Electric scooter... It would seem that what could be more banal? The Chinese have long undermined interest in this technology by launching an army of gray clones – small and unreliable battery-powered scooters – into the markets of Europe and Asia. And only BMW Motorrad, the only respected motorcycle manufacturer, picked up this topic. But the Bavarians initially distanced themselves from the “lower classes”, betting on “maxis”, that is, on large, comfortable electric scooters.
Bavarian designers worked for the future; they were in no hurry to produce production models - only fragmentary information about progress in this direction leaked onto the network. A year ago, BMW presented the official release of a concept called the E-Scooter. The elaboration of details and attention to detail indicated that the Germans were close to the winning line.
It was expected that the new model would be shown at European motorcycle shows, but the Bavarians could not resist and rolled out the new product (pre-production concept) on the second day after the opening of the Olympic Games in Great Britain. Five scooters cruised the streets of London with the sole purpose of showing off. Well, the journalists were given a specific test drive. Why specific? Yes, because in half an hour in the saddle you can only form general impressions about the car, which will still be greatly improved in order to be put into production this year...
In order for you to understand the concept of the C evolution scooter, you must first tell us about its structure. Despite the external similarity with petrol maxi-scooters, they have little in common in terms of hardware. The “Electronics” skeleton is an aluminum die-cast block of a very complex shape with batteries. It is the load-bearing part of the scooter; a telescopic fork is attached to it in front through a steel grille, and a steel tail subframe truss is attached to the rear.
A DC electric motor with a peak output of 35 kV (47 hp) is suspended from below and rigidly fixed by another subframe, but made of aluminum alloy. The battery itself, with a capacity of 8 kWh, is made of lithium-ion modules, like in the BMW i3. During operation, they get seriously hot, so the designers also had to develop an air cooling system for them. And all the control electronics are located at the rear of the scooter.
A transmission unit with a cantilever wheel mount and an adjustable monoshock absorber (suspension travel 115 mm) transmits torque to the rear wheel via a toothed belt, but without any gears, directly. How the designers managed to place a liquid cooling system for the electric motor in this very compact block remains a mystery to me.
FINISH
Superbly done.
Surely the production model will be exactly like this . The fact that this electric scooter is from the BMW family is immediately clear. Styling largely copies the recently introduced 650 cc petrol maxi C 600 Sport and C 650 GT. The same shape of the stern, the same design of the side “burdocks” covering the light optics, and the ergonomics a la burger behind the wheel are almost identical. The unusual internal content is hinted at only by the stylish green core with intricately shaped and illuminated E hieroglyphs on the sides. And, of course, the absence of an exhaust system and the sound of a running engine.
While driving, you feel shocked for a second: everything seems to be like a motorcycle, even the buttons on the steering wheel are familiar, but you turn the key, press the starter button, but it doesn’t seem to start! Only the colorful TFT display comes to life. But you turn the gas handle, and the scooter confidently, one might say, rushes forward... The acceleration is simply magnificent! Up to 60-70 km/h, the C evolution will give odds even to its 500 cc petrol counterparts!
You’re driving, and the words of an old, rather caustic song are spinning in your head: “I know for sure, the impossible is possible...” The enthusiastic emotions from the drive are also fueled by the fact that the Germans made their “green” electric scooter not at all silent! Apparently, for the sake of passive safety, when accelerating, it makes the sound of a small-capacity gasoline engine, strangled according to all possible environmental standards!
On your own wave: test drive BMW C evolution
Adrenalin? I don’t think so, but high voltage, perhaps. Meet the BMW C evolution - the first mass-produced electric maxi scooter officially sold in Russia. The device is as strange as it is amazing, but first things first.
Let's start by answering the first and absolutely fair question - “Why?” Frankly, I asked this question last year, after learning about the possibility of the “electric train” appearing on the Russian market.
Well, where to ride it? Around the outlet? Where are the sockets? This is not Europe, just one or two charging stations and goodbye. Ecology? In Moscow? Don’t be ridiculous - one sky-smoking KAMAZ will put an end to a dozen electric vehicles, let alone scooters. However, all questions are removed once you drive the new BMW electric scooter for the first few meters, but first, let’s take a look around!
