Last year, BMW revealed its CE 02 electric scooter, which has since gone on sale in markets like the UK and USA. We later broke the news that the CE 02 platform has been developed and built right here in India, by BMW’s local partner, TVS. Now, we have learned that the CE 02 will be launched in India this year.
However, don’t expect it to be an affordable city runabout from the Bavarian brand. In the USA, the base CE 02 retails for USD 7,599 (roughly Rs 6.2 lakh), while the Highline trim will set you back by USD 8,474 (roughly Rs 7 lakh). Even though it is built here in India, it will still likely be a rather expensive proposition, being positioned well above the Rs 2.49 lakh TVS X. It could even become the most expensive electric two-wheeler on sale in India, but that remains to be seen.
This wouldn’t be the first time that BMW has sold an expensive scooter in India. Its superbly impressive C 400 GT maxi-scooter went on sale in our market a couple of years ago, and is currently priced at Rs 11.25 lakh, making it the most expensive scooter sold in the country. The CE-02 won’t cost anywhere close to that much, though.
The CE 02 classifies as something between an electric bike and an electric scooter, with no floorboard section, and motorcycle-like footpegs. It derives its energy from two split lithium-ion battery packs that together measure 2kWh, and has a claimed range of 90km. In its most powerful guise, it produces 15hp, which is good enough for a claimed top speed of 95kph for the 132kg machine.