Hi,
This is my first post here. I hope I won't be asking that 'same exact question you've seen ask hundreds of time by a newbie'.
Please correct me if any of my assumptions are wrong.
To ride an electric scooter (not a standup scooter) in an urban environment with a similar 'experience' to that of a 50cc gas scooter, you would need a model with an engine of about 2000w.
If it was to have an autonomy of 40-50km on flat terrain, and needed the lightest batteries available, what type of battery would you recommend? What would be their expected weight?
To get an experience similar to a 50cc moped you'd need around 60V (as evidenced by the XM-2000 / XM-3000 / Z-20 / Zapino etc.)
To get a range of around 40 - 50 km (25 to 30 miles) I'd guesstimate you'd need around 30Ah (I can't find my post where I tracked the energy used on the XM-2000).
The best battery to use is LiFePO4.
Thundersky do a 20Ah (weighs 0.75kg / 1.65lbs) and a 40Ah version (weighs 1.6kg / 3.5lbs).
Nominal voltage is 3.2V so you'd need 19 (for a pack voltage of 60.8V) or 20 (for a 64V pack).
19x20Ah would weigh 14.25kg
20x20Ah would weigh 15kg
19x40Ah would weigh 30.4kg
20x40Ah would weigh = 32kg
Hope this helps.
John H. Founder of Current Motor Company - opinions on this site belong to me; not to my employer
Remember: " 'lectric for local. diesel for distance" - JTH, Amp Bros || "No Gas.
to get 40km you need 30AH usable at 60v (20 cells)
for TS cells, that means 40AH cells.
by 50cc performance, are you refering to top speed or acceleration?
60v on a emax will get you 65kmh really reliably and 70kmh in good conditions.
increasing the current limit to 125A will give you acceleration well above that of a 50cc scooter, at speeds below 50kmh.
if you are after a top speed similar to that of a unrestricteed moped 50cc moped, then you would be better off looking at the 3000w+ scooters.
based on reports of others, these can do 80kmh, which is around the reliable top speed of a 50cc moped.
Matt
Daily Ride:
2007 Vectrix, modified with 42 x Thundersky 60Ah in July 2010. Done 194'000km
Thank you for your precise and detailed answer guys!!
I am doing the evaluation of a larger project about commuting in an urban environment.