BMW CE 04 Specs, Top Speed & Performance Review
TL;DR
- The BMW CE 04 is a premium electric scooter with 42 hp (31 kW), a top speed of 75 mph, and 0-30 mph in 2.6 seconds.
- Battery capacity is 8.9 kWh (60.6 Ah); BMW claims around 80 miles of range in the US, with real-world figures closer to 48-60 miles in mixed riding.
- Standard charging runs 0-100% in 4 hours 20 minutes; optional fast charging cuts that to 1 hour 40 minutes, or 65 minutes to 80%.
- The 2025 base model starts at $12,195 MSRP plus a $595 destination fee.
- It’s the right scooter for urban commuters who want genuine premium quality and live where they can charge overnight; it’s the wrong scooter for daily highway runs or riders without home charging.
BMW CE 04 Full Specs
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Motor type | Permanent-magnet liquid-cooled synchronous (EMP156) |
| Peak power | 42 hp (31 kW) @ 4,900 rpm |
| Continuous power | 20 hp (15 kW) |
| Peak torque | 46 lb-ft (62 Nm) @ 1,500 rpm |
| Battery capacity | 8.9 kWh gross / 8.5 kWh net (60.6 Ah) |
| Top speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) – electronically limited |
| 0-30 mph | 2.6 seconds (BMW claimed) |
| 0-62 mph | ~9.1 seconds (Move Electric, 2022) |
| Claimed range | ~80 miles (US; WMTC: ~81 miles / 130 km) |
| Transmission | Single-speed, toothed belt drive |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork, 3.9 in (99 mm) travel |
| Rear suspension | Suspension strut, 3.6 in (91 mm) travel |
| Front brake | 4-piston fixed caliper, dual 265 mm discs, ABS |
| Rear brake | 1-piston floating caliper, 265 mm disc |
| Front tire | 120/70R-15 |
| Rear tire | 160/60R-15 |
| Wheelbase | 66.0 in (1,680 mm) |
| Seat height | 30.7 in (780 mm) |
| Dry weight | 509 lb (231 kg) |
| Standard charge (0-100%) | ~4 hours 20 minutes |
| Standard charge (0-80%) | ~3 hours 30 minutes |
| Fast charge (0-100%) | ~1 hour 40 minutes |
| Fast charge (0-80%) | ~65 minutes |
| Display | 10.25-inch TFT color |
| US MSRP (base, 2025) | $12,195 + $595 destination |
BMW CE 04 Top Speed: What It Actually Does
The CE 04’s top speed is electronically limited to 75 mph (121 km/h). That figure comes from BMW Motorrad’s own press specifications and has been confirmed in independent testing.
Cycle News tested the CE 04 in 2023 and reported a real-world top of 79 mph indicated on the dash, with BMW’s 75 mph figure representing a conservative official cap rather than the hard ceiling the motor hits. (Cycle News, 2023). Move Electric’s test corroborated the 75 mph mark. At that speed, battery draw climbs steeply. Sustained freeway riding at 70+ mph is where the CE 04’s range shrinks fastest – this is a scooter built for city pacing, not slab cruising.
Acceleration: 0-30, 0-60, and Real Traffic Feel
BMW does not publish a 0-60 mph figure. Here’s what the data shows from other sources:
- 0-30 mph: 2.6 seconds (BMW Motorrad claimed, confirmed by Cycle News 2023 road test)
- 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h): approximately 9.1 seconds (Move Electric, 2022)
- 0-60 mph estimate: approximately 6 seconds (ProfessCars modeling, 2025)
That 0-30 number is the one that matters for city riding, and it’s fast. The CE 04’s torque delivery starts at 1,500 rpm and stays flat through the pull. From a stoplight, the scooter moves before anything gas-powered around it can build boost. Traction control (ASC – Automatic Stability Control) limits the earliest throttle spike to keep the front wheel planted and prevent passenger ejection from a hard launch.
Above 45 mph, the acceleration plateaus into something normal-feeling. It’s not slow by any measure, but the electric party trick is the low-speed punch, not the top-end rush. Dynamic mode delivers the sharpest throttle response and the most aggressive regenerative braking; Road mode softens both to a more manageable profile for daily use.
