Long Distance Riding Tips for CE-04 owners

[triangletom]

For those of y'all who are using the BMW CE-04 for longer (>70mi/120km) trips, I'd love to hear your tips!

While I haven't yet embarked on a multi-state journey in the CE04, I have done 3 cross-country trips in EV's, so here are my tips so far:

- https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ is an amazing tool for planning routes that require multiple charges. The BMW CE-04 isn't natively supported as a vehicle type yet, you can vote to get it added here: https://abrp.upvoty.com/b/add-a-vehicle/ - in the meantime, you can use the "Zero SDS ZF 7.2 + PT" model and set the reference consumption to 200 Wh/mi @ 65mph for a pretty close approximation to the CE 04.

- https://www.plugshare.com/ is useful for fact-checking individual chargers. It'll let you know how likely they are to be busted or busy. It also shows people who have listed their home chargers, though typically only for emergencies. Don't forget that most RV parks can also serve as chargers!

- Earplugs. The sound of the roaring wind is not worth losing your hearing over.

These last 3 tips are suited for American CE-04 owners, as high-power charging is complicated as hell here:

- I've been able to charge at every AirBNB or vacation rental I've stayed at. Most have outdoor plugs, and some even have 220V for RV's, which brings me to:

- Consider bringing along a TeslaTap MINI, which is a small J1772 adapter that allows you to charge the CE 04 at Tesla destination & home chargers (AC). It does not work at Supercharger stations as the CE-04 does not support DC fast charging. This unlocks another 10-15% more charging options - which you can find on https://www.tesla.com/findus or ABRP & Plugshare.

- If you are already traveling with a Tesla->J1772 adapter, consider packing a Tesla Mobile Connector ($230) instead of the BMW charging cord. It comes with adapters for 220V (14-50) and 110, and on 220V you can charge the CE-04 6X faster than the BMW USA cord at RV parks, people's houses, or unused food truck locations. It's also 4ft longer, which helps for trickier home charging situations. Having the ability to charge at 220V sockets will also unlock another 10-15% of charging options.

 

[SeaE04]

This is probably my favorite thread so far. Thank you very much for taking the time to post this. I plan on some multi-day longer range scooter camping trips next year so please keep compiling more tips and recommendations.

 

[GreggWilliams]

For those of y'all who are using the BMW CE-04 for longer (>70mi/120km) trips, I'd love to hear your tips!

While I haven't yet embarked on a multi-state journey in the CE04, I have done 3 cross-country trips in EV's, so here are my tips so far:

- https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ is an amazing tool for planning routes that require multiple charges. The BMW CE-04 isn't natively supported as a vehicle type yet, you can vote to get it added here: https://abrp.upvoty.com/b/add-a-vehicle/ - in the meantime, you can use the "Zero SDS ZF 7.2 + PT" model and set the reference consumption to 200 Wh/mi @ 65mph for a pretty close approximation to the CE 04.

- https://www.plugshare.com/ is useful for fact-checking individual chargers. It'll let you know how likely they are to be busted or busy. It also shows people who have listed their home chargers, though typically only for emergencies. Don't forget that most RV parks can also serve as chargers!

- Earplugs. The sound of the roaring wind is not worth losing your hearing over.

These last 3 tips are suited for American CE-04 owners, as high-power charging is complicated as hell here:

- I've been able to charge at every AirBNB or vacation rental I've stayed at. Most have outdoor plugs, and some even have 220V for RV's, which brings me to:

- Consider bringing along a TeslaTap MINI, which is a small J1772 adapter that allows you to charge the CE 04 at Tesla destination & home chargers (AC). It does not work at Supercharger stations as the CE-04 does not support DC fast charging. This unlocks another 10-15% more charging options - which you can find on https://www.tesla.com/findus or ABRP & Plugshare.

- If you are already traveling with a Tesla->J1772 adapter, consider packing a Tesla Mobile Connector ($230) instead of the BMW charging cord. It comes with adapters for 220V (14-50) and 110, and on 220V you can charge the CE-04 6X faster than the BMW USA cord at RV parks, people's houses, or unused food truck locations. It's also 4ft longer, which helps for trickier home charging situations. Having the ability to charge at 220V sockets will also unlock another 10-15% of charging options.

Terrific work. I purchased a J1772 adapter on Amazo, but only used it at home with my Tesla charger. Ive used chargepoint 2X. but it’s a slower rate.

 

[rongrimes]

Something like this is probably your best option for long trips with an electric scooter.

 

[SeaE04]

It's interesting you post that photo Ron. Months ago, I asked in another thread about the viability of hitch haulers for the CE 04 given its wheelbase and weight. I have a RAM 1500 that I'd far rather preserve the truck bed for camping gear and hitch haul the scooter. However, most responses suggested the weight makes the hitch approach sketchy. While I don't want to take unnecessary risks with the CE 04, if I knew a hitch hauler would be safe, I'd absolutely go that route. Seems like the electric scooter throttle and reverse would trivialize load and unload...

