From this month, Europe will start to see more and more electric maxi scooters, as BMW debuted production for its first-ever such vehicle, the C evolution. Below you can watch the C evolution rolling on the streets of its “native” Berlin and some footage from the assembly line in the Spandau plant.
The BMW C evolution shares battery technology with the i3 car and uses the same cells, with an integrated charging device which can be used either with a household socket or a charging station. An 80% charging level is attained in only 2:15 hours, with a full recharge taking around 3 hours. The battery pack holds 8kWh and has a nominal 133 V voltage.
The energy flows to a 15 hp motor (48 hp peak) which can deliver 72 Nm (53 lb-ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm, providing 0 to 31 mph (50 km/h) in 2.7 seconds, accounting for quite a fun ride. The average range is around 100 km (62 miles) on a single charge, which gives riders plenty of freedom for city errands and commuting. Regenerative brakes can also add 10-20% to this figure.
The C evolution rolls with a hybrid chassis, with die-cast aluminium load-bearing battery casing and a bolt-on tubular-steel steering head and rear frame, providing the right balance between lightness and strength. The total weight of the C evolution reaches a decent 265 kg (585 lbs), but the stopping power BMW uses can effortlessly keep things under control: a triple-disc array of 270mm rotors, with ABS as standard.
After the official launch in Barcelona, the BMW C evolution is expected soon in dealerships across Europe.
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