BMW's Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept boasts a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
Aimed at providing a last-mile transport option, the Mini CitySurfer weighs 18 kg (40 lb)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
BMW's Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept boasts a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
Aimed at providing a last-mile transport option, the Mini CitySurfer weighs 18 kg (40 lb)
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
Aimed at providing a last-mile transport option, the Mini CitySurfer weighs 18 kg (40 lb)
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
Aimed at providing a last-mile transport option, the Mini CitySurfer weighs 18 kg (40 lb)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
BMW has unveiled its Mini CitySurfer folding electric vehicle concept
The lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, which combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi)
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
The Mini CitySurfer concept fits inside the trunk of a Mini
Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph)
View gallery - 34 images
There's been no shortage of folding electric scooters covered here at Gizmag, but these have largely been the handiwork of spritely start-ups and idealistic entrepreneurs. The experienced heads at BMW have now signaled an intention to get in on the action, unveiling an eye-catching electric vehicle concept inspired by the good old-fashioned kick scooter.
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car. Aimed at providing a last-mile transport option, it weighs 18 kg (40 lb), which isn't among the lighter folding scooters we have come across, but it's not exactly mixing it with the heavyweights either.
The vehicle's lithium-ion battery is charged by a 12-volt automobile socket or regular wall outlet, and combines with regenerative braking to enable a range of 15 to 25 km (10 to 15 mi). Acceleration is thumb-operated and driven by a gearless hub motor in the rear wheel that is claimed to allow a top speed of 25 km/h (15 mph).
BMW says that the Mini CitySurfer concept would be compact enough when folded up to be carried on buses and trains or thrown in the back of the car
For those keeping a keen eye on all things folding, electric and scootering, these specs won't be exactly mind-blowing. Models that are already available and capable of such feats include the 8.0 kW XOR folding scooter with a range of 75 km (47 mi) and top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph), and the Scuddy, which hit the market back in 2012, can reach 35 km/h (21.7 mph) and cover up to 40 km (25 mi) on a single charge.
There's no word yet on if or when when the Mini CitySurfer might enter production, but the arrival of a prestigious vehicle manufacturer on the folding scooter scene may just prompt the odd commuter to ponder new ways of getting about town.
Nick has been writing and editing at New Atlas for over six years, where he has covered everything from distant space probes to self-driving cars to oddball animal science. He previously spent time at The Conversation, Mashable and The Santiago Times, earning a Masters degree in communications from Melbourne’s RMIT University along the way.
3 comments
theradarsweep
Yet another good looking product that's not street legal in the EU. Let's hope BMW can put their corporate lobbying weight behind changing the regulations. If you're not familiar yet with the regs here, electric vehicles in the EU have to be sub 250w motors, with pedals power assistance (torque sensors, PAS etc) and fit within certain weight limits. This means that the Trikke Pon-E, the yikebike and a whole lot more of the innovative solutions for last mile transport are essentially useless in countries where these regulations are enforced.
CaptD
2 Observations: As any serious cyclist knows having an accident at anything over a walking pace is just plain dangerous, so for BMW to show riders without helmets is not professional of them, especially side they also manufacture BMW motorcycles and even market BMW themed rider gear! Last mile transportation sounds like a great concept but the FLIP SIDE of this concept will only spread vehicles further into neighborhoods that are within a few miles of business districts, since commuters will soon opt to park (for free) there instead of paying to park near where they work. Parking BLIGHT along with increases in Density with further erode the quality of life for all those that live near business districts, since ever more commuters will fill up what residential parking is available, making personal garages a must have unless residents don't use vehicles themselves, since they will nt have any place to park nearby their homes!
James Ng
And don't tell me this new BMW foldable scooter will cost user an arm and a leg.
As any serious cyclist knows having an accident at anything over a walking pace is just plain dangerous, so for BMW to show riders without helmets is not professional of them, especially side they also manufacture BMW motorcycles and even market BMW themed rider gear!
Last mile transportation sounds like a great concept but the FLIP SIDE of this concept will only spread vehicles further into neighborhoods that are within a few miles of business districts, since commuters will soon opt to park (for free) there instead of paying to park near where they work. Parking BLIGHT along with increases in Density with further erode the quality of life for all those that live near business districts, since ever more commuters will fill up what residential parking is available, making personal garages a must have unless residents don't use vehicles themselves, since they will nt have any place to park nearby their homes!