BMW has semi-embraced micromobility. The German car manufacturer this week unveiled designs for two new vehicles – an e-scooter and an e-cargo bike (technically an e-cargo trike) – but will not produce them itself. The firm says it could instead licence them to other manufacturers.
The BMW Group has already developed one e-scooter, the Motorrad X2City, and – alongside Brose – the ActiveHybrid e-bike.
The two new vehicles are just concepts really – but ones the firm has put a bit of work into.
The Dynamic Cargo bike is a compact, three-wheeler.
Taking issue with many of the cargo bikes that are currently on the market on the grounds that they’re wider and longer than normal bicycles, BMW say theirs is a vehicle that retains the ride feel of a normal bike.
The front main frame is connected to the rear section via a pivot axle and tilts for corners, while the rear section remains stable without tilting towards the road.
That rear section is a loading platform that can be fitted with a selection of modular attachments for carrying luggage and/or children…
… or even ghosts.
A modular system of weather protection would also be available to allow for year-round use.
The front-wheel drive Clever Commute, meanwhile, is pitched as, “an e-scooter that folds easily for carrying on public transport and/or by car without compromising on riding stability in any way.”
In ‘public transport mode’ the footboard folds up at the sides and the rear wheel pivots into the resulting aperture from below to shorten the wheelbase substantially.
It can also be rolled along on both wheels in this mode, kind of like a trolley case.
BMW being BMW, they emphasise that it also folds down small enough to fit in a car boot.
The firm says both concepts would have removable batteries and have been designed in such a way that the electric range can be scaled according to intended usage.
