BMW Motorrad is working on new motorcycles and scooters to expand its Indian two-wheeler portfolio. In this way, the brand launched the BMW C400 GT maxi-scooter in our country last year, and now reports are coming that the brand is gearing up to debut the electric scooter in the Indian market. In the past few years, the electric vehicle segment has witnessed significant growth and led to the entry of many new electric vehicles, especially scooters, in India.
According to BMW Group India President Vikram Pawah, the success of the BMW C400 GT maxi-scooter made them believe that there is a good scope for premium products in the country, and now they are planning to introduce the CE 04 electric maxi-scooter here. Though this scooter will be sold in our market via the CBU route, that will affect its price also. Currently, the scooter is being sold in European markets and produced there as well.
At first glance, the BMW CE 04 maxi-scooter looks mind-boggling. The orange-finished windshield design is quite distinctive; however, it appears to have been developed for purely aesthetic reasons, as it is unlikely to divert wind. The seats are attractive but, at the same time, not comfortable for the rider and the pillion. Keeping with the maxi-styled shape, it is not a step-through scooter because the middle tube is loaded with batteries.
As for the battery, the CE 04 supports an 8.9 kWh battery pack, which is larger than the Ola S1 Pro. This battery pack is similar to one of the 11 modules featured in BMW’s iX electric SUVs. Instead of developing new EV components, BMW is recycling what they currently have. The engine is capable of producing 42 hp and 62 Nm of torque. The scooter costs $14,180, which is around Rs. 11.30 lakh in the global markets. We will get the top-spec model at a cost of between Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 18 lakh owing to Indian import tariffs and taxes.
