Convert (250cc) scooter to electric?

[andsetinn]

Please, don't shoot me yet. I come in peace.

So the story is that Amsterdam city has banned all scooters from before 2012, on grounds of pollution. All traffic of Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles has also been banned, with regulation that comes into effect in 2030. Although, this being very political issue, that might be a moving target. I work in Amsterdam, so I travel into the city every day. Currently mostly on the Suzuki motorcycle that replaced my old Kymco scooter. One of my coworkers has a nice looking Honda Helix CN250 that she has decided to sell because of the ban. I like the weird looks of it. As I was looking at it in the parking lot outside the offices today I got the stupid idea of buying it, and converting it to electric. It should not be too hard,,, is it?

I've been doing some Googling and found nearly nothing useable. It looks like my idea was not as good as I thought. There are lot of small scooter kits, 1500 watts or so, but nothing I like. Is anyone on this forum who has some knowledge of nice conversions? My aim would be 7-10 Kilowatt (10-15 hp) motor, with or without using the original CVT and axle, using maybe 5-7 LiFePo4 (I'm not sure about these batteries but the size and price fit) batteries for up to 60 mile range, at up to 60 mph.

This is one solution I found that looks similar to what I had in mind, but I'd like more power and lower cost www.retrospectivescooters.com/.
I was also thinking front and rear 3-4 Kilowatt in-wheel motors could be doable. More expensive, and limited in some ways, but should be more reliable.

[geoffh]

I can hear where your coming from,but it just seems technically unpractical,the electric scoots available now seem a more attractive thought ,maybe stripped down and restyled to retro look,it,s a while off yet for us Europeans to benefit from China,s mass market but I read that 22.7 million electric scoots rolled out last year,I,d plump for that NIU NGT £3196,stripped back derestricted it would cover my 10mile commute with some oomph.Or just wait till tessla unvail their master plan for 2 wheel transport

Geoff

[Lucass2T]

I say it now and will keep saying it. Once you find a way to build an electric vespa with a somewhat decent range, theres golden mountains ahead of you...at least here in Holland.

In the meantime i'll keep dreaming and polluting the neighborhood with my 2t's.

[andsetinn]

I think you're right, it's not the smartest idea I've had. A new Niu N-GT would certainly be cheaper and much more reliable than any homebrew I could come up with. On the minus side I sat on a Niu at a motorcycle show last year and I don't fit properly on it. It's also slower than the power range I was visualizing. I need to take the highway part of the way to work, or take a 15 minute detour.
I've probably been looking too much at the BMW C-Evolution, Vectrix VX1/VT1 and Čezeta Type 506 so I'm a bit stuck on those specs and was overlooking the Niu and similar.
I don't think Tesla will have much effect on the 2 wheel transport but the future will certainly be interesting.

[aeroxbud]

Jun 17, 2019 17:00:21 GMT -5 Lucass2T said:

I say it now and will keep saying it. Once you find a way to build an electric vespa with a somewhat decent range, theres golden mountains ahead of you...at least here in Holland.

In the meantime i'll keep dreaming and polluting the neighborhood with my 2t's.

Vespa are already in the electric game. www.thebikemarket.co.uk/vespa/elettrica
With all electric bikes at the moment though, it's not quite there price versus practicality

[milly]

There was a chap in Germany converting vespa px models to electric a while ago will see if can find video and post it on here after work.

[jackrides]

Pics and specs look good. Value?

[SMALL CC TEK]

Kymco , Vespa and a bunch of smaller company's are already producing scooter with suitable range ,the price is always the limiting factor in my opinion . If i was the GM at Zero i would start pressing for a electric scooter to go along with the motorcycle line it's a easy fit for them plus they are in a lot of dealers around the world already..

I Seriously think you could open a all electric motorcycle, scooter, bicycle store in my area and have a good business ,the time is right for it people are accepting of the concept unlike 10 years ago when i had electrics and people said "what i that" lol

You have a lot of options for a conversion in the market and the Helix/ aka the couch in the US has a lot of room for battery's lol

[andsetinn]

Unfortunately the lady is firmly convinced that she is sitting on a highly valuable museum piece. I found one on The Marketplace. Low mileage, running good, looks bad. I would have prefered one that looks good but has a blown engine. So unless something pops up, this project is shelved before it begins.

I did find this. Car hub motor that's designed to fit inside a wheel. 8 kw nominal with 16 kw peak. Max speed around 70 mph with 13 inch tire at 72 volts. Price for complete kit, including all but batteries, comes to just over 1000 dollars, including shipping from China. Once I got the search terms right I found plenty of options.


For twice that amount I could buy a brand new CSC City Slicker.

[SMALL CC TEK]

Man nice motor how much is the control unit electronics for it ?  Can you get Kymco's  if so look at the Ionex   1,400 /1600  Us