2018 BMW C Evolution Scooter
The "new" news continues to flow from AIMExpo 2017
BMW has brought its C Evolution electric mid-sized scooter to AIMExpo, and although we had information from BMW about the U.S. specifications of the C Evolution at the end of July, BMW tells us the electric scooter is now available for sale at select California dealers as a 2018 model with an MSRP of $13,750. We should see availability around the country in the months to follow.
Visually, not much has changed from the scooter’s original debut in 2012. However, we have seen a boost in battery power with three 115-150V, 94-Ah lithium-ion battery modules from the BMW i3 containing 12 battery cells per module. This gives a claimed range of 99 miles. BMW says this is the world’s first “Medium Range Electric Maxi Scooter.” At AIMExpo, we were told charge times would be 9 hours with a 110V A/C outlet and a quick 3.5 hrs with a 220V A/C plug. A famous lyricist once said, put 220V on the money honey!
BMW has listed peak output from the electric powerplant as 48 hp and 53 lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft. We know how fun instantaneous torque can be on electric motorcycles, so we will be looking forward to testing the claimed 2.8-second sprint from 0-30 mph. One bit of information that took the wind out of our sails was the electronically limited 80 mph “to ensure optimized power consumption and range.” Sure 80 mph is plenty fast enough for most situations, but here at MO, “fast enough” is rarely fast enough.
If you need additional storage to the spacious under-seat trunk, BMW offers a luggage rack and top case. No need to stop there, though (at least for 99 miles), as BMW also offers a touring windscreen and comfort rider’s seat for those long sub-100-mile days in the saddle.
Even if scooters don’t float your boat, we are definitely excited to get our hands on one of BMW’s C Evolution scooters to put some real-world hurt, ahem, testing on the mid-size Bavarian two-wheeler. Electro-enthusiasts should also note that BMW has said in the past that the C Evolution is the company’s “first step toward alternative drivetrains,” leading us to believe that it may not be long before we see additional electric scooters and, fingers crossed, motorcycles from the German marque.
2018 BMW C Evolution Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | Liquid-cooled electric-drive motor |
| Max. output | 48 hp (35 kW) at 4,650 rpm (claimed) |
| Max. torque | 53 lb-ft (72 Nm) from 0 to 4,650 rpm (claimed) |
| Maximum speed | 80 mph (electronically limited) |
| Acceleration 0-30mph | approx. 2.8 s (claimed) |
| Range | 99 miles (claimed) |
| Recuperation | Automatic recuperation when coasting and braking |
| Battery | Air-cooled lithium-ion high-voltage battery with auxiliary cooling fan |
| Battery Voltage | 133 V (nominal) |
| Charging Rate | 3 kW, integrated charging unit |
| Charging | On-board charging socket type 1; charging cable with country-specific plug |
| Charging time at 110 V / 12 A | approx.. 9:20 h for 100%; 80% in approx.. 7:50 h (claimed) |
| Charging time at 220 V / 12 A | approx.. 4:30 h for 100%; 80% in approx.. 3:50 h (claimed) |
| Secondary battery | 12 V / 8 Ah, maintenance-free |
| Drive | Belt drive |
| Frame | Tubular steel with die-cast aluminum sections |
| Front suspension | Upside-down fork Ø 40 mm, 4.7” of travel |
| Rear suspension | Single-sided swing arm with direct-link spring strut and spring pre-load with 7 manually adjustable settings, 4.5” of travel |
| Wheelbase | 63.4” (1,610 mm) |
| Castor | 3.7” (95 mm) |
| Steering head angle | 65.9° |
| Wheels | Cast aluminum wheels |
| Rim, front | 3.50 x 15″ |
| Rim, rear | 4.50 x 15″ |
| Tires, front | 120/70 R 15 |
| Tires, rear | 160/60 R 15 |
| Brake, front | Dual floating disc brakes, dual-piston floating calipers, diameter 270 mm |
| Brake, rear | Single disc brake, diameter 270 mm, dual-piston floating caliper |
| ABS | BMW Motorrad ABS |
| Length | 86.2” (2,190 mm) |
| Width (incl. mirrors) | 37.3” (947 mm) |
| Height (excl. mirrors) | 49.4” (1,255 mm) |
| Seat height, unladen weight | 30.1” (765 mm) Standard; ) comfort seat: 30.9” (785 mm |
| Inner leg curve, unladen weight | 68.7” (1,745 mm) Standard; / comfort seat: 69.7” (1,770 mm) |
| Unladen weight, road ready, fully fueled) | 606 lbs. (275 kg) |
| Permitted total weight | 981 lbs. (445 kg) |
| Payload (with standard equipment) | 375 lbs. (170 kg) |
Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.
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This bike has been out for almost 3 years. Was wondering if the range stayed the same or did it go up. I wouldn't want to buy a 3 year old bike.
600 lbs for a short range scooter doesn't make sense to me. But then I don't really get maxi-scooters to begin with. A Vespa 300 is as big as I would go, and that's still well under 400 lbs. I guess for folks who shy away from a Zero because they don't live near a service center, or because they don't like motorcycles, this might look attractive until the market gives more options.