Day by day more and more electric vehicles that we can see running. In fact, this year alone saw various new introductions of electric vehicles for the local market. This year is a little different than usual because in early January 2023, BMW Motorrad Malaysia has announced the offering of their electric scooter, the BMW CE 04.
This is not the first time they have released an electric scooter, as the previous model, the BMW C Evolution, was introduced around 2013.
I decided to buy this electric scooter because BMW Motorrad really has a variety of powerful motorcycles, and what is most obvious about the BMW CE 04 is the design and performance, and also since it is an electric scooter, it is something that I can learn to explore. the world of electric vehicles.
Futuristic Design Like a "Jetski" on Land
Undoubtedly, the design of this BMW CE 04 electric scooter is very different from others. If we look at other electric scooters or motorcycles that use electric power, the design language of other motorcycles still maintains the elements of a normal motorcycle. If we look at the Blueshark design that comes with a classic design, Harley Davidson that has the classification and style of 'naked bike', or the Yamaha EL1 that is clearly almost like the X-Max model, the BMW CE 04 can be said to be very different even with its scooter siblings such as C400 GT and C400X.
BMW came up with the CE 04 concept design around 2017 and after a few years, it was announced that it would be produced with a similar design. The same thing also happened this year when they announced another electric motor, the CE-02, with a design towards a 'moped'. Maybe it's BMW Motorrad's habit to follow the concept design they produce even if it's not 100%.
What can be said to be very different from the design of most motorcycles can be started with the storage location located under the rider's seat. One of the advantages of the scooter is the large storage space under the seat that can be lifted, but since this BMW CE 04 comes with a flat seat like an ironing board the seat cannot be removed, so the bottom storage design has to be accessed from the side.
And what can be said to be a land "jetski" is a footrest that is seen to be very long, extending all the way to the front. If a jetski meanders through the waves at sea, carrying this scooter on land I can meander between vehicles. For users with long legs, this footrest can make you feel very comfortable.
Even with this kind of design language, it also makes this electric scooter longer than the size of a normal motor. Maybe the same length as the 'Cruiser / Easy Rider' class, like a Harley Davidson or Chopper and take up a bigger parking space. In some of the pictures below, it's clear that there will be parts sticking out of the parking box. This can increase the risk of competing with other motorcycles especially in a narrow parking space.
Next, by placing the battery at the bottom of the scooter, the center of gravity of the scooter is low and feels easy to control even though it weighs around 231 kg. I tried a Yamaha X-Max 250 and for me the motor was heavy, but this scooter is much heavier, approaching the weight of a high-powered motorcycle.
Since I'm not very tall (162cm tall) I sometimes have trouble getting between cars, or moving this motor (for parking). Fortunately, the reverse function is provided to facilitate movement out of the parking box.
But one thing that I don't like is the layout of the rear lights along with the rear registration number which feels a bit low and vulnerable to any damage due to carelessness. Compared to most normal motorcycles, traffic lights may be placed using a design that is embedded with the motorcycle body, or placed at the level of the user's waist, can reduce the risk of collision.
At the current position, it is seen that anyone who is careless can hit the tail light and cause damage to the traffic light. I've bumped the lamp myself with my calf, and luckily it didn't break. Just since putting the extra box on, can make me no longer have the potential to run into the rear traffic lights.
Interface and Functions
One of the things that interest me with the BMW brand is the functions that are featured on motorcycles that are almost there with the technology that they bring to cars. To me it is clearly displayed on the 10-inch LCD interface display when it is turned on and the motto 'Make Life A Ride' is displayed. It feels like driving a motorcycle from the future from the anime AKIRA.
This is done by selecting a setting via the scroll control on the left handle, and rotating or pushing left and right to view all available displays. There is also a button for me to set a favorite display, where the display will be divided into two, namely the active display and a second display that can display things such as driving information, navigation maps, or headphone controls.
The BMW CE 04 is also connected to the BMW Motorrad Connected application which can record your journey, display the status and information of the scooter and choose to display the navigation application.
Among the many modern things I love about this scooter, the thing that makes me cringe is their mapping system that hasn't been updated. I tried to find some locations but they are not listed such as Parcel F Putrajaya and Serdang Motorcycle location which location is not accurate.
