BMW Motorrad is set to launch its first electric two-wheeler co-developed with TVS Motor Co, CE-02, in global markets in the next couple of months, while its India launch could happen towards the end of this year, according to a top company official. BMW CE-02 is being manufactured by TVS Motor at its plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.
BMW Motorrad has been in partnership with TVS Motor since 2013 for developing and manufacturing sub 500cc motorcycles. TVS Motor has been manufacturing BMW’s best-selling 310cc series motorcycles on a shared platform. In 2021, the companies expanded their collaboration to co-develop electric two-wheelers as well on a common platform.
Through this tie-up, BMW leverages TVS Motor’s manufacturing capability and market reach in India and other emerging markets, while TVS Motor looks to gain BMW’s brand value and technology expertise. The CE-02 is the first electric product to be developed on a common platform with TVS Motor.
The CE-02, which is expected to come with an 11-kW motor, is an electric two-wheeler classified between a bike and a scooter as it neither has a floorboard section like a scooter. When its concept was revealed, BMW had said the CE-02 would have a speed of up to 55 miles per hour (around 88 km per hour) and a range of 55 miles (88 km).
“We are planning the CE-02 launch in the next couple of months. Initially, it will be for global markets. In India, we might launch it towards the end of 2024 and we are targeting young customers,” Vikram Yadav, director for Purchasing, Production Partner and; Supplier Network at BMW Motorrad India, told Autocar Professional. He did not share any additional details regarding the model.
TVS Motor’s Hosur facility will be the sole manufacturing hub for the CE-02 and BMW Motorrad is likely to export completely knocked-down kits from India for sales in Europe. BMW had earlier launched two electric two-wheelers: C-Evolution in 2014 and CE-04 in 2021. TVS Motor was not involved in the production of these electric two-wheelers.
BMW motorcycles manufactured in partnership with TVS Motor Co have been well accepted across major markets such as the EU, the US, Latin America, Japan, China and India. TVS Motors’ Hosur manufacturing plant produces around 10% of BMW Motorrad’s volumes, globally. The BMW Motorrad models – BMW G310 R, BMW 310 GS, and BMW G310 RR are now available in 100+ countries.
BMW Motorrad India clocked its record sales during the calendar year 2023 with 8,768 units. The automaker sold 209,257 two-wheelers globally last year with India accounting for around 4% of the sales.