All Tests – C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready – Engine: it turns, action … silence!

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C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready

All Tests - C evolution test: the BMW electric scooter is ready - Engine: it turns, action ... silence!

Gone are the days of concepts and prototypes, exhibitions and demonstrations: the BMW C evolution electric scooter is coming to BMW dealerships. Site was able to test its final version… and the current has gone well! First try.

Engine: it’s running, action … silence !

It could not be more gentle, the start of the C evolution is accompanied by a slight whistle similar to that of a tram. The pilot perfectly controls each of his departures: the first degrees of opening of the "watts" throttle are more manageable than on certain thermal models … like the K1600GT for example.

The C evolution enjoys excellent balance at low speed (danke schon the wheelbase of 1594 mm!). At the same time, the lively but neutral steering (24.1 ° shank angle) pleases its driver, as does the comfortable driving position. To be honest, the big BMW electric scooter seemed easier to tame than its cousin, the C 600 Sport. !

From the first kilometer, therefore, the BMW electric scooter scores big points by showing itself to be perfectly controllable, thanks to settings on the angle as gradual as can be its acceleration … Only the suspensions are a bit firm and n ” not completely absorb cobbles or speed bumps encountered at the start of the route.

The wide and deserted avenues of Barcelona then allow us to test the accelerations of the C evolution in its most "Dynamic" driving mode (one of the four proposed, see our technical point) … They allow us at the same time validate the usefulness and effectiveness of traction control (TCA) !

When you open the watts to the maximum at the start of a stop or a traffic light, the – very good – Pirelli Diablo Scooter actually struggle to transfer the colossal torque of the electric motor to the ground. It must be recognized that the lack of grip of certain Catalan avenues did not facilitate the task for Italian tires.

Under these conditions, the pilot may feel a few small jolts in the rear axle. These are neither unpleasant nor frightening, but betray the intervention of "Traction Control" when the engine delivers its 72 Nm, that is to say between 1 (one!) And 4,500 rpm.

"No, this specificity of the electric does not harm the tires", assures MNC the electronics and chassis manager, Kay Kindermann:"these are the same Pirelli as those fitted to our C 600 Sport and C 650 GT. If our testers have succeeded in overcoming it in 5000 km, they expect a longevity of 10,000 km in wiser use".

During its survey, Site was able to establish that the C evolution was ahead of the C 600 Sport between 0 and 80 km / h. Identical in terms of engine, the final model is just as convincing in this respect during this test in Barcelona…

It releases without any difficulty its counterparts 125 cc – even 530 cc -, of which some pilots do not hide their surprise … mixed with a touch of admiration or jealousy, it depends. And the absence of noise naturally adds to the surprise of scooters, bikers and motorists !

Zero emissions ?

Sound question is certain, the C evolution almost limits to nothing its sound emissions. As a result, the feeling that we have on our handlebars to move without polluting our mother nature is just as striking. But the footprint of the BMW electric scooter is far from invisible…

It escapes no one that the fairy electricity momentarily stored in the battery comes 75% from nuclear power in France, and 62% from fossil fuels in Germany! Likewise, at no time does BMW – any more than other manufacturers of electric vehicles – mention to its customers the environmental impact of batteries … Zero emissions, my eye !

The silence of the C evolution is particularly appreciable in built-up areas. In order not to break the spell, the BMW France press manager who accompanies us on an S1000R even feels obliged to disengage as soon as he can and cuts the engine at each red light. !

On the pedestrian side, the discretion of our electric scooters is in no way considered dangerous and on the contrary attracts us big smiles. The same goes for drivers of cars, motorized two-wheelers and pedal-powered two-wheelers … who breathe deeply and with each movement quantities of exhaust gas…

Another particularity of electric vehicles – in addition to torque and silence: they take advantage of deceleration and / or braking phases to recharge their battery. In use, the moment of inertia generated by the system is similar to an engine brake, which also varies on the C evolution depending on the driving mode adopted..

In "Dynamic" mode, the moment of inertia is important, not to say surprising at the beginning! The engine braking is then so effective that the driver hardly needs to touch the levers in smooth traffic. Quite abrupt when the gas watts are released, it may not appear "natural" to thermal scooter users.

Initially, they will therefore prefer to use the "Road" mode, in which the energy recovery is less marked and therefore less efficient. There is a slight loss in terms of acceleration – proof of this small decrease, the TCA intervenes a little less -, but it is compensated for when decelerating by a reaction closer to that of a classic scooter..

However, there is one notable difference: the C evolution does not coast when reaching a low speed, as its gasoline-powered cousins ​​do. The electric scooter therefore stops earlier than a thermal scooter and asks its driver to step out a little earlier as well: a blow to (re) take !

The pace of our little Catalan walk accelerates in the first bends leading to the Collserola Natural Park. As the engine pickups continue to impress, MNC realizes that BMW has chosen an ultimately satisfactory compromise when it comes to fork and rear shock settings..

The large scooter adapts very well to energetic driving on small roads. Without qualifying it as a sporty one, Site can ensure that the C evolution behaves in a healthy way in the winding: the pilot can keep the brakes when entering a curve and accelerate strongly when exiting without deviating from its trajectory..

On descents, the use of the brakes is almost useless if the "Dynamic" or "Eco Pro" mode is selected: the engine braking is then maximum. So much so that on slopes that are too light, the pilot must release the scooter by slightly rotating the right handle. Energy recovery decreases accordingly.

Conversely, and if necessary, the brakes – the real ones, with discs! – are present. They are also the same as those of the BMW maxi scooters: perfectly dosable, they are powerful enough to quickly stop the scooter and are supported by a Bosch ABS as efficient as it is discreet..

