BMW Cs the future in e-scooter
2012-07-31 10:27
FOR CITY LIVING: BMW's C evolution is designed as an electric scooter for urban commuters, but its 100km range should also address "range anxiety".
BMW’s Motorrad division presents its vision of “individual mobility” with details of its pre-production electric scooter called the C evolution.
Following on from the presentation of the concept E-scooter at the BMW Motorrad Innovation Day in 2011 and the premiere soon after of the Concept e at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show, the automaker has now revealed its next step in its e-scooter programme.
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The C evolution is seen as a clever way to tackle growing traffic volumes, rising energy costs and increasingly tighter CO2 emissions standards while still offering the kind of performance riders of maxi scooters have come to expect.
'REAL CONDITIONS' FOR PILOT
In its pilot phase, the e-scooters are being operated, BMW Motorrad said, in “real conditions … and within areas which reflect their intended environment.” The company will also use the opportunity to explore electric vehicle infrastructure.
The C evolution ‘s punchy motor puts out 11kW of continuous output and has a peak output of 35kW. BMW says its acceleration from 0 – 60km/h is comparable to that of maxi scooters with capacities of 600cc or more while, on the other side of the spectrum, the top speed is electronically limited to 120km/h.
These figures practically guarantee a high level of riding fun, and comfortable freeway riding and overtaking, while the scooter’s low centre of gravity aids agility. Anti-lock brakes are also an integral safety feature.
Thanks to the large battery capacity (8kWh), BMW claims a range of 100km, boosted by energy recuperation when braking or in coasting mode. BMW’s looked to its i range of electric cars for inspiration, too, using the same lithium-ion storage models as the i3.
Furthermore, the C evolution has the added bonus of short charging times – under three hours for a completely flat battery.
