The first time I noticed the BMW CE 04 via the showroom glass, sincerely, it felt like some thing immediately out of a sci-fi frame. In India we associate scooters with Activa, Jupiter, Access and here stood this long, razor-sharp electric powered slab pretending to be a scooter. Beautiful? Absolutely. But splendor is handiest fun when you query what’s below.
Design Less scooter, more cyber-tablet on wheels
If people don’t turn around and stare at you on the road, owning the CE 04 loses half its charm. It looks like the future lost its way and ended up in traffic. Flat side panels, bold paint, BMW screaming “take it or leave it”. But practicality? Umm borderline. Storage is smart but not generous, and if your daily routine is just 20–30 km city commute, its futuristic drama may start feeling like overacting.
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Once at a private EV showcase in Gurgaon, I sat on the CE 04 and twisted the throttle. Smooth like silk. But the long footboard made me feel like I was sitting on a short bench rather than a scooter. Comfortable, yes. Normal? Not quite. Same odd excitement you feel when you switch from Eco to Sport for the very first time.
Performance Brilliant on paper, different story on tarmac
BMW claims mad acceleration and a strong top speed as every premium EV does. Specs are shiny. But real world? A friend imported one for testing, took it into Mumbai traffic, and later summed it up in one line Power is insane, but this thing hates traffic. That’s the truth the CE 04 comes alive on wide roads, not chokepoint signal-to-signal battles.
Range looks impressive on brochures too, but I still remember the old C Evolution: promised more, delivered a little less. That doubt has stuck with me, and CE 04 hasn’t erased it. Charging speed is good, yes but fast charging availability in India is still like wishing for snowfall in May.
Tech & Features Great for showing off, glitch risk still there
The 10.25-inch TFT screen is gorgeous navigation, connectivity, full premium biker vibe. The issue is trust. Once, a navigation freeze on a BMW bike left me searching for a U-turn for half an hour on NH48. From that day, BMW software sits in my mind with a small question mark.
Specs shine like chrome on sunlight but premium EVs need stability and software reliability more than fancy menus. And that's the part where I still feel a tiny pinch of doubt.
So, is the CE 04 worth buying?
Straight up BMW CE 04 is not a scooter, it’s a statement. It's for someone who enjoys being stared at, who sees technology as jewellery, who wants to ride tomorrow today. But for someone who needs a scooter for daily life office, groceries, occasional village trip this is not the sensible choice.
If you want a taste of the future, want an electric thrill that feels premium and bold, want a machine that makes people ask, “What on Earth is that?” the CE 04 is a fantastic experience. But if budget, charging convenience, range safety and peace of mind matter more waiting might be a better move.
My personal verdict? This isn’t a scooter. It’s an attitude. And attitude isn’t always a necessity.