Austria: Vespa 50 electric conversions with prosimo
When a classic from the 70s glides quietly and smoothly through Upper Austria – and with real bite.
Jörg from Upper Austria loves his Vespa 50 Special. Built in 1978, registered in 1982, still without turn signals – a true piece of scooter history. But the joy of riding it had recently taken a turn for the worse: the carburetor kept leaking fuel, the Vespa It wouldn't start, the spark plug was faulty, the tank was leaking. Oil stains in the garage included.
Instead of giving up his beloved scooter, Jörg opted for a consistent solution: out with the combustion engine, in with the KIT Vespa Small Frame 45 km/h 1 battery from prosimo. And because he documented the conversion so thoroughly, we are allowed to share his experiences and tips with all prosimo fans: View PDF >>
Why electric?
"The conversion of an old Vespa Switching to an electric drive is certainly the most climate-friendly solution if you want to continue riding your beloved scooter – and can charge it with solar power.” That's how Jörg himself sums it up. No more oil, no carburetor, no spark plug. Instead, a quieter drive, great acceleration, and a clear conscience.
The kit: What's inside?
Jörg ordered the complete KIT Vespa SF 45 | 1 battery - consisting of:
- Swingarm with rear wheel (wheel hub motor)
- Control unit (controller)
- Throttle tube (handlebar) & throttle grip
- Mounting plates for the control unit
- Capacity indicator (battery charge level in % and volts)
- Charger
In addition, he recommends from his own experience to get a new Ignition lock and a new one Original wiring harness (an original combustion engine-Vespato order along with it. The old cables in a Vespa Wiring harnesses of this age are often brittle or fragmented – a new harness provides security.
Step 1: Removal of the combustion engine
The removal of the engine, tank, carburetor and the old swingarm went smoothly – according to Jörg, also for “VespaEven inexperienced users can easily do it. Important: Keep all screws and nuts. The speedometer, speedometer cable, and brake cable at the foot pedal were replaced because the old parts were defective.
Step 2: Install new swingarm & rear wheel
The new swingarm with integrated wheel hub motor is inserted through the hole in the frame using the long screw and secured. Tip: Use a bungee cord to pull the rear wheel forward – this makes wiring much easier.
Step 3: New wiring harness & cabling
The centerpiece of the renovation – and according to Jörg, the biggest challenge. Some of his best tips at a glance:
- Pull the new wiring harness through the steering column using the old clutch cable (which is no longer needed) – the speedometer opening serves as the feedthrough.
- Connect the cables in the handlebar head according to color; secure all black cables (ground) together with a screw on the handlebar head.
- Run the “E-Lock” cable (pink) from the brake pedal to the ignition lock using an extra organized cable.
- No turn signals present? Simply strip all the orange wires – this greatly simplifies the wiring.
- Protect the cable entry point to the control unit with the supplied plastic edge protector.
Step 4: Ignition switch & capacity indicator
Jörg installed the new ignition switch in a space-saving manner below the "Joker" (at the front of the bodywork) – this required drilling a hole. Important: drill slowly and carefully, otherwise the paint will chip. The old ignition switch on the handlebars was retained for aesthetic reasons, but now serves only a decorative function.
For the capacity indicator, the threaded dome of the old light switch on the handlebars was drilled out (the cast material is very soft) – that's where the indicator finds its new place.
Step 5: Insert battery & stow charger
The battery sits conveniently under the seat and can be easily removed using a carrying strap – or charged directly in the vehicle via the special connector. Jörg recommends placing a foamed plastic sheet in the battery tray to protect it from vibrations.
The charger is located on the side in the Vespa It just barely fits in its space. Convenient: This means you can easily take it along on longer trips.
Type approval and registration in Austria: no problem
The re-registration to electric drive at Office of the Upper Austrian Provincial Government The event in Linz went smoothly. prosimo VE SF Kit 45 (Article No. VE-SF-45-TL) with 3 kW rated power and 45 km/h maximum speed has been officially approved and registered.
Important tip: The chassis number must be clearly visible and free of paint during inspection! At Jörg's Vespa It was buried under layers of paint – only after it was uncovered did everything go smoothly.
"The conversion and registration at the vehicle registration office was quite easy – the Vespa It's quiet, has real bite, and charges quickly. Prosimo always helped quickly with any questions that arose.
— Jörg, Upper Austria
Conclusion: A classic reinvented
A scooter over 40 years old, transformed into a quiet, clean, and practical electric vehicle – officially registered in Austria. Jörg's project shows that the conversion is possible even without... VespaPrior knowledge is quite manageable if you take your time, read the instructions carefully, and simply ask if you have any questions.
Thank you so much, Jörg, for the detailed documentation and the great feedback! 🛵
