An all-electric big scooter with some range.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - July 4, 2011
BMW’s Full-sized E-Scoot with a 60-mile AER.
According to BMW, our current transportation solutions are grid locking urban centers with ever increasing traffic density. And the concept all-electric BMW E-Scooter is yet another concept that could have an impact on our ever changing urban mobility needs.
Currently purely electrically-powered scooters have been almost all but handcuffed to local travel within towns and cities due to their lowly performance and range. The BMW E-Scooter is supposed to break the logjam by offering far more range and performance to tackle just about any local traffic condition out to a one-way distance of 60-miles or 30-mile out on a round trip.
Performance of the all-electric variety
Acceleration - The concept BMW E-Scooter provides an acceleration in the ever important 0 – 35 mph range which is nearly equivalent to scooters powered by 600 cc combustion engines.
All Electric Range (AER) - The high storage capacity of the battery allows a daily driving range of over 62 miles providing a long-term, locally zero-emissions urban and suburban travel option which is suitable for everyday use.
Fast charging - The E-Scooter’s battery can be charged at regular household power outlets found in Europe, the USA, Canada and Japan, so no special charging station is required. When the battery is discharged, a full charge can be achieved in under 3-hours on a standard European 230V outlet.
The Scoot
Unlike existing large scooters with combustion engines, the concept vehicle does not have a main frame. Instead, the all-aluminum battery casing acts as the support frame. The steering head support is connected to it, as is the rear frame and the left-hand mounted single swing arm with directly hinged, horizontally installed shock absorber.
Power electronics and charging
Due to its high output, the BMW Motorrad E-Scooter motor/generator is mounted behind the battery casing. The secondary drive consists of a toothed belt from the motor to the belt pulley mounted coaxially on the swinging fork pivot with drive pinion. From here, power transmission occurs via roller chain to the rear wheel. When the E-Scooter is decelerated in trailing throttle or when braking, the energy released is regenerated and is said to increase range by up to 20 percent depending on driving profile. We know better
Cooling system
The motor/generator and power electronics are liquid-cooled, as is the charging device during charging. An electric coolant pump ensures coolant circulation through the radiator. While a coolant is commonly used for the battery in electrically powered cars, the E-Scooter concept vehicle uses an air cooling system in order to save space.
Price? Unknown? Top speed? Unknown. Total usable battery cap? Maybe 8 to 9kWh useable? And a whole lot more unknowns but if BMW is contemplating it, it should not be long before we see an actual working prototype possibly here in the states
Hybrid Mode
