While most major bike manufacturers are still tentatively experimenting with electric prototypes , BMW has been in the business of selling viable battery- powered machines for the best part of a decade . This year will see it start to bring its second-generation models to the market . The C-Evolution scooter might never have been a big seller for BMW , but it proved an invaluable learning tool as the company gets to grips with electric power . Allied to a growing range of electric cars , it helped put the Bavarian firm in the front line when it comes to getting battery bikes into the mainstream . It was first shown in 2011 , with prototypes pressed into action during the 2012 Olympics in London before the final production model went on sale in early 2014 . For 2021 , the C-Evolution is gone from BMW ' s range though , but the void it leaves will soon be filled by the model seen in these design illustrations , the CE 04 . If it ' s familiar , that ' s because BMW has twice teased us with concepts leading up to this production bike . First there was the Concept Link , shown in 2017 , which previewed the unconventional styling , along with the solid disc wheels and the flat , detached screen ahead of the smartphone-style instrument pack . Then , in 2020 , BMW showed the ' Definition CE 04 ' concept , a nearproduction |
evolution of the Concept Link that toned down elements of the styling , but not by much . These new images , from BMW ' s own design patent , show that the production CE 04 will be almost indistinguishable from the Definition CE 04 concept . Changes are few but include mirrors , a longer rear mudguard that now incorporates a licence plate bracket , and rear indicator lights and front indictors and other detail changes . What hasn ' t changed is the bike ' s construction . A large battery unit in an aluminium case makes up the central chassis section with the motor bolted on behind - driving the rear wheel via a reduction gearbox and a belt final drive . Up front , there ' s a tubular steel steering head frame that bolts to the battery box and carries normal telescopic forks - under covers that also hide much of the front brakes . There is a solid disc rear wheel ; the front is a spoke wheel that has been designed to give the impression of a matching solid . In terms of performance and range , the CE 04 is likely to represent a step up from the C-Evolution , which was capable of 47 hp ( 35 kW ) for short spells or 26 hp ( 19 kW ) continuously and good for around 100 miles per charge in ' Long Range ' form . Like the C Evolution , a detuned 15 hp ( 11 kW ) version is also sure to be offered to cater to learner riders . Interesting features from the Definition CE 04 |
concept that carry over to production include under-seat storage that ' s accessible via hatches in the sides instead of lifting the seat . The CE 04 is just the start for BMW ' s second-gen electric bike plans . The firm has also trademarked the name ' CE 02 ' - indicating that a smaller , cheaper model will follow . It ' s also working on making a production spin-off from the wild looking Vision DC Roadster electric motorcycle concept , shown in 2019 . BMW has trademarked a range of names from ' DC 01 ' to ' DC 09 ', indicating that a number of different electric motorcycle models will be offered across a variety of performance and price points . Since the Vision DC Roadster appeared two years after the original Concept Link , it ' s likely that the first production ' DC ' motorcycle will appear in around 2023 . Further away is BMW ' s next big step in electrification - the adoption of ' solid-state ' batteries . The firm has joined forces with Ford and Volta |
Energy Technologies to add $ 130m of funding to Colorado- based technology company Solid Power , which is developing automotive-scale solid-state lithium batteries . In a normal lithium-ion battery , there ' s a liquid electrolyte that allows the transfer of ions between the anode and cathode via a porous separator . In solid-state batteries , the electrolyte is replaced with a solid , and Solid Power ' s design uses a metallic lithium anode instead of the graphite used in most lithium-ion batteries . It ' s a technology that significantly reduces the size of the cells , allowing greater power density - the Holy Grail for the EV battery industry . Solid-state cells are also more rugged than those with liquid electrolytes , reducing the chance of battery fires , and can theoretically be charged more quickly . There ' s still a lot of development to do , but BMW intends to make a demonstration vehicle using the cells by 2025 , with mass production of the batteries to start before the end of the decade . |