There are three reasons for manufacturer press events, where journalists are invited to ride a scooter or bike and have their picture taken, with lunch provided.
Either it’s a new model, or it’s been significantly updated…or the maker wants to remind us all that it exists. Such was the case with the CE 02, when BMW asked a few of us down to Bournemouth to ride its electric ‘e-parkour.’
Launched two years ago, the CE 02 isn’t exactly a common sight on UK roads, and BMW admits that it has only sold around 130 of them here. But it’s persevering, because the bike (is it really a scooter?) gives the company a presence in the moped and 125-class, which it wouldn’t otherwise have, plus the chance to attract a younger clientele as opposed to the typical middle-aged bloke (forgive the stereotype) on his massive GS adventure bike.
Slow Sales
It’s a welcome move in Britain’s so far slow-moving market for electric two-wheelers. While electric car sales surge ahead, the e-motorcycle market is still tiny – battery power made up just 3% of all bike and scooter sales in the first half of 2025. Of course, as urban transport, where range isn’t such an issue and commuters like their scoots clean, quiet and fuss-free, it makes more sense. More than one in four new mopeds were electric in the first six months of this year (actually down from 2024, when 54% were battery-powered), and in the 125-equivalent class, sales were up significantly, grabbing 8% of the sector. So sales are small, but generally on the rise, and on the way to a future when electric will be the mainstream urban transport, either by choice or legislation (that’s my prediction, for what it’s worth).
Seaside Hipster
Anyway, aside from all the context, does the CE 02 still make sense? Well, it certainly does cruising along Bournemouth’s seafront and clifftop. Once a byword for retired seaside gentility, these days the south coast resort is attempting to evoke a more hip and alternative vibe, like Brighton. So our venue for the day, Deus ex Machina, was a trendy bar just back from the seafront – BMW has even come up with a custom-painted CE 02 for Deus staff to zip around town on. If it were capable of carrying a surfboard, that would definitely be on the options list.
As you were
It won’t take me long to tell you what’s changed on BMW’s smallest bike…because nothing has. It’s still a compact, squat little thing, with a seat just 750mm off the ground and 14-inch disc alloy wheels which give it a chunky, indestructible look. There’s a choice of 4Kw (moped) or 11Kw versions, though virtually all UK bikes have been 11Kw so far. Energy is supplied by two small 1.96 kWh lithium-ion batteries, which can be removed for recharging if necessary. It’s easier to plug them in in situ, but having two smaller batteries rather than one big one makes it easier to take them indoors for recharging, if you don’t have an outdoor chargepoint. BMW claims a range of around 60 miles and 0-30mph in a brisk three seconds.
On the road
Hop onto the CE 02, and it really is one of those two-wheelers you can feel confident on straight away. Quite apart from the small size, power delivery is instant without being scarily sudden. There are two ride modes as standard – ‘Flow’ for cruising and ‘Surf’ giving a bit more acceleration – plus ‘Flash,’ which comes as part of the optional Highline package and gives the most dynamic performance. To be honest, the difference in acceleration between the three is quite subtle, because all three modes are pretty perky, and like any decent 125, the CE 02 has plenty of oomph to zip safely away from the lights while car drivers are fumbling for second gear. It’s also got traction control, which is nice to know when city streets get wet ‘n greasy, and you have useful acceleration on tap.
What the different modes do offer is a choice of regenerative braking, strongest on ‘Flash,’ which tempts you to try and ride through town using the friction brakes as little as possible. As it turns out, these are fine, plenty powerful enough for a 137kg machine, and with ABS on the front only. The Michelin rubber grips well (120/80 14 on the front, and a lower profile 150 70 14 on the back) with the quite wide and high bars, giving plenty of leverage for tight city streets.
Riding & range
Now then, if you’re a six-footer, you will find the little CE 02 a bit cramped – even my short and stubby legs felt folded – unless you use the forward-mounted second set of pegs. Do that, and the whole bike instantly feels bigger, more like a cruiser than a compact scooter. Having two sets of pegs also means the CE 02 can, in theory, take a passenger. You’d both have to be on the small side, but the seat is long enough and there are proper grab rails to be grabbed if need be.
Most of our morning ride was spent in 30 and 40 limits, but we did have a brief diversion onto more open roads, where the bike soon whipped up to an indicated 60mph and was happy to hold fifty-five on the flat. Of course, keep it at that speed and the range will dip to about 40-45 miles, worth bearing in mind if your commute involves main roads. After about 28 miles of more typical riding, the CE 02 had 50% battery left, so for urban use, that 60-mile claim isn’t far off the mark.
Equipment
We haven’t mentioned price yet, but you’ll probably know that the CE 02 isn’t cheap (see below). Fortunately, it’s quite well-equipped to compensate, with a small but very clear 3.5-inch TFT screen showing speed, battery level, and regen. Plus, you get heated grips (no longer the preserve of massive touring motorcycles, and quite right too), a reverse assistant (easier than paddling or pushing backwards up a kerbside camber), keyless ignition, and a USB socket. The optional Highline package adds that Flash riding mode, a faster (it’s all relative) 1.5kw charger, BMW Motorrad app (allowing your phone to display more info), phone holder and gold anodised forks.
Verdict
At £8450, the CE 02 looks like a very expensive 125-equivalent. It even costs more than the British-made Maeving RM1S (£7495), which has a higher top speed and more range, but bobber styling. Or there’s Kawasaki Z E-1, a more conventional-looking 125-equivalent roadster, at £7799. And a petrol 125cc scooter like the Honda PCX costs less than half as much.
Despite this, there’s still much to recommend BMW’s smallest two-wheeler. Electric will always be cleaner and less maintenance-intensive than petrol. It gives instant oomph and, on domestic recharge rates, is dirt cheap to run. I can’t imagine anyone buying one of these outright, but on a PCP deal, especially for more affluent households using one as a second or third family vehicle, it makes more sense. And of course, the CE 02 looks like nothing else.
Words: Peter Henshaw
Images: BMW