Finding an outlet in an unfamiliar place can be a challenge
From the outside, the C evolution resembles its close petrol cousins, the C650GT and C650 Sport maxi-scooters, but in this case it’s hard to say which one it looks more like.
Designer notes appear in both touring and sports models, while the electric scooter looks original. In many ways, it owes this to the impressive but low “shovel” of the windshield, which is sufficient in the city, as well as the wide stern, in which the Germans managed to fit not only part of the batteries, but also a full-fledged trunk on one integral.
The seat space is inferior to the trunks of gasoline maxi scooters due to the batteries located in the front part
In addition, the “luggage capacity” is increased due to the spacious “glove compartment” on the right, which is unlocked not by turning the key, but by pressing it. Nothing larger than a pack of cigarettes will fit into the left drawer - a connector for a standard charger is hidden under the lid of the “false” glove compartment. It is not lockable, which in our realities is rather a minus - just look, in the wake of the development of nanotechnology, especially cunning pioneers will learn to “drain” electricity at night.
In the left glove compartment there is a connector for a proprietary charger.
The batteries in the C evolution are the same as those in the BMW i3 – lithium-ion, high voltage and air-cooled, supplemented by a fan. In general, the C Evolution is available in two versions - the “basic” and the so-called “Long Range”, which can be visually distinguished by the color of the central tunnel overlays: in the “base” they are simply green, in the “long” they are speckled green.
But here, in the country of long distances, only the top version with increased battery capacity will be sold. The manufacturer does not indicate its value, but according to statements, the full charging time from a conventional 220V network takes about three hours, and 80% of the batteries are charged in 2 hours 15 minutes, while the range in the urban cycle is about 160 kilometers.
The “charged” version of the electric bike, sold in Russia, has a power reserve of about 160 kilometers
The figure is quite vague: on the one hand, in the city, observing traffic rules, there is nowhere to accelerate the device even to a maximum of 129 km/h, and frequent braking (read “recuperation”) can significantly extend the battery life.
On the other hand, constant acceleration takes up much more energy than stable straight-line movement; in general, the final reserve largely depends on the driving style. It was not possible to drain the battery completely during our express test, but even after an hour-long trip, replete with sharp accelerations, including with a passenger, the charge indicator inspired strong optimism.
The instantly spinning electric motor makes you hold the steering wheel tighter when accelerating.
At the same time, the C Evolution is equipped with standard heated grips, constantly lit running lights, anti-lock brakes and a stunningly bright color LCD display that acts as a dashboard. The instrument panel is completely digital and displays, in addition to the required power reserve and speed, also power delivery modes, recovery, temperature, time, date, voltage and a dozen other parameters. Cool!
However, it’s better to see once than to hear a hundred times! Despite the fact that there was very little time for the test and the queue of people literally snatched the device out of their hands, we managed to film something, namely, how the device accelerates, slows down and looks from the first person.
BMW C evolution test drive video:
And we will certainly run out the battery until the end in the summer, during a big test, and at the same time we will check the charging time when the device has covered several thousand kilometers in the press park. After all, from experience with smartphones, new ones always hold a charge well and we can only talk about the real quality of a particular battery after some time has passed.
The C evolution dashboard is a geek's dream: tons of indicators, animations and 100% readability even in bright daylight
For now, let's get back behind the wheel. The first thing your eye catches is the remote controls that are unified with other BMW motorcycle models, and the main surprise was the starter button. Why is she here? Too lazy to put a plug? But no - in fact, it, along with the brake, needs to be pressed in order to “start up” and start moving, and it can also turn off the electric motor so as not to rush off beyond the horizon by accidentally unscrewing the gas handle.