Battery, Range, and Charging: The Honest Numbers
The CE 04 carries an 8.9 kWh (gross) lithium-ion pack integrated flat into the frame underbody – a packaging choice that drops the center of gravity and improves handling, at the cost of a heavier overall curb weight of 509 lb (231 kg) dry.
BMW’s US claimed range is approximately 80 miles. The WMTC standard (World Motorcycle Test Cycle, used in Europe) puts it at around 130 km (81 miles). Both figures are best-case numbers.
Cycle News tested the CE 04 in Southern California in 2023. A 48-mile mixed route – stop-and-go city traffic combined with a freeway segment – consumed 76% of the battery. That implies a real-world ceiling of roughly 63 miles for that type of mixed riding, or significantly less if you’re doing sustained highway speeds. (Cycle News, 2023).
Carole Nash’s test found the displayed range would drop toward 50 miles quickly when ridden hard. (Carole Nash, 2025).
What charging actually looks like:
The standard 2.3 kW onboard charger (included) runs 4 hours 20 minutes for a full charge from a domestic socket. The optional fast charger capability – which draws up to 6.9 kW at 30A/230V – cuts that to about 65 minutes from 0-80%. That option matters. The stock charger is fine for overnight home charging; without the fast charge option you are dependent on time, not opportunity.
The CE 04 uses a J1772 port and is compatible with Level 2 public charging stations, but not DC fast chargers. That limits public charging flexibility compared to newer EV platforms. Plan routes around J1772 availability if you need a top-up away from home.
BMW offers a battery certificate covering the high-voltage pack for the first 24,855 miles or five years from initial registration, whichever comes first – including coverage for excessive capacity loss. (BMW Motorrad USA).
Riding Modes and Electronics
The CE 04 comes standard with three riding modes: Eco, Rain, and Road. Dynamic mode is an optional add-on (included in the Premium Package at $580 for the 2023/2024 model year; check current packaging for 2025).
- Eco: Reduced power output, maximum regeneration, longest range.
- Rain: Full power available but throttle response smoothed and regen tuned for slippery surfaces.
- Road: Full 42 hp, moderate regeneration. This is the everyday default for most riders.
- Dynamic: Full 42 hp with the sharpest throttle mapping and most aggressive regen. Below 30 mph, regen is strong enough that you barely need to touch the brake lever to stop.
ABS is standard. ABS Pro (banking-enabled, cornering ABS) and traction control (DTC – Dynamic Traction Control) are optional. Tire pressure monitoring comes with the Premium Package. The standard 10.25-inch TFT screen includes map navigation, BMW Motorrad Connected Services, and a USB-C port.
The 2025 model also introduced seat heating as a standalone option separate from the Premium Package.
What It’s Like to Ride
The CE 04 is a scooter in function and a motorcycle in presence. You sit differently than on a conventional maxi-scooter – the low, flat battery creates a longer, flatter platform and a 30.7-inch seat height that works for shorter riders but can cramp taller ones on rides beyond 30 minutes.
Handling is better than the weight suggests. That 509 lb curb weight sounds punishing, but with the battery mounted low in the frame, the center of gravity sits under your feet rather than up in a fuel tank. The CE 04 moves through urban traffic with genuine agility. It’s not flickable, but it’s accurate.
Wind protection is limited on the base and Avantgarde trims. The Exclusive variant adds a larger windscreen and hand guards, which matter on cold mornings or freeway stints. Regenerative braking in Dynamic mode is strong enough to make the front brake lever almost optional below 30 mph – once you’ve adapted to it, it becomes a feature rather than a surprise.
The 10.25-inch TFT display is excellent: clear in sunlight, intuitive to navigate, and shows the current ride mode, remaining range, battery percentage, and power output simultaneously. Connectivity to the BMW Motorrad Connected app is straightforward.
