BMW Electric Scooters: CE 04 vs CE 02 Guide 2026

'BMW Electric Scooter' Searches Are Spiking in Italy. Here's What Buyers Need to Know

Over the past few months, 'scooter elettrico BMW' has become one of the most searched terms among Italians considering the switch to an electric two-wheeler. That is no surprise: BMW Motorrad is the only major mainstream manufacturer offering two dedicated electric city scooters, the CE 04 and the CE 02, at very different price points, power levels, and license requirements. Before choosing between new and used, it is worth understanding what actually separates the two models, how much the 2026 Ecobonus incentive can shave off the sticker price, and how well these scooters hold their value on the used market.

BMW CE 04: the maxi electric scooter, updated for 2026

The CE 04 is the larger, more powerful model in the lineup, aimed at riders covering longer urban and suburban commutes every day. For 2026, BMW carried over the two-power-tier setup introduced in the previous update: a detuned 11 kW (15 hp, with a 23 kW/31 hp peak) version that can be ridden on a car (B) or A1 license, and a full-power 31 kW (42 hp) version that requires an A2 license. Kerb weight is 231 kg, official range runs from 100 to 130 km depending on usage, and a full charge from a home socket takes about 4 hours 20 minutes, dropping to roughly 1 hour 40 minutes with fast charging. The most tangible change for model year 2026 is the new Exclusive trim, which bundles previously optional equipment — upgraded LED lighting, premium finishes, a comfort package — as standard, alongside new paint options. The 2026 list price for the base version starts at around 13,500 euros.

BMW CE 02: the small city runabout, split across two licenses

The CE 02 targets a more urban crowd and a wider range of license holders, including very young riders. It comes in two versions: a 4 kW (roughly 5 hp) moped-class variant that can be ridden from age 14 on an AM license, priced at 7,750 euros, and an 11 kW (15 hp nominal) version that requires an A1 or car (B) license, priced at 8,750 euros. It weighs just 132 kg, has a low 75 cm seat height, tops out near 100 km/h in its more powerful guise, and is rated for roughly 95 km of range. The battery pack is removable and can be charged from any standard 230V household outlet, useful for anyone without garage or wallbox access. Road tests describe a nimble, quick-off-the-line machine in traffic, but note a fairly firm seat, tight rider space, and a slim frontal profile that makes it less visible to drivers — worth extra caution, especially after dark.

The 2026 Ecobonus: how it works, and what it is actually worth

Italy's Ecobonus scheme for electric and hybrid two-wheelers is back for 2026, backed by roughly 30 million euros for the current year. The mechanism grants a 30% rebate on the purchase price, capped at 3,000 euros, for buyers who are not scrapping an old vehicle; that rises to 40%, capped at 4,000 euros, for those trading in a Euro 3 or older combustion vehicle in the same category. Since March 18, 2026, participating dealers have been able to reserve the incentive through the Ministry's (MIMIT) portal and apply it as a direct discount on the invoice, later reclaiming it as a tax credit — meaning the incentive only applies to a new purchase from a participating dealer, not to a private used-vehicle sale. A second, smaller tranche of 90 million euros has already been announced for 2027-2030, but at lower rates (20% without trade-in, 30% with trade-in): one more reason to consider buying now, while the current rates last, and in any case before the current fund runs dry.

New with a discount, or used: the math that flips the usual logic

Running the Ecobonus numbers against 2026 list prices produces a striking picture. The 11 kW CE 02, listed at 8,750 euros, drops to roughly 5,250 euros with a qualifying trade-in (8,750 minus 40%, comfortably under the 4,000-euro cap); the AM version, listed at 7,750 euros, falls to around 4,650 euros under the same terms. Meanwhile, used 2025-2026 CE 02 listings spotted on AutoScout24 already sit in a 4,400-to-5,500-euro range. In other words, a brand-new BMW electric scooter, with full warranty and a government incentive, can cost nearly as much as a one-year-old used example — provided you have a Euro 3 or older combustion vehicle to scrap. On the CE 04, the math is proportionally less dramatic, since a 4,000-euro cap matters less against a 13,500-euro list price, but it still amounts to a genuine 25-30% discount off the full price; either way, check with the dealer on remaining fund availability and eligibility for your specific configuration before committing.

What to check when buying a used CE 04 or CE 02

If used is still the better fit — no vehicle to trade in, or the Ecobonus fund has already run dry — the checks that matter differ somewhat from a petrol scooter. First: battery state of health, not just mileage, since remaining capacity is what actually determines real-world range and resale value; always ask for a charging and service history if one exists. Second: remaining battery warranty, which most manufacturers set longer than the warranty on the rest of the vehicle, and whether it transfers with a change of ownership. Third: tire and brake wear, which behaves differently than on a combustion scooter given the added battery weight and the instant torque available from a standstill. Fourth: confirm servicing has been carried out at BMW-authorized shops, given how much electronic and electrical content these models carry.

Everyday perks in the city: restricted zones, parking, and insurance

In many Italian cities, electric vehicles — scooters included — get free or discounted access to restricted traffic zones (ZTL) and timed pedestrian areas, along with exemptions or discounts on metered parking; always check your own municipality's current rules, since they vary by city and get updated periodically. On the insurance side, third-party liability cover for an electric scooter is not automatically cheaper than for an equivalent combustion model: premiums depend more on no-claims class, power output, and where you live than on the powertrain, so it still pays to compare several quotes before signing — especially on a brand-new vehicle with no no-claims history of its own.

The bottom line

Anyone searching for a 'BMW electric scooter' today is really choosing between two very different products, not one: the CE 02 for city use and newer riders, the CE 04 for those who want performance and range closer to a maxi-scooter. And before looking at the used market, it is worth running the Ecobonus numbers first — in 2026, they can all but erase the price advantage that used scooters usually hold.

Sources / Further reading

1. BMW CE 04 (2026), price and specs — Moto.it
2. BMW CE 02 (2024-26), price and specs — Moto.it
3. BMW CE 02: electric scooter — BMW Motorrad Italy
4. CE 04: electric scooter — BMW Motorrad Italy
5. BMW CE 02 A1 2024 test and review — inSella.it
6. Electric motorcycle and scooter incentives 2026: how to get up to 4,000 euros — InMoto.it
7. Buy a used BMW CE 02 — AutoScout24
8. BMW CE 04: the maxi electric scooter is renewed with technology, comfort, and two power levels — InMoto.it