Rumormill: BMW working on electric scooter?
According to Solo Scooter in Spain, unnamed sources inside BMW are reporting that the Bavarian brand is working up a new electric scooter that could be debuted at an upcoming motorcycle show sometime in late 2010 and put in production in 2011. If these rumors are to be believed, the upcoming machine would use a lithium ion battery pack with enough juice to allow a range of about 155 miles or three hours of continuous use and a top speed of 75 miles per hour. There's no indication at this time whether the supposed electric scooter from BMW would ape the design from the commercially-unsuccessful C1, which featured an innovative, partially enclosed design.
The image above was rendered by the well-known Oberdan Bezzi and – while certainly a nice and thoroughly BMW-looking design – isn't necessarily representative of what an electric BMW scooter may look like.
[Source: Solo Scooter via Two Wheels Blog | Image: Oberdan Bezzi Design]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Monroe 5:44PM (7/15/2009)
I have to get it. The specs blow all other electric bikes out of the water, and it's by a trusted high-quality brand name and probably comes with a good warranty. I hope they can sell it at a reasonable price.
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jpm 6:34PM (7/15/2009)
Don't hold your breath.
And even if it down come to fruition, don't be surprised if their padded specs are much less in the real world.
Critter 5:54PM (7/15/2009)
An electric C1 would be great. With the popularity of motorcycles and scooters on the rise over the last few years it might even have a chance.
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CaramelZappa 12:07AM (7/16/2009)
155 miles is a very good range for such a small vehicle. I've seen a lot of home-made electric scooters and motorcycles and most of them get around a 50 mile range because the space for batteries is extremely limited. If bmw does pull it off it would be pretty impressive.
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Chris M 12:34AM (7/16/2009)
The rendering bears a striking resemblance to a Vectrix.
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oobflyer 1:13AM (7/16/2009)
Couldn't they have at least erased the exhaust pipe with photo-shop? :-)
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wisi 1:58PM (7/16/2009)
well, if they make up a rumor it should at least be technically credible...
155 miles is not inly technically bullshit, but also totally unnecessary. Most Gas-Scooters don't even have that range.
And I wouldn't want to sit on a scooter for 155 miles ;-) 90 miles or so would be already perfect and maybe achievable without costing as much as a 1 series car...
why not the LS2LS7? 1:47AM (7/16/2009)
I don't believe it, the specs are too good.
However, if true, I'm interested. How much would it cost?
I might even be interested in it with a C1 configuration.
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MikeInNC 8:17AM (7/16/2009)
If this happens it will change a lot of minds about electric scoots. BMW has a killer reputation in the motorcycle world, where they really made their name way back when. I'll be in line to buy one if this happens.
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RobWatt 5:08AM (7/23/2009)
I rode a C1 for about 4 years and despite the strange looks it was great. The ability to get to and from work during the pouring rain really made up for the odd strange look. The increased safety of the bike meant that my wife didn't worry about me riding a bike and the BMW storage unit for the back alowed me to carry loads of stuff if I had to. If they bring out an electric version i'll be one of the first in the queue to buy.
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