Setting Goals for an EV Conversion

Vintage scooters are good candidates for EV conversions. Many are sitting as static displays or slowly deteriorating in sheds and barns. EV conversions can breathe new life into these vehicles and attract a new generation of riders to the hobby. As a converter of you’ll enjoy some benefits yourself:

1. Parts availability: Modern EV drivetrains are easy to source and customize and will work with your existing vintage bike.
2. Performance: An EV conversion can solve many of the poor performance issues that are holding you back from enjoying your scooter.
3. You can express your creative side or create a perfect restoration by building a “restomod” bike or completing something close to a full restoration- your choice.
4. You might learn something and feel good at the same time.

Decisions You Need to Make Before Starting Your EV Conversion:

Your first task is to set realistic goals for a conversion. These goals will drive your EV component selection:

Goal	Why
How far do you want to go?	Greater range = larger/ more powerful battery= greater cost
How fast do you want to go?	Faster = bigger motor and/or higher voltage, more powerful controller, potentially a different battery size or type (all equal more money!)
How important is original appearance?	You can make a bike that’s almost indistinguishable from an original (or not 😊)
How much space is available for components?	This will determine the types of batteries and location of components, as well as the range of your build

Examples of EV Conversion Goals

Here’s an example of the goals I had for my Heinkel car EV conversion:

1. I wanted the converted car to appear indistinguishable from a traditional Heinkel.
2. I wanted a reversible conversion with no bodywork alterations in case someone wanted to restore it to be “original” again.
3. I wanted a range of 40 miles (70km) at an average speed of 40mph, with the ability to go 55mph (90km/m) for a brief period.
4. I wanted modern acceleration.

I wanted to end up with a car that did not smell like exhaust, vibrate, or be so loud that I couldn’t talk to the passengers.

For the Bella I set up different goals because I wanted to travel greater distances than I would in my Kabine:

1. I wanted a range of at least 50 miles (80km) at an average speed of 40 mph (65km/h), with the ability to go 55mph (90km/m) for a brief period.
2. I wanted modern (but not insanely fast) acceleration.
3. I wanted the converted scooter to be “mostly traditional” looking with only a few hints of the new capabilities I envisioned.