Testimonial: After 40,000 km on an electric scooter, Victor still doesn’t want to go back to a gasoline-powered one

Victor swapped his Kawasaki Ninja 300 for a used BMW C Evolution a few years ago. After riding daily on the Paris ring road, he moved to Loire-Atlantique, where he continues to explore the region alone or with a partner on his electric maxi-scooter. This is the testimony of a convinced rider who has already traveled over 40,000 kilometers and plans to cover just as many more.

A Biker Convinced by Electric Vehicles

Having been into two-wheelers since he was 15, Victor started with a 50 cm³ bike before moving on to a motorcycle at 20. He long appreciated the sporty aspects of the Kawasaki Ninja 300, but had been eyeing electric bikes for some time. “I became interested in this technology back in 2016, due to reasons related to energy efficiency, autonomy, and environmental concerns,” he explains. He even convinced his father to buy a Renault Zoé in 2017, which he often borrows and likes the driving experience of.

Tired of paying exorbitant parking fees for his gasoline bike in Paris, as well as the noise from the engine, he quickly turned to BMW. “The C Evolution was the only electric scooter that seemed viable to me, capable of competing with a motorcycle in terms of performance and riding feel,” he notes.

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A well-thought-out used car purchase

Victor first tried the French scooter Eccity, but he wasn’t convinced: “Too small, not secure enough.” He then turned to the BMW C Evolution, which he liked for its durability and performance. However, with a new price of 15,000 €, the investment was a bit too high, so he turned to the used market and found one at FCGE in Boulogne-Billancourt, a dealership specializing in C Evolutions. “It had 30,000 km on the odometer and still cost nearly 10,000 €,” he recalls with a hint of bitterness, even though it’s already been well used—he’s driven 40,000 km since 2022! “My electric scooter will turn 10 years old this year, and everything is working well. I’m signing on for another ten years!”

A versatile use, from daily commuting to road trips

Four years ago, Victor lived in the Parisian region where he worked… in the field of electric mobility! “Just for context, I have a background in real estate, but I switched to working in electric mobility largely thanks to Automobile Propre! I started reading your content around 2014-2015, and it gave me a solid understanding of the subject that helped me get hired by Qovoltis, and later at SIPLEC of Leclerc (which manages the group’s energy supply), where I still work today.”

At that time, Victor used his C-Evolution for commuting between home and work as well as on holidays. Since then, he has settled in Loire-Atlantique where he works from home. But there’s no way he’ll put the electric scooter away: he uses it for weekends and road trips. He has already traveled across France, from Paris to Alès, passing through Creuse, the Massif Central, Aubrac, and the Cévennes. “I like taking secondary roads to see more of the country. That’s the advantage of a road trip: you avoid the highways and see things in a different way.”

Compromises are needed regarding range and charging

The range of the C Evolution varies depending on usage. Alone, Victor can travel up to 150 km while driving smoothly. But with two passengers on the highway at 130 km/h, the range drops to 80 km. “There’s a big difference between calm driving and sporty driving, just like with an electric car,” he notes.

When it comes to charging, he has adapted. In Paris, he used Belib’ chargers or public ones that he could easily find through Chargemap, and he charged for free at his workplace. Now, he charges at home with a subscription costing 14 cents per kWh. It gets complicated when on the road, but with a bit of planning, it’s doable. “I spend the night in campsites or hotels that have chargers so I can charge while sleeping, and during the day, I find ways to stop in towns with historical sites and good restaurants…” With a 3.5-hour charge time, he can take his time dining!

Comfort, Performance, and Savings

Victor is full of praise for his C Evolution, particularly praising its comfort and handling. “It drives very well, though one has to be careful in the city due to the lack of noise. Pedestrians don’t always watch out!” he adds.

Acceleration is another strength: “0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds, just like my Ninja 300! The instant torque makes quick starts very dynamic.” Regarding cost, Victor is delighted: “It has good range, almost no noise or vibrations, so trips are much less tiring, and it’s not expensive to use. I’ve driven 40,000 km and estimate I’ve saved 5,000 euros compared to a gasoline vehicle. Plus, electricity is French, which is better than oil that comes from the other side of the world.”

The purchase price is still too high and range is limited.

Despite its advantages, the C Evolution certainly has some drawbacks. As mentioned, charging is slow, and range is limited on highways. The scooter’s weight can be seen as both an asset and a disadvantage: “Whereas some electric scooters are a bit too fragile, the C Evolution is stable and robust, giving you a sense of safety. On the other hand, 300 kg is heavy to handle. If it falls, getting it back up will be a real hassle!”

Finally, the purchase price remains high, especially when new, although Victor notes that “these days, it’s not that much different from the price of a TMAX.”

And of course, when it comes to old motorcycles, the equipment tends to be a bit outdated. This 2017 model doesn’t have a central lock or an integrated smartphone connection. But Victor made some modifications to modernize the C Evolution: he added a remote-controlled trunk opening, an alarm, a phone holder, a top case, and heated saddles. “Since I want it to keep running for 15-20 years, I go all out to ensure it lasts!”

The maintenance has been generally satisfactory.

The beginning was a bit chaotic, as the IML (Integrated Loading Module) of the C Evolution burned out after less than a year. This module, which manages battery recharging, costs nearly 3,000 € to replace, but fortunately the manufacturer covered the repair cost. “I don’t regret going through a BMW dealer because covering such a high expense would have been really difficult,” he says.

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Since then, everything has been working very well, although maintenance is a bit more inconvenient now that he lives in Loire-Atlantique: “The nearest garage is an hour’s drive away. By the time you get there, the scooter is almost empty, so you have to wait on site.” Despite this, he has never had any other technical problems.

For Victor, the future is electric

Victor keeps a close eye on developments in electric two-wheelers, but he doesn’t see anything comparable to the C Evolution, aside from perhaps Zero Motorcycles’ models. His attachment to this scooter goes beyond mere user satisfaction; it’s also a matter of conviction.

“I firmly believe in electric vehicles, not just for two-wheelers. I’m thrilled to be part of this transition,” he explains enthusiastically. His experience with the C Evolution has reinforced this belief: “It’s a scooter that proves electric vehicles can be high-performing, reliable, and enjoyable to ride every day. And even though charging takes some time, it’s a compromise I’m willing to make for cleaner commuting.”