The electric bike revealed by BMW is a speed-pedelec, meaning it can reach speeds of 37mph, which currently exceeds nearly all the limits in every country across the world. BMW account for this by having the speed modifiable via an app allowing it to be dropped to local regulation speed.
BMW expanded on this idea by suggesting the introduction of a ‘geofencing’ system system which would automatically slow the bike depending on the area it is travelling in. We already see this technology in the electric scooter hire schemes such as Voi. It has been suggested that this geofencing idea will soon apply to cars. The BMW ‘eDrive’ system already using geofencing to switch it’s hybrids cars to ‘all electric’ mode when entering low emission zones.
This is a concept bike, intended as a creative and inspiring exercise and to encourage talk about introducing higher speed electric bikes into regulation. The bike comes equipped with a gigantic 2,000Wh battery which the company claims would manage 186 miles on a single charge while using pedal assist.
A model resembling something closer to an electric motorbike was also unveiled, which also claims to have the same range of 186 miles by using a 2,000Wh battery,