On the flat this time but still in "Eco pro" mode, the performance of the (maxi) electric scooter drops significantly to reach those of a (small) 125 cc. The driver will be satisfied with this in areas limited to 30 km / h, on days when he is not in a hurry, or when he has to cover more than 100 km in one go. !

In this economical mode, the scooter restrained to the nominal 11 kW sees its autonomy increase "from 10 to 20%"compared to the 100 km estimated by German engineers in" Road "mode. Enough to make a round trip (two, or even three ?!) between home and office without going to the pump taken.

Before revealing the average consumption during its Spanish walk and the remaining battery level – which will make it possible to estimate the effective autonomy of the BMW electric scooter -, Site must specify that the end of the route included a quick getaway on the expressway…

In addition to the stability of the machine, we could appreciate the driving mode "Sail" particularly pleasant on fast track due to the total absence of engine brake, which allows to continue spinning even when the watts are released. and considerably softens high speed evolutions.

Whatever mode is chosen, the scooter is limited to 120 km / h (the French would probably have preferred 130). However, whether in "Sail", "Dynamic" or "Road", this maximum speed is reached in no time! Even beyond 90 km / h, the relaunches of the electric motor remain damn convincing.

Another advantage of the C evolution also stands out on the motorway: you don’t regret a single vibration on board. Certainly, MNC has detected when stationary and on rare occasions "nano" vibrations in the right foot, generated by the small fan of the battery pack. But you have to be super attentive to perceive them … and in very bad faith to complain about them !

The driving position is very comfortable: the feet can be placed on the inclined apron and allow the legs to unfold, the buttock has a sufficiently wide saddle in its rear part and the lumbars are perfectly wedged against the raised passenger saddle..

Good news therefore: it is quite possible to venture on the expressway on the handlebars of this electric scooter. We only regret that the large bubble – smoke – of origin only adequately protects the bust of the pilot. The latter will have to go to the accessories department to install a higher element and insulate his helmet from drafts..

Back in town and remained in "Sail" mode, Site finds it pleasant to let the scooter continue quietly on its wander … yes, "wanders", hence the marine term of this fourth and last driving mode. the only flaw is never to recover energy – and, as a result, to reduce autonomy.

Stay connected…

On its official website, the ERDF electricity network manager relies on the "Green Book" of the senator of the Alpes-Maritimes Louis Negre, published in May 2011, to estimate at 2 million the number of electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicles put into circulation in France by 2020…

During the report of April 15, 2014 made by Ms. Frederique Massat to the National Assembly, however, we learned that only 25,000 100% electric vehicles were running at the end of 2013 in France and that ERDF had had to revise its penetration scenario sharply downward. : between 450,000 to 800,000 units are now expected for 2020.

According to the PS deputy from Ariège, the ignition delay (!) Is mainly due to "insufficient national network of charging stations", made up to date of 5,600 road terminals. To remedy this, two types of initiatives must therefore be reinforced:"those of local authorities which deploy their local network thanks to the aid of ADEME on the one hand, and those of private actors on the other"… like BMW for example, which will equip the Relais et Châteaux installed in town.

Quantitatively, however, the government considered (in the Grenelle 2 bill) that these terminals accessible to the public would only represent 10% of outlets and 20% of uses. "Since 2012, therefore, the construction of buildings (offices and homes) with parking must include charging sockets. In condominiums, the creation of a "right to take" facilitates the necessary work. And at work, the creation of outlets will also be made easier and mandatory in the parking lots of office buildings by 2015.".

At the end of this 57.9 km loop, the C evolution dashboard used by Site indicates having consumed an average of 6.8 kW / 100km, having spent 5.1 kW (but having recovered 1.1! ) and have a 45% full battery.

MMNC readers – who as everyone knows, master Excel much better than others – will therefore be able to verify that the range of the C evolution actually reaches 100 km … and even exceeds them by around ten kilometers..

At the end of this test, Site must recognize that the BMW electric scooter is ready. On the other hand, are customers ready to spend 15,400 euros to acquire it? "We are convinced of it, but have no precise idea on the number of sales this year", reports the press manager of BMW Motorrad France.

For information and to put into perspective the extension of 4200 euros for a C evolution compared to a C 600 Sport, one of the BMW engineers tells us that in Germany "the cost of using our electric scooter is estimated at 2 euros per 100 km".

To the MNC ladle, running the C evolution – whose batteries are guaranteed for five years at 80% of their capacity – would therefore be about five times cheaper than a C 600 Sport. Each potential buyer will therefore be able to judge according to their annual mileage..

In doing so, Site mathematicians should not forget to take into account the price per kWh! For an individual, it is indeed about half as much in France as in Germany: 14.72 centimes per kWh on our side of the Rhine against 29.19 on the other according to 2013 figures from Eurostat.

Another lever that could allow the C evolution to prosper in France: the extension to two-wheelers of the bonus for the acquisition of an electric vehicle, subsidy granted by the State to only electric cars and vans !

Despite a drop of 700 euros last November, this ecological bonus remains important since it can reach up to 6,300 euros. Capped at 27% of the price of the vehicle, this aid would place the price of the C Evolution at € 11,242 … That is exactly the price of a Tmax or a C 600 Sport !

For now, only a few French cities offer bonuses unfortunately capped at the level of the daisies: Paris, for example, reimburses up to 33% of the purchase price but within a limit of 400 euros. The same amount is allocated to Daix (21) and Aix-les-Bains (73), while the inhabitants of La Motte-Servolex (73), Nice (06) or Chambery (73) must be satisfied with € 250 and those of Villeneuve-les-Avignons of 200 €. It is off the mark…

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