What the CE 04 Is—and Why Made in Berlin Matters

Since 2022, the BMW CE 04 has been the only premium electric maxi-scooter on the German market that is actually produced in Germany, at BMW’s Berlin-Spandau plant.

For buyers who consider supply chains, production quality, and the political footprint of their vehicle, this is no small footnote, but a genuine purchasing consideration.

The electric motor comes from the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer—a mass-production vehicle built in large numbers. That means this is not concept-car technology but proven production hardware adapted from another BMW model line.

For 2026, there are no technical changes, but BMW introduces three clearly defined equipment lines—Basic, Avantgarde, and Exclusive—along with a revised color program. The right-side storage compartment can now also be opened while seated on the scooter, a small detail that saves time and effort in daily use.

Powertrain: 42 hp, 62 Nm, 0–31 mph in 2.6 Seconds

Permanently excited, liquid-cooled synchronous electric motor, 31 kW / 42 hp maximum output, approximately 62 Nm of torque. Zero to 50 km/h (31 mph) in 2.6 seconds. Top speed: 120 km/h (75 mph).

Those numbers sound like scooter performance. They do not feel like scooter performance.

Acceleration is dramatically stronger than on combustion-powered scooters in the same class. Pull away from a traffic light against a 34 hp gasoline scooter and conventional technology does not stand a chance. Electric torque arrives instantly, with no buildup, no CVT delay, and no warm-up.

That is the riding experience that separates the CE 04 from almost everything else in the city.

There are four riding modes: Eco, with reduced performance and maximum range; Rain, with adapted traction-control intervention for wet conditions; Road, the standard mode; and Dynamic, with the sportiest throttle response, available as an option.

ASC (Automatic Stability Control) comes standard, while DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) is optional. ECALL emergency-call assistance is standard—something unique in the scooter segment.

Range: 130 km WMTC—and What That Really Means

Usable battery capacity is 8.9 kWh. Official WMTC range is 130 km.

In real-world urban riding, owners report around 90–110 km depending on temperature, speed, and riding mode. At sustained highway speeds of 110 km/h, range drops significantly.

That is exactly what happens with every electric vehicle: laboratory figure versus real-world figure.

For an urban commuter covering 30–60 km per day, the range is sufficient, especially with convenient charging. For long-distance riders, you need to calculate your range and plan charging stops.

Charging: 2.3 kW Standard, 6.9 kW Optional—the Cost Equation

The CE 04 has an integrated 2.3 kW onboard AC charger using Mode 2. A full charge takes approximately 4 hours 20 minutes. That is the relevant figure for anyone charging from a household outlet or a basic wallbox.

If you want faster charging, BMW offers an optional 6.9 kW onboard fast charger for €915, plus the Mode 3 charging cable for €335. With that setup, charging from 20–80% takes 45 minutes, while a full charge takes 1 hour 40 minutes.

The fast charger cannot be retrofitted. If you want it, you need to configure it when ordering the scooter.

An additional €1,250 for genuinely useful everyday fast charging is a significant budget item. For riders who charge overnight at home and start every morning with a full battery, the standard charger is sufficient. For riders with unpredictable charging opportunities or without fixed charging infrastructure, the fast charger makes sense.

Chassis: Telescopic Fork, Single-Sided Swingarm, 15-Inch Wheels, Michelin Tires

Tubular-steel frame. Conventional telescopic fork up front—not USD. Single-sided swingarm at the rear. The CE 04 uses 15-inch wheels front and rear, with a 120/70 R15 front tire and 160/60 R15 rear. Michelin City Grip 2 tires come standard—among the best all-round tires in the class, particularly in the wet.

A mechanical parking brake is activated through the side stand. Electric reverse assist is optional and is a genuine convenience when maneuvering 231 kg in tight parking spaces.

The suspension is stable and comfortable, and the electric scooter remains composed even during brisk cornering. This is not a sport vehicle, it is a touring-oriented urban scooter with excellent stability.

Brakes: Dual Front Discs, ABS Pro Optional

Two front brake discs, each with a four-piston caliper. For a scooter, that is a high-spec configuration. Dual-channel ABS comes standard, while ABS Pro with cornering functionality is optional. DTC is also optional.