The electric scooter's controls are unified with other BMW motorcycles
And there is something to twist here: BMW claims a power of 48 horses (35 kilowatts) and 72 Nm of torque “at the shaft”, and, apparently, they are not lying. In the “Dynamic” mode, acceleration to the first hundred takes six to seven seconds, with a passenger a little more, so the acceleration dynamics correspond to a 400-500 cc gasoline motorcycle or a 600 cc “maxi-scooter,” which means you can stay ahead of the flow and be the first to start from traffic lights Always. By the way, there are several modes of operation of the electric motor, and you can select them right on the go by pressing the “Mode” button.
Activation of the engine electrical circuit, as well as control of its operating modes, occurs on the right console
The difference between the modes is visible on two symmetrical scales on the dashboard: the left “equalizer” shows the maximum possible recovery, the right one shows the possible power. In “Eco” mode, power and recovery operate at barely a third of the possible maximum, and in “Dynamic” everything is at maximum. And if everything is clear with recoil - the more maximum power the engine produces, the faster the acceleration, then with regenerative braking everything is much more interesting.
It turns on immediately, as soon as you release the gas, and begins to slow down the scooter. In eco-friendly mode, you hardly notice it and coast for a long time; in dynamic mode, on the contrary, the deceleration is as if the brake lever is lightly pressed. Of course, the more energy recuperation takes, the more actively the battery is recharged and the faster the device loses speed. The same system confuses the cards when working with the brakes.
Motor-wheel? This is for the Chinese! The C evolution is equipped with a full-fledged swingarm, but even with it the unsprung mass is high
The front brake with two 270 mm discs and floating calipers is the standard. Yes, there could have been more feedback, but the braking dynamics of a heavy scooter will be the envy of many, but the rear brake... On scooters, it itself is the weak link, but on the Evolution, in the complete absence of feedback, recuperation is also added, slowing down the stern .
Because of this, in reality it turns out like this - you release the gas, press the rear brake and feel a slight deceleration, press the lever a little harder and nothing happens, even harder and... Instead of any changes in the braking dynamics - ABS chirps. As a result, the rear brake is needed here only to correct the trajectory, while the front brake remains the main and most reliable tool.
The rear brake lever is completely uninformative due to recuperation
The “R” button located on the left remote control is a greeting from the future, which will soon overwhelm us. Well, what can she be responsible for? That's right, in reverse! He pressed, unscrewed the gas handle and quietly drove back. Why is it needed on a device that can be pushed with your feet? But then, why do you need a quick shifter on the R1200RT and cruise control with heated grips on the S1000RR - simply because BMW can do it.
It costs the manufacturer nothing to run an electric motor in the opposite direction, when even some gasoline engines can do this (for example, on snowmobiles), and it is convenient and pleasant for the user. And even if there is little practical benefit from such a function, nevertheless, it is there - the device is not a lightweight one. The curb weight, and in principle there is no dry weight here, is as much as 265 kg, although the petrol C650GT is a little lighter - with a full tank it is 261 kg.
Reverse gear on the BMW C evolution makes parking maneuvers much easier
The important thing is that despite the innovative design, which posed completely new challenges for the engineers, the Germans managed to make the C Evolution absolutely obedient and predictable. In turns, the device is stable, it sets trajectories perfectly, although it strives to straighten them, so it allows you to drive really fast. If only the asphalt under the wheels was smooth - the unsprung masses at the rear, like those of many representatives of the maxi class, with the possible exception of the Yamaha TMAX, are too large.
The electric train steers no worse than its gasoline counterparts
But the silent start and the absolute absence of vibrations, gear changes (believe me, even a continuously variable variator makes you know about its work, but then nothing at all!), and most importantly - the sound of the engine, shocks, frightens, makes you nervous. Unusual and that's it!
In a hundred years, our descendants will look at petrol S1000RRs the same way we look today at motorcycles with wooden frames and leather drive belts, but I personally don’t feel comfortable in such a future - it’s like riding a trolleybus.
The absence of acceleration sound, as one of the important feedback channels, is annoying at first
I am sure that when the development of electric transport is in full swing, especially for dinosaurs like me, “electric trains” will be equipped with speakers with a growl and flavors will be installed in the dashboard, emitting an environmentally friendly exhaust smell. Well, for the most inveterate perverts, they will install vibration motors, which, at the user’s request, will either pulsate like a Harley, or chirp like an old boxer, or even itch like an in-line “four”... Sorry, it’s time for fantasy.
