Urban mobility. That’s what’s behind BMW Motorrad’s decision to propose a scooter powered by an electric powertrain. This isn’t a revolutionary idea, as we already tested a similar machine sold by a company called Vetrix, but BMW claims their concept offers a broader spectrum of use.

BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept (Photo: BMW Motorrad)

Though no specific details are published about the electric powertrain, the E-Scooter is said to offer performance equivalent to a 600-cc machine. It can easily keep up with traffic and includes a driving range of over 100 kilometres (62 miles).

Best of all, the zero-emission E-Scooter can be recharged with a common household power outlet. When the battery is completely flat, it can be recharged in less than 3 hours. According to BMW Motorrad, however, charging times are generally shorter because their tests show that the battery rarely runs out completely.

BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept (Photo: BMW Motorrad)

During deceleration and braking, the system regenerates a small amount of energy, which can increase the driving range by between 10 and 20 percent.

The E-Scooter has no mainframe; rather, the steering head support, rear frame and swingarm are all connected to the aluminum battery casing. The electric motor, the power electronics and the charging device are liquid-cooled.

In comparison, the Vetrix VX-1 Li+ currently on sale has a top speed of 110 km/h (68 mph), a range of 88 to 136 km (55 to 85 miles) and is fully recharged in 4 to 6 hours.

BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept (Photo: BMW Motorrad)

BMW Motorrad E-Scooter concept (Photo: BMW Motorrad)