BMW CE 02 Is a Rad Little E-Motorbike for the City

• BMW Motorrad is launching a new electric motorbike called CE 02, which is designed for running around town while looking far less dorky than a mobility scooter.

• The electric motor makes up to 15 horsepower, and there are two 1.96-kWh batteries on board. BMW Motorrad says that's enough for about 56 miles of driving range.

• A set of smartglasses is also being introduced. Wearing them, riders get vital information such as speed and turn-by-turn navigation right in their line of sight.

Electric powertrains are creating a lot of buzz in the car world. That same eco-friendly approach is trickling down to motorcycles, so BMW Motorrad is adding a second electric model to its lineup of two-wheelers. The CE 02 is a smaller and more affordable follow-up to the CE 04 that hit the market for the 2022 model year.

While BMW insists this new product is neither an e-motorbike nor an e-scooter, we can't quite get on board with the company's marketing materials, which refer to the CE 02 as an "e-parkourer." We can see where they're going with it, though, as the bike has a street-smart appearance that'll look right at home in urban settings.

Two different versions will be offered in global markets, including one with a 5-hp electric motor and a single 1.96-kWh battery. But American buyers will have just one choice: the more powerful 15-hp version, which doubles up the batteries for a total of 3.92 kWh and a claimed range of about 56 miles per charge. Top speed is estimated to be 59 mph.

A 0.9-kW home charging adapter is standard, but frequent riders may find it more convenient to upgrade to the optional 1.5-kW charger, as it cuts down on charging time. The higher-powered charger is part of the optional Highline package, which also adds Bluetooth phone connectivity, a smartphone holder, heated hand grips, and an upgraded seat.