Electric Vespa Tuk Tuk (Piaggio Ape)

[bernietime]

I am Converting my Piaggio Ape (which is the parent company of Vespa) to electric! Check out my youtube video for some walk arounds and to see my design.

This is the beginning of my electric conversion of a 1968 Piaggio Ape. The Ape (pronounce "ah-pay") started its life as a two-stroke, gas-powered cargo carrier. It traveled from Italy to Thailand where it was "restored". A bad restoration in the Vespa world is called a "Bodge". This is a bodge 100%.
So I feel no sympathy for tearing it apart and making it electric!
Parts used on this build so far:

Hub Motors: 48v 1.5 KW Scooter Hub Motor - Golden Motor North America - Canada & United States

72v Motor Controller: https://www.amazon.com/YIYIBYUS-Speed

 

[dpstah]

Very cool project! Interested in hearing your thought process on the trade-off between selling the engine vs. keeping in case someone wants to convert back to gas someday. My inclination would be to sell the gas engine after my EV conversion is done (more about not wanting to devote storage space to an engine of questionable function than cost, but it still helps) but I’m curious about how that may affect long term value.

 

[SlowCo]

Nice project. But why the much smaller track width? Makes it less stable and easier to tip over in corners.