cases of various sizes, a top case, and a luggage rack.

The Competition

That $7,599 price puts it in competition with the $7,800 Ryvid Anthem, which goes 75 mph and about 75 miles on a charge. The Beemer also goes up against the $6,500 Sondors MetaCycle, which goes up to 80 mph and about 60 miles on a charge. For an entry from China, the CSC RX1E is an $8,495 electric adventure bike with an 80 mph top speed and up to 112 miles of range. For one more comparison, the BMW will also go up against the $6,995 Kollter ES1-S Pro, which goes more than 60 mph and has a range of up to 70 miles.

This puts the 2024 BMW CE 02 at a disadvantage. All of those bikes are close to the price of the BMW or are cheaper and on paper are faster and have better range. On the other hand, most of those other companies are startups or are imports from China. As RevZilla pointed out in a recent video, a motorcycle from a startup (the Sondors was used as an example) might be so new that if you were to break them, you’ll be out of commission for a while as there aren’t really replacement parts yet. We’ve written about many electric motorcycle startups making bikes in this price range. BMW Motorrad is easily the biggest name in this field of sub-$9,000 electric motorcycles.

The CE 02 is expected to hit dealerships here in America in early 2024. With the 2024 BMW CE 02, it seems the marque has an admirable first electric motorcycle, even if BMW doesn’t want to call it a motorcycle. It’s certainly not the most practical thing out there and targeting teens with a $7,599 bike is a bit odd, but the CE 02 looks like an attractive machine for someone wanting a stylish city runabout from a long-established brand.

(Images: BMW Motorrad)

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