The brakes provide positive feedback: precise, easy to modulate, and free of surprises.

Ergonomics: 780 mm, Side Compartment, 10.25-Inch TFT

The 780 mm seat height is manageable for riders from around 1.65 meters tall. The seat itself is long and flat, with space for a passenger.

At 231 kg ready to ride, the CE 04 is heavy. Once moving, the low center of gravity makes that weight far less noticeable; during maneuvering and when lifting the scooter off the sidestand, however, you feel it. Optional electric reverse assist helps.

The 10.25-inch TFT display offers a split-screen layout, allowing navigation, phone functions, and riding data to be displayed simultaneously. BMW Motorrad Connected App integration is included.

A USB-C port comes standard in the water-resistant, ventilated smartphone compartment. ECALL is standard. And the right-side storage compartment can now be opened while seated for 2026—a small update with a major everyday benefit.

2026: Three Equipment Lines

Basic (from €12,950): Lightwhite solid paint, clear windscreen, black/gray seat. Full standard technical equipment.

Avantgarde (Basic + €230): Gravity Blue Metallic Matte, São Paulo Yellow, yellow-tinted windscreen, laser-engraved rear wheel, Pro seat.

Exclusive: Spacesilver Metallic, large windscreen with integrated hand protection, heated grips, heated comfort seat, one-sided laser-engraved wheel, CE 04 embroidery. This is the full-equipment package for long-distance riders and year-round commuters.

The large windscreen with integrated hand protection is the most important practical addition to the Exclusive version. Existing CE 04 riders have repeatedly identified inadequate wind protection from the standard screen as a major criticism. The Exclusive version directly addresses that issue.

Warranty: 3 Years Vehicle, 5 Years Battery

The vehicle carries a 3-year warranty, while the high-voltage battery is covered for 5 years or 50,000 km.

That is a strong battery warranty and an important buying argument for anyone who wants long-term protection for the most expensive component on the vehicle.

BMW also has a nationwide dealer network in Germany—considerably denser than those of many other electric-vehicle manufacturers.

Price: €12,950—the Premium Caveat

The base price is €12,950. Add the fast charger, Mode 3 cable, and Exclusive equipment, and the total can easily exceed €15,000. That is roughly as expensive as a Yamaha TMAX 560 Tech MAX at around €15,490, more than a fully equipped Voge SR4 Max at €7,069, and almost twice the price of a Zontes 368 G.

What do you get in return? German engineering, the BMW dealer network, a 5-year battery warranty, a huge TFT display, dual front disc brakes, ECALL, and production in Berlin-Spandau.

If you do not need those things or do not want to pay for them, choose another vehicle. If you value them, there is no better electric-scooter package in this class on the German market.

Verdict

The 2026 BMW CE 04 is the benchmark electric maxi-scooter on the German market. 31 kW, 0–50 km/h in 2.6 seconds, 130 km WMTC range, 8.9 kWh battery, dual front disc brakes, ABS, ASC, ECALL, 10.25-inch TFT with navigation, 3-year vehicle warranty, 5-year battery warranty. Made in Berlin. For 2026, the three equipment lines add useful choice, with the Exclusive version’s large windscreen, heated grips, and heated seat directly addressing the previous model’s main criticisms.

Prices start at €12,950, with the fast charger sold separately. No Tyrol riding restriction because it is electric.

 

Quick Check

+ 31 kW / 42 hp, 62 Nm; 0–50 km/h in 2.6 seconds: acceleration is dramatically stronger than combustion-powered scooters in the same class. No warm-up, no CVT rubber-band effect, no revving—the torque is there instantly. Dual front discs with four-piston calipers, ABS Pro optional, ASC standard, DTC optional, ECALL standard: a comprehensive electronics package.

+ 3-year vehicle warranty, 5 years / 50,000 km on the high-voltage battery: best battery warranty in this test series. Made in Berlin-Spandau. Nationwide BMW dealer network. 10.25-inch TFT with split-screen and navigation standard. Michelin City Grip 2 tires standard. ECALL emergency-call assistance standard: unique in the scooter segment. 2026 Exclusive: large windscreen with hand protection + heated grips + heated seat directly address the previous model’s main criticisms.

