Achieving Sustainable Urban Mobility Through Retrofitting Two-Wheeler Vehicles
摘要
Since the world population continues to rise, it leads to an increase in the demand for two-wheeler motorcycles and scooters. Every year, the rate of waste and pollution continues to increase due to the manufacturing and scrapping of millions of these two-wheeler vehicles. These challenges can be overcome by converting the existing two-wheelers to electric two-wheelers, as it only involves removing the engine and fitting a battery, which can extend the life of the two-wheeler and, as a result, waste and pollution can be greatly reduced. The purpose of this book chapter is to address these concerns by focusing on retrofitting the iconic Italian Vespa Scooter from a 2-stroke engine to electric, without altering its classic design. Most Italian Vespa Scooters have been discarded owing to low fuel efficiency and noncompliance with pollution rules. During the retrofitting process, we designed the Custom Swing Arm (CSA) for the rear wheel, as the removal of the engine left the rear wheel unsupported due to the engine’s integrated swing arm design. The fuel tank space was used for an Electric Power Unit (EPU), housing components such as a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery, Battery Management System (BMS), Motor Controller (MC), DC-DC Converter (DCDC), and Circuit Breaker (CB). This study explores the technical challenges, including passive cooling and component placement with proper weight distribution, while highlighting the environmental and economic benefits of retrofitting. This retrofitting approach supports global efforts for cleaner and more sustainable urban transportation.