2024 BMW CE 02 Electric Scooter Preview

BMW’s new 2024 BMW CE 02 electric is finally coming to town, according to the brand, which has announced that the urban-flavored runabout is now available for preorder. “Urban-flavored” may not even be a strong enough description; Germany’s calling the new electric scooter an “eParkourer,” somehow implying that this quasi electric motorcycle is equipped to “traverse obstacles in the…environment through the use of running, jumping, and climbing” (thank you, Britannica, for that). Perhaps that youthful design will catch the eye of a couple of skateboarding hipsters, hopes BMW; the CE 02 is “created for the urban environment,” and while the bike’s athletically stylish vibe definitely feels more youthful than Germany’s previous robotic electric designs (see: CE 04), it comes at a price, with a starting MSRP of $7,599. There aren’t many aspiring young skateboarders we know who can write that check.

Editor’s note: Motorcyclist Magazine will be at BMW Motorrad’s official U.S. press introduction next week. Stay tuned for live editorial on this product via our official Instagram, Facebook and Twitter channels.

At the core of the CE 02 lies a supercompact chassis consisting of a steel double-loop frame with an upside-down 37mm fork and a single-sided swingarm and directly mounted, preload-adjustable shock. Sporting a wheelbase of just 53.2 inches and a head angle at a steep 24.5 degrees, the CE 02 also rolls on 14-inch wheels, which would suggest a high emphasis on agility. Brakes consist of a 239mm disc up front and a 220mm disc at the rear, with ABS available on the front wheel only.

Related: 2022 BMW CE 04 First Ride Review

Blacked-out components are the dominant theme here, with the frame, wheels, and front fender doused in ebony, and the disc wheels designed to emphasize the proportions; a touch of gray on the motor cover offers contrast. BMW says the “reduced design offers plenty of scope for your own design options,” which can be translated to mean “check out all our available accessories.”

The CE 02′s promising suspension arrangement gives you a hydraulically damped, 37mm telescopic fork and a shock with adjustable spring preload paired with a set of wide 120/80-14 (front) and 150/70-14 (rear) tires to further help tame the urban potholes. The combination of short wheelbase, low weight of only 291 pounds, and a seat height of 29.5 inches means the CE 02 is likely to feel nimble in motion as well, with dual-position footrests giving riders the option of a relaxed leg placement or a more sporty lean.

As for motivation, the steel frame holds an air-cooled, current-excited synchronous motor, which takes its energy from two air-cooled lithium-ion batteries. Those cells, with an operating voltage of 48V and an energy content of 1.96kWh each, are also removable. The CE 02 has a maximum claimed output of 15 hp (8 hp nominally) and with 40.5 lb.-ft. of torque available from the jump, the scoot is likely to reach its claimed top speed of 59 mph in no time. According to BMW, range is more than 56 miles, give or take.

Riders also get a fairly sophisticated electronics package which includes Automatic Stability Control and Recuperative Stability Control as standard equipment, as well as two ride modes, Flow and Surf (the Highline Package upgrade delivers a third mode, Flash). Flow serves up a softer throttle response and medium energy recuperation, while Surf gives riders a more direct throttle with snappier acceleration and the sportier Flash mode goes for max output. Other convenience features include keyless operation, LED lighting, a 3.5-inch TFT display, and a USB-C socket.

This being BMW, naturally there are lots of accessories, and with the CE 02 it seems like many of them are cargo-oriented; there are Black, Urban, and Adventure collection 16-liter side cases and more. The optional Highline Package seen in most of these photos will run you an additional $875, and adds an anodized gold fork as well as the aforementioned Flash mode, a 1.5kWh quick charger, heated grips, a different seat, as well as the flashier colors and graphics. You’ll also get an integrated SP Connect smartphone holder.

BMW has said the CE 02 is a 2024 model, and will arrive in the US later this year with an MSRP of $7,599, though that’s just the preorder price; on the website we found a tag of $8,194 for the Cosmic Black base model.

More info is at bmwmotorcycles.com.