This point I can probably close one eye if this scooter supports Apple Carplay / Android Auto. Because the CE 04 is an electric scooter every distance is very valuable therefore with every misstep that occurs it reduces the effective travel distance of the vehicle. As a result, it adds to the dilemma of travel anxiety (range anxiety) experienced by every EV owner.
Among the things that can be commended are the presence of premium functions, such as left and right turn signals that will be deactivated after you turn or change lanes, and also the Headlight Adaptive Pro function that provides illumination according to the direction of the motor tilt. For example, if I am turning or leaning to the left at night, there will be additional lights that tune to the left, according to the tilt angle of this scooter.
Dynamic Mode Ride Performance Leaves Smokeless Noise Far Behind
Another thing that makes me interested in this scooter is the performance it offers. As an electric vehicle, this scooter can accelerate to 50 km/h in 2 seconds, and I can reach 100 km/h in 4-5 seconds when I use Dynamic driving mode.
This electric engine offers a maximum power of 32kW, equivalent to 42hp anyway before I talk about the driving mode, you should know that the electric engine offers something different from the others: i.e. recharging when braking. (regenerative braking).
Recharging when braking is basically used in vehicles with hybrid engines, where when the car does not accelerate, and starts to slow down, the reduced speed will be changed to recharge the battery, until the vehicle stops. In fact, this recharging when braking also has a setting, in terms of sensitivity that affects the strength and stopping distance of the vehicle when braking using the engine. This is not available on regular petrol engines, and the driver still has to brake himself.
In the video above, it is a display while driving and the bright color indicates that the engine power is either releasing power to accelerate (POWER), or being recharged while slowing down the scooter (CHARGE). The further the marker is filled in a direction, the further it uses something, like I twist the throttle full, so the display of the part marker (POWER) is filled, and if I release the throttle, to slow down the scooter, the part marker (CHARGE) will be filled.
During the more than a month that I have been using this electric scooter, it can be said that I have only braked with the intention of stopping completely, when cutting between traffic, or if I was going too fast. Most of the time, I just need to let off the electric throttle, and the engine will start braking according to the driving mode I've selected.
There are three driving modes offered on this scooter and for the Malaysian market, BMW Motorrad has included an additional Mode which is Dynamic Mode which is usually present as an additional option for other countries' markets. This Dynamic mode provides the fastest acceleration of the others, and is perfect for those who really want the power of electric acceleration.
It can also learn about my riding patterns, and know if I want to coast or slow down, while recharging the battery. For Dynamic mode, the engine's priority is in providing power, and even though the CHARGE compartment is fully available.
And specially comes with Dynamic Mode, is the ABS Pro and Dynamic Traction Control functions that provide more control, and ensure the scooter is always stable and in control in any situation. Interestingly, in the trip log app, it also marks where the ABS is working, and also where you take a sharp turn, along with your angle of 'handling corners'. If this scooter didn't come with Dynamic Mode, I don't think this function would be recorded in the trip log.
Eco mode is a driving mode that saves energy, and you can feel the acceleration is low and not as fast as Dynamic. I only use this mode when I need more energy savings, and when this mode is selected, I can usually see an increase in driving distance because the energy that will be released through Eco Mode is not as strong as the other driving modes.
This can be felt through the throttle sensitivity where when you go full throttle, it takes longer to accelerate. I will also activate this mode when there are friends who want to try riding. Because of the low sensitivity of the throttle can reduce them experiencing the shock of the acceleration force of the electric motor.
Rain mode is specifically for rainy conditions, but I have never used it not because I have never carried it in the rain, but I feel it is less necessary. Road mode is a travel mode, with charging power but not strong for recharging power when braking, and I used this mode for a week after taking this bike to get used to the electric engine.
And what made me fall in love with the first ride was speeding too fast when the red light turned green. Most of the time, I left the others and was able to reach 100km/h in no time. But I also realized, when driving at a speed above 100km/h continuously, the battery power is decreasing.
Right after I let off the throttle, a more powerful gasoline-powered motor could have overtaken me. And if following a convoy of petrol bikes, I have fast initial acceleration, but may lag later when battery charging issues hold me back.
Charging Duration And Riding Range – Key Issues For Every Electric Vehicle Owner
For my usage pattern – which so far has only been traveling around the Klang Valley for office business and also media events and also meetings – I feel this riding distance of around 120km is quite realistic, provided I have to keep the battery fully charged every morning. The distance from my home to my office is around 22km one way and if I don't charge every day, I have to charge at the end of the second day which is after 88km.
