BMW Motorrad USA has just released the new CE 04 electric scooter to its 2022 lineup, after first revealing the scooter in 2017. The scooter has a maximum output of 42 HP and a maximum speed of 75 MPH, as well as a battery cell capacity of 8.9 kWh, providing an estimated range of 80 miles.
The company says engineers paid attention to the quality and durability of the batteries to ensure the rider is able to make full use of the range even after many years of service life; one of the main technological challenges here was to achieve optimum cooling of the high-voltage battery. The BMW CE 04’s air-cooling system allows heat to be dissipated from the high-voltage battery via a cooling plate with longitudinally arranged cooling fins on the underside of the vehicle.
Drive power in the new BMW CE 04 is provided by a permanent magnet EMP 156 electric motor mounted in the frame between the battery and the rear wheel. The electric motor is liquid-cooled, and the radiator is installed at the front of the vehicle.
The BMW CE 04 comes equipped with a standard 10.25-in. TFT color display screen with integrated map navigation and smartphone connectivity. The company says the display makes it possible to show a navigation map in the instrument cluster.
Automatic recuperation during coasting
The BMW CE 04 is ridden in exactly the same way as a scooter with an internal combustion engine, the company says. The vehicle recuperates energy automatically whenever possible. As such, the energy recovery system extends the range and increases efficiency.
For example, recuperation starts when the throttle is closed, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and – as in a combustion engine – the generator function of the electric motor creates a drag torque which depends on the degree of recuperation. The drag torque generated by the electric motor is like the familiar “engine braking” that takes effect when rolling off of the throttle in a vehicle powered by a combustion engine.
Automotive-based charging technology
The 147.6V lithium-ion battery is charged via the integrated charging device, either via a Level 1 household socket, a Level 2 Wallbox or a Level 2 public charging station. The charging socket is based on automobile standards and is located underneath a cover in the front right-hand leg area. A storage compartment on the right-hand side of the vehicle houses the standard Level 1 charging cable. If the BMW CE 04 is equipped with the optional Level 2 quick charging cable, charging times are significantly reduced, the company says. A DC-DC converter converts high voltage to low voltage so as to feed the 12V vehicle power system, the 12V battery (12 V/5 Ah) and the control units.
Charging times for 0 to 100% battery capacity, take 4 hours and 20 minutes with the supplied Level 1 (2.3 kW) charging cable. With the optional Level 2 charging cable (6.9 kW) charging time is reduced to 1 hour and 40 minutes. From 20 to 80%, the charging time is just 45 minutes with the Level 2 charging cable.
