BMW CE 02 road test, review

The CE 02 is the most affordable BMW EV and is also one of India’s most expensive e-two-wheelers.

Published on Feb 17, 2025 07:00:00 AM

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Love it or hate it, the CE 02’s design is undeniably catchy. Neither a bike nor a scooter, BMW dubs it an “e-parkourer” meant for fun, short-distance commuting. Practicality, however, takes a backseat with no storage or additional seating space, making its heavy charger or a pillion inconvenient to carry. Upon first glance, the rider footpegs seem like an afterthought and feel out of place in the otherwise cohesive design.

The rider footpegs look like a bit of an afterthought on the CE 02.

With minimal bodywork, a low stance and a futuristic aesthetic, the CE 02 captures attention from a diverse range of onlookers. During my time with it, teenagers, adults, and even senior citizens frequently enquired about it.

A stylish single-piece seat that looks and feels like an ironing board.

The bike’s low 745mm seat height and light 142kg weight make it approachable for beginners, but the bench-like seat limits comfort as it is best suited for solo riders. Additionally, the low-mounted tail-light is poorly positioned, making it less visible to tailgaters.

A rather cute face and an LED headlamp with good illumination.

On the features front, the CE 02 comes equipped with LED lighting, a 3.5-inch TFT display, keyless start, two riding modes, a reverse feature, adjustable levers, a Type-C charging socket and Bluetooth connectivity.

Extremely crisp micro TFT that is both easy to read and use.

Our test unit included the Highline package, an optional upgrade costing Rs 50,000. This adds features like a fast charger, additional switchgear, a smartphone holder, an extra riding mode called “Flash”, a tri-coloured seat, heated grips, a gold-finished fork and some graphics.

The charger cover is rather simple-looking and feels basic to use.

The Highline package is worth considering for a more enriched experience overall. Additionally, the accessory comfort seat, priced at Rs 12,000, is also recommended due to the limited cushioning of the standard seat. Besides this, if you buy the standard version and wish to add the fast charger, it will cost you Rs 70,000, which makes the Highline package a no-brainer.