+ No stationary noise rating, no Tyrol riding restriction. Optional 6.9 kW fast charger (€915): 20–80% in 45 minutes, full charge in 1 hr 40 min. Right-side storage compartment can be operated while seated for 2026. Optional electric reverse assist: useful for maneuvering 231 kg in tight parking spaces. A1-restricted 11 kW version available for B196 riders.

 

– €12,950 base price: an expensive vehicle. Fast charger €915 + Mode 3 cable €335 = €1,250 extra for genuinely fast AC charging—and the fast charger cannot be retrofitted. No DC fast charging, no CCS. At 231 kg, this is a heavy vehicle; you notice it while maneuvering and lifting it upright.

– 130 km WMTC; realistically closer to 90–110 km in urban riding and significantly less at highway speeds. No conventional helmet compartment—only a small right-side compartment for one helmet, not the XXL storage space offered by many scooters. Wind protection on Basic and Avantgarde versions has been described by existing riders as inadequate; only the Exclusive version with its large screen significantly improves it. Technically unchanged since 2022: no major technical update for 2026.

 

Technical Specifications: BMW CE 04 (2026)

Make / Model: BMW CE 04 (2026; technology unchanged since 2022; new Basic/Avantgarde/Exclusive equipment lines; new colors); production: BMW Berlin-Spandau plant

2026 Updates: Three equipment lines: Basic (Lightwhite), Avantgarde (Gravity Blue Matte + engraved wheel + Pro seat), Exclusive (Spacesilver + large windscreen with hand protection + heated grips + heated seat). Side storage compartment can now also be operated while seated. Technology unchanged.

Powertrain: Permanently excited, liquid-cooled synchronous electric motor (derived from BMW 2 Series Active Tourer); 31 kW / 42 hp maximum output; approx. 62 Nm; belt final drive; no conventional transmission

Power Versions: 31 kW version (full motorcycle license; 120 km/h). 11 kW version (A1/B196; restricted; 90 km/h)

Top Speed / Acceleration: 120 km/h; 0–50 km/h in 2.6 seconds

Battery / Range: 8.9 kWh usable; permanently installed; lithium-ion; 130 km WMTC; approx. 90–110 km real-world urban range

Charging: Standard charger: 2.3 kW integrated AC, Mode 2/3; full charge 4 hr 20 min. Optional 6.9 kW onboard fast charger (€915; cannot be retrofitted) + Mode 3 cable (€335): 20–80% in 45 min; full charge 1 hr 40 min. No DC fast charging, no CCS.

Weight / Payload: 231 kg ready to ride; 180 kg payload

Chassis: Tubular-steel frame; conventional telescopic fork front; single-sided swingarm rear; 15-inch wheels front and rear; 120/70 R15 front / 160/60 R15 rear; Michelin City Grip 2

Brakes: Dual front discs with four-piston calipers; rear disc brake; mechanical parking brake activated through side stand; dual-channel ABS standard; ABS Pro with cornering function optional; DTC optional; ASC standard

Riding Modes: Eco / Rain / Road standard; Dynamic optional

Electronics: ABS standard; ASC standard; DTC optional; ABS Pro cornering function optional; ECALL emergency-call assistance standard; 10.25-inch TFT with split-screen + navigation + smartphone connectivity; BMW Motorrad Connected App; USB-C; Keyless Ride; electric reverse assist optional; adaptive cornering light optional

Ergonomics: 780 mm seat height; long, flat seat; passenger accommodation standard; right-side storage compartment (can be operated while seated from 2026); water-resistant ventilated smartphone compartment; USB-C; no XXL helmet storage; Exclusive: large windscreen with hand protection + heated seat + heated grips

Stationary Noise: Not applicable (electric powertrain); Tyrol motorcycle noise restriction does not apply

Warranty: 3 years vehicle; 5 years / 50,000 km high-voltage battery

Price (Germany): Basic from €12,950; Avantgarde + €230; Exclusive equipment configurable on request; fast charger €915 + Mode 3 cable €335 separately (all plus destination charges)