 

[lt_fukai]

One of my dream trips is to head about 80 miles uphill to Tahoe; that being almost exactly right on range is one of those things that really got me into this bike. Sadly the range is nowhere near that in those conditions and I'm too timid to attempt it with the sparse stops that I know of up that way. If I ever make it, I'll have to report in

 

[SeaE04]

Don't let that discourage you or stop your dreams! Chargers en route typically work and bring your cable on the off chance they all don't. You'll find 110 somewhere in a pinch and leave with a good story. In a world of GrubHub and Netflix, live a little by applying a little strategy to a little bit of unknown... I promise you'll come back with a story to tell and even more confidence for the next one.

 

[M_GIANELLI]

For those of y'all who are using the BMW CE-04 for longer (>70mi/120km) trips, I'd love to hear your tips!

While I haven't yet embarked on a multi-state journey in the CE04, I have done 3 cross-country trips in EV's, so here are my tips so far:

- https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ is an amazing tool for planning routes that require multiple charges. The BMW CE-04 isn't natively supported as a vehicle type yet, you can vote to get it added here: https://abrp.upvoty.com/b/add-a-vehicle/ - in the meantime, you can use the "Zero SDS ZF 7.2 + PT" model and set the reference consumption to 200 Wh/mi @ 65mph for a pretty close approximation to the CE 04.

- https://www.plugshare.com/ is useful for fact-checking individual chargers. It'll let you know how likely they are to be busted or busy. It also shows people who have listed their home chargers, though typically only for emergencies. Don't forget that most RV parks can also serve as chargers!

- Earplugs. The sound of the roaring wind is not worth losing your hearing over.

These last 3 tips are suited for American CE-04 owners, as high-power charging is complicated as hell here:

- I've been able to charge at every AirBNB or vacation rental I've stayed at. Most have outdoor plugs, and some even have 220V for RV's, which brings me to:

- Consider bringing along a TeslaTap MINI, which is a small J1772 adapter that allows you to charge the CE 04 at Tesla destination & home chargers (AC). It does not work at Supercharger stations as the CE-04 does not support DC fast charging. This unlocks another 10-15% more charging options - which you can find on https://www.tesla.com/findus or ABRP & Plugshare.

- If you are already traveling with a Tesla->J1772 adapter, consider packing a Tesla Mobile Connector ($230) instead of the BMW charging cord. It comes with adapters for 220V (14-50) and 110, and on 220V you can charge the CE-04 6X faster than the BMW USA cord at RV parks, people's houses, or unused food truck locations. It's also 4ft longer, which helps for trickier home charging situations. Having the ability to charge at 220V sockets will also unlock another 10-15% of charging options.

planning routes that require multiple charges

I have found an app including the CE-04 in the plane router: PUMP

For those of y'all who are using the BMW CE-04 for longer (>70mi/120km) trips, I'd love to hear your tips!

While I haven't yet embarked on a multi-state journey in the CE04, I have done 3 cross-country trips in EV's, so here are my tips so far:

- https://abetterrouteplanner.com/ is an amazing tool for planning routes that require multiple charges. The BMW CE-04 isn't natively supported as a vehicle type yet, you can vote to get it added here: https://abrp.upvoty.com/b/add-a-vehicle/ - in the meantime, you can use the "Zero SDS ZF 7.2 + PT" model and set the reference consumption to 200 Wh/mi @ 65mph for a pretty close approximation to the CE 04.

- https://www.plugshare.com/ is useful for fact-checking individual chargers. It'll let you know how likely they are to be busted or busy. It also shows people who have listed their home chargers, though typically only for emergencies. Don't forget that most RV parks can also serve as chargers!

- Earplugs. The sound of the roaring wind is not worth losing your hearing over.

These last 3 tips are suited for American CE-04 owners, as high-power charging is complicated as hell here:

- I've been able to charge at every AirBNB or vacation rental I've stayed at. Most have outdoor plugs, and some even have 220V for RV's, which brings me to:

- Consider bringing along a TeslaTap MINI, which is a small J1772 adapter that allows you to charge the CE 04 at Tesla destination & home chargers (AC). It does not work at Supercharger stations as the CE-04 does not support DC fast charging. This unlocks another 10-15% more charging options - which you can find on https://www.tesla.com/findus or ABRP & Plugshare.

- If you are already traveling with a Tesla->J1772 adapter, consider packing a Tesla Mobile Connector ($230) instead of the BMW charging cord. It comes with adapters for 220V (14-50) and 110, and on 220V you can charge the CE-04 6X faster than the BMW USA cord at RV parks, people's houses, or unused food truck locations. It's also 4ft longer, which helps for trickier home charging situations. Having the ability to charge at 220V sockets will also unlock another 10-15% of charging options.

For planning long distance route with multiple charge, give a chance to PUMP: it's an app for IOS including BMW Ce-04 as a vehicle of a choice