But if suddenly there is a meeting, I try to arrange the meeting near a place where I can charge the motorbike, or choose to drive the car to the meeting.
As for the charging period, I can conclude that I need around 1 hour for every 25% battery level and this almost coincides with the period announced by BMW, that is 0-80% takes 3 hours and a half or 4 hours 20 minutes for 0-100%. The display while charging is divided into 4 boxes, the same as the boxes displayed while riding. BMW Motorrad Malaysia does not offer an option for fast charging, and the type of charging installed on this model is Type 2 – Single Phase and can only receive 2.3kW.
I can say it is a disappointing thing for BMW not to offer a fast charging option even though it will increase the price of this scooter because with fast charging, users can take advantage of faster Three Phase charging, as high as 6.9kW with a 0-80% charging period as fast an hour. Until now, if I charged at a location other than home, I would spend around 1-2 hours and sometimes I was attending an event, and sometimes I was doing work at a nearby cafe.
In fact, many fans of this scooter do not order because there is no fast charging option. Although the information about the price was not disclosed, but I am sure that if there is such an option, those who are considering this factor, will certainly be able to make a decision.
To date, the longest distance I have ever traveled is from KL Sentral to Parcel F, Putrajaya around 31km and the power used is 25%. I was also lucky that in the motor park of this building, there was a power plug, and I could fully charge this scooter while attending the 10th JomLaunch event.
One more thing about charging, I subscribed to ChargEV charging costing RM 240 per year because at 2.3kW speed, I can use all the ChargEV range without extra charge. For the month of September 2023, I have used 29.377 kWh for 8 charging times which took around 12 hours 18 minutes. I didn't subscribe to the other package because it was more expensive, and the price didn't match the maximum charging rate this scooter can accept.
Electric Scooter Maintenance – Without a Petrol Engine, What is Periodic Inspection?
On the 21st day of owning this scooter, I have sent the scooter for its periodic inspection as it has reached 1000km. There was a notification that gave a reminder for the first inspection, and I thought, what will BMW maintain? In general, among the equipment that must be changed including brakes, tires, and any additional fluids such as brake oil, attention should be paid and all of these will decrease over time.
Apparently, this first 1000km inspection also covers changing the oil used in this electric motor engine as much as 0.18 liters, and also the 'gasket ring'. I also understand that for the next maintenance, which is when I reach 10,000km, I need to change the rear tire belt, and with the frequency of my riding, I will probably reach 10,000km in less than 10 months.
Conclusion
I can say in advance that if you want to own a motorcycle with the intention of going to eat lemang To'Ki, take leisurely walks up to Kota Bharu, this electric scooter is not the right vehicle for you. I will talk more about this in a separate article because there are many other factors to think about, in terms of charging location, the separation of motor and car parking which usually does not allow these scooters to be charged in car charging parks, and issues of availability and if this available charger is 'reliable'.
At a price of RM 59,500 - this is the price before being on the road, the price before insurance and road tax - it can be said to be very high and very unaffordable for many. It is even more expensive than other C-class siblings, and since the charging cable is sold separately, and there is no fast charging option, I can say that this price is very expensive with limited range and long charging time.
But if you are not going to a distant location, you may take this scooter within less than 100km round trip, not go to various destinations or maybe just go to mosques and mosques, or have a house that is based on the real earth, not a flat or condominiums, as well as rich, can afford the charging costs, you may be eligible to use a scooter from this future.
One thing that is rarely mentioned is that, although the BMW CE 04 for the Malaysian market is sold at a price of RM 59,500, it is much cheaper when compared to other neighboring countries such as Thailand (~RM 100,000), Indonesia (RM 120,000) and Singapore (~ RM 180,000). For the Malaysian market, the government provides import tax exemptions for electric vehicles, and there are also tax exemptions for electric vehicle owners for subscription, installation, and anything related to vehicle charging.
If you are interested in this BMW CE-04 electric scooter, you can come to a BMW Motorrad location near you, and make an appointment for a test ride session to experience for yourself the ride into the future, which is full of challenges.
Advantage
Electric acceleration far leaves many
Models sold in the local market include Dynamic driving mode, ABS Pro, Dynamic Traction Control and also Headlight Pro lights
Responsive riding mode
A design that is guaranteed to make others scold you
Deficiencies
Map information not updated
Fast charging option is not offered for local market
No charging cable is included
Expensive