Honest Pros and Cons
What works:
- Stoplight acceleration that will embarrass most ICE commuter bikes
- Low center of gravity makes a 509 lb scooter handle better than its weight suggests
- Premium build quality throughout – switches, display, and finish feel like a BMW product
- 10.25-inch TFT with navigation is genuinely useful, not just spec-sheet filler
- First service interval is 24 months or 6,214 miles – low maintenance overhead
- Battery warranty covers capacity loss for 5 years / 24,855 miles
What doesn’t:
- Real-world range falls well short of the 80-mile claim under mixed or highway riding conditions
- No DC fast charging capability limits public charging options compared to newer EV platforms
- At 509 lb dry, pushing it manually or low-speed maneuvering in tight parking takes effort
- $12,195 base price plus $595 destination is a lot for a scooter – fast charger, ABS Pro, and Dynamic mode all cost extra on top
- Seat comfort degrades noticeably on rides over 30-45 minutes
Who Should Buy the BMW CE 04
The CE 04 is the right call if your daily commute is under 40 miles, you have a place to charge overnight, and you want a premium product that doesn’t look or feel like a compromise. It handles city traffic better than its weight implies, the stoplight acceleration is genuinely fun, and BMW’s build quality is consistent throughout.
It’s the wrong call if you depend on freeway riding, don’t have reliable home charging, or expect 80 miles out of every charge regardless of speed. The range anxiety is real at highway pace, and the absence of DC fast charging means public top-ups require planning around J1772 availability.
Urban commuters in cities with dense Level 2 charging infrastructure and overnight home charging are the natural fit. Riders who want a weekend machine or a touring alternative are not.
Frequently Asked Questions About the BMW CE 04
What is the top speed of the BMW CE 04?
The BMW CE 04 has an electronically limited top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h). Independent tests have recorded indicated speeds up to 79 mph, suggesting the electronic limit is slightly conservative. Sustained riding at 70+ mph draws battery charge down rapidly, so the CE 04’s practical freeway range is noticeably shorter than its city-riding range.
How fast does the BMW CE 04 accelerate from 0 to 60 mph?
BMW does not publish an official 0-60 mph figure. The company claims 0-30 mph in 2.6 seconds, which has been confirmed in road tests (Cycle News, 2023). Move Electric recorded a 0-62 mph time of approximately 9.1 seconds. ProfessCars’ modeling estimates 0-60 mph at around 6 seconds (ProfessCars, 2025). The hard-launch feel is strongest below 45 mph, where instant torque delivery from the electric motor makes the CE 04 quicker off the line than most combustion-engine scooters in its class.
What is the real-world range of the BMW CE 04?
BMW’s US claimed range is approximately 80 miles. Real-world testing tells a different story. Cycle News’ 2023 test of a mixed city and freeway route consumed 76% of the battery over 48 miles. Riding at sustained highway speeds reduces range further. A realistic daily range expectation for mixed riding is 50-65 miles; city-only riding at lower speeds can approach the claimed 80-mile figure. Range on the freeway at full speed can drop into the 40-50 mile zone.
How long does the BMW CE 04 take to charge?
Standard charging from a domestic socket (2.3 kW) runs approximately 4 hours 20 minutes for a full 0-100% charge, or 3 hours 30 minutes to 80%. With the optional fast charge capability (6.9 kW at 30A/230V), those times drop to 1 hour 40 minutes for a full charge and about 65 minutes to reach 80% (BMW Motorrad, 2025). The standard cable is included; the fast charge option costs extra.
What riding modes does the BMW CE 04 have?
Three riding modes come standard: Eco, Rain, and Road. Eco limits power output and maximizes regeneration for the longest possible range. Rain smooths throttle response for wet conditions. Road delivers full 42 hp with moderate regeneration and is the daily-use default. Dynamic mode adds sharper throttle mapping and more aggressive regen braking; it is an optional upgrade (included in the Premium Package on recent model years).
What does the BMW CE 04 cost in the US?
The 2025 BMW CE 04 starts at $12,195 MSRP for the base model, plus a $595 destination and handling fee. The optional Premium Package (adaptive headlight, Ride Modes Pro, ABS Pro, tire pressure monitor) adds to the cost. The optional fast charger capability is an additional expense on top. Final as-shown pricing varies depending on which packages are selected.
Key Takeaways
- Top speed is 75 mph electronically limited; 0-30 mph takes 2.6 seconds; 0-62 mph is approximately 9.1 seconds.
- The 8.9 kWh battery delivers around 50-65 miles of real-world mixed range; city-only riding can approach the 80-mile claim.
- Standard overnight charging takes 4 hours 20 minutes; the optional fast charger cuts that to 65 minutes to 80%.
- At $12,195 base plus extras, it targets riders who want genuine premium quality and are committed to urban electric riding.
- The CE 04 works best as a daily urban commuter with home charging; it’s the wrong tool for freeway touring or low-charging-access environments.
