I want to build an electric scooter conversion. Scooter as in Vespa, not Razor. This isn't something I've extensively researched, just an hour or two of googling, so forgive me for the dumb questions. Also sorry if this isn't the best sub.Basically I want a scooter that:a) Has a top speed in the low 40s for keeping up with city traffic. I could live with mid 30sb) Has a range of 10 miles or so to start out with, but can be easily upgraded to 60-70 miles when I have the money for more/better batteries.I'm a carless electrical engineering student, so this is partly as a fun/educational/resume-fluffing project, and partly because I need a vehicle. Cost is a concern. I will be using it as a daily driver. I should specify I'm a third semester electrical engineering students, still taking gen ed classes, so I don't really know shit about building an electric vehicle. But I'm willing to learn what I need to, since I'm sure I'll have to learn it in school anyways.Questions:For one, is a 60 mile range, 40mph top speed achievable?Two, how should I do the batteries? I was thinking having lead-acids to start out with, and upgrading them to LiPos down the line for the extra capacity. Can I get 6 times the range out of LiPos in a similar weight/size? Will it be easy to install them, without having to change other components? Once again, I don't understand much about the electrical stuff.Three, what kind of frame should I be looking at? I've read the way to go is buying a bike and ripping out the ICE related stuff, that way it can be registered as that bike for insurance purposes rather than as a home-built vehicle. What should I look for in my donor bike? I'm also open to using a motorcycle frame, but I figured that would be heavier.Four, what general things should I learn/research before starting this or deciding for certain if I even want to do it?Thanks for your time. via /r/DIY http://ift.tt/2ozahE5
