BMW is gearing up to roll into the world of electric scooters with a sleek and foldable design.
While they already boast a lineup of electric bikes and scooters, a recent patent filing spills the beans on their venture into the compact e-scooter market. The patent reveals a folding frame concept, showcasing BMW’s interest in the buzzing e-mobility scene alongside names like McLaren and Bugatti.
Although the patent doesn’t spill the beans on the scooter’s name, it falls under the category of Electric Small-Sized Vehicle.
The sketches from PatentGuru highlight a folding mechanism with a rear wheel, frame, footboard support, and wheel folding feature, making it perfect for seamless integration into urban public transportation.
What sets the BMW folding e-scooter apart is its unique folding approach. Unlike traditional models, it doesn’t fold the wheel over the footboard. Instead, a clever slot houses the rear wheel, boasting a design with a first joint and a first pivot axis. This nifty mechanism allows the scooter to transition effortlessly from unfolded to folded positions.
In terms of power, the BMW e-scooter will pack a punch with a front-wheel electric hub motor delivering between 500W and 1,400W.
While it’s uncertain if it’ll be self-balancing, achieving that would require up to 60% of its power rating. To roam European roads, it’s expected to cap its speed at 20km/h.
The compact dimensions, unfortunately, remain a mystery, but the expectation is it’ll be portable enough for a small car, bus, or train ride. As for the release date, that remains under wraps, leaving us curious about when this sleek e-scooter will hit the streets.