The future is not just nearby - you can already touch it!
Be that as it may, even in its current form, the BMW C Evolution is absolutely harmonious and self-sufficient. This is the first electric scooter that you can buy not so much for the love of the environment, but for a full-fledged ride. How many kilometers does your commute take from home to work? 15, 25, 50? The Evolution's range allows you to comfortably get to work even from the deep Moscow region, driving past all the gas stations with a smile and looking at the ever-increasing cost of a liter of AI-95.
The environmental friendliness of the scooter allows you not only to get to work, but even to ride it around the office!
Of course, in our oil-rich country, driving an electric vehicle attracts, if not an article for extremism, then definitely the title of Russophobe, but excuse me - someone must bring closer a clean future, in which we want it or not, sooner or later everyone will turn out.
But personally, even if I was inspired by the eco-electric train from Germany, I would still choose the R NineT - I don’t want to be modern, I’ll be ancient until the end.
The growling petrol R nineT is much closer to my spirit. Read the test drive of this baby in the following issues
As for competitors, on the one hand, the electric C Evolution, with the exception of the Chinese no-name, does not have them, and on the other hand, at a cost of 1,039,000 rubles, buyers, willy-nilly, will look at gasoline “sofas”, the choice of which is huge.
These are two other “maxis” from BMW, C650 Sport (from 781,000 rubles) and C650GT (from 802,000 rubles), and the updated Yamaha TMAX (890,000 rubles), in addition to which there is a Kymco AK550 very similar to Yamaha , as well as the fastest production scooter – Aprilia SRV 850. But the last two will have to be looked for in our market, but the somewhat archaic Suzuki Burgman 650 in the Executive configuration can be purchased for only 649,000 rubles.
However, true fans of futurology and Elon Musk should not worry too much about the cost of saving the planet, so the C evolution will definitely find its buyer.
Subscribe to updates from the Omoimot magazine on VKontakte, Facebook, Twitter or Google+ to learn about the most interesting new products from the motorcycle world first-hand. We thank BMW Motorrad Russia for providing us with a motorcycle for testing.
Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71
OPTICS
An electric scooter cannot do without energy-saving diodes
In terms of acceleration dynamics to hundreds, there are no complaints about the scooter - you never feel inferior. In terms of handling, even more so - this energizer takes turns no worse than modern motorcycles. And it slows down even better! The prototype had, among other things, a braking system with ABS. In addition, the scooter uses an intelligent kinetic energy recovery system, which, when decelerating, returns unused electrical energy, which increases the range by 10-20% depending on the driving mode.
True, it was not possible to check the actual driving range, but the manufacturer assures us of 100 km at one “refueling”. But I can definitely say about the maximum speed - at full throttle the C evolution showed 120 km/h on the display...
TEXT: LIU WASEDA
conclusions
BMW specialists did not work in vain. They managed to create an excellent electric scooter, but it seems to me naive to count on a buyer in Russia. Perhaps some wealthy uncle will buy such a toy for himself to ride on his country estate or for the amusement of his children.
Even if we assume that there are enthusiasts who are ready to switch from a gasoline bike to an electric scooter, the cost of the C evolution (about 1.1 million rubles) will quickly convince them otherwise. This BMW electric vehicle has no direct competitors. But, for example, two petrol maxi-scooters from the same BMW (C650 Sport and C650GT) cost between 700-800 rubles.
The most affordable BMW motorcycle on the Russian market is the F 800 R. It has a 0.8 cc engine with 90 horsepower. Its price is in the range of 600-700 tr. At a price comparable to the BMW C Evolution electric scooter, the S 1000 RR superbike with a liter engine with a power of 199 “horses” can be purchased on the Russian market.
However, representatives of BMW Motorrad in Russia are confident that they will be able to sell 35 copies of the electric scooter annually. Well, let's look at the sales of this model after a while.
