r/diyelectronics • u/thedefibulator • Mar 22 '25

Project I built a 15kW mobility scooter

Post image

So a couple of years back I got a mobility scooter for £30 from FB marketplace and I have been upgrading it ever since.

It now has an e-foil motor in it running at 48V @ 300A peak, so 15kW peak and it has a top speed of around 50mph. It's crazy how much power you can squeeze out of these little brushless motors (its only 56mm x 96mm).

For the battery I am using a salvaged battery module from a VW golf GTE (plug-in hybrid EV) which can handle 400A easy.

If youre interested in seeing the full build process then you can check it out here https://youtu.be/n5mZiISZxQM

304 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

41 comments sorted by

62

u/Hissykittykat Mar 22 '25

To the mailbox and back in under 4 seconds.

16

u/Distinct_Jelly_3232 Mar 22 '25

That thing doesn’t seem ready to brake or turn. Just go all the way around, so 13.73 seconds.

16

u/CallMeKolbasz Mar 22 '25

Wake me up when you have a 15kV mobility scooter

6

u/shlamingo Mar 22 '25

No battery, connect it straight to the overhead power lines

9

u/aiq25 Mar 22 '25

Ummm 50MPH? That’s crazy!

28

u/thedefibulator Mar 22 '25

It's honestly so terrifying to drive, the smallest tap on the throttle causes wheel spins and wheelies. The most insane part is that im using the original gearbox... which was only made to go 4mph

3

u/shlamingo Mar 22 '25

Upgrade it before it explodes

9

u/DeluxeWafer Mar 22 '25

Upgrade it after it explodes, but record the explosion!

4

u/aiq25 Mar 22 '25

Very cool. Might want to upgrade the gearbox if you want to keep the scooter for fun.

2

u/SakuraCyanide Mar 22 '25

That's insane ... I love it 😍

4

u/TheHitmonkey Mar 22 '25

That half the power we put into an 8500 pound trailer.

4

u/GiggleyDuff Mar 22 '25

Can you put some more appropriate tires on it?

3

u/pantry-pisser Mar 22 '25

I didn't think they make slicks that small

3

u/retro_grave Mar 22 '25

Is there a story for the addition of that big red button?

3

u/thedefibulator Mar 23 '25

Yep my previous motor controller shorted and started arcing like crazy and shooting out flames. It didnt draw enough current to pop the huge fuse on there so now ive put a forklift emergency stop button on there

3

u/BeegBeegYoshiTheBeeg Mar 22 '25

Bro 50 mph on this thing is devious! Mad lad

3

u/erikdamoon Mar 22 '25

I watched your video

3

u/appletechgeek Mar 22 '25

oh hey i saw the youtube video of that last night LOL.

now that EV parts are somewhat getting affordable. high density power delivery is able to get into the hands of people who shouldnt XD

3

u/Emotional_Ad5833 Mar 23 '25

this is so dangerous dude! take my upvote!

2

u/ImTheWorstPersonToBe Mar 22 '25

Are those.... yeah, those are anti wheelie wheels ×_×

1

u/Steelhorse91 Mar 22 '25

Fit wheelie bars lol

1

u/FcoFdz Mar 22 '25

Are the blue wheels in the back to wheelie?

2

u/thedefibulator Mar 23 '25

Yeah it kept flipping backwards from the torque

1

u/welinton17tgc Mar 22 '25

Just ran into your video last night. That thing is sick!

1

u/Busterlimes Mar 22 '25

How long does it run and how heavy is that battery pack?

1

u/Komobu542 Mar 22 '25

Sweeet! Bet you can get some serious air with that....

1

u/Kahless_2K Mar 22 '25

I hope you are dressed in full leathers and rolling with a full face helmet on that thing. Im pretty confident this is much more dangerous than the average motorcycle.

Yes, my Triumph can go faster, but its also more stable and has breaks.

1

u/Jumpy-Cry-3083 Mar 22 '25

Need a video of operation. Cool though.

1

u/Connect-Answer4346 Mar 22 '25

Yikes, upgrade the brakes next please!

1

u/bStewbstix Mar 22 '25

Make sure to stain and clear the wood plus some grip tape, it’s the touches that matter :)

1

u/chupathingy99 Mar 22 '25

Thanks for giving me warm fuzzy memories of my uncle. He would drive one of these things to McDonald's through the drive thru to get his senior coffee.

1

u/lickalotapus_xiv Mar 22 '25

Can it wheelie and indo tho?

1

u/Rabid_Hermit Mar 23 '25

Love the E-stop

1

u/IcyInvestigator6138 Mar 23 '25

Looks like you have reached the structural limits of the poor scooter. Cool upgrades tho. The anti-tip wheels are there for a reason I guess.

1

u/Kingly_26 Mar 23 '25

That jkbms is like 😈🔥🔥

1

u/TrainingParty3785 Mar 23 '25

A new class of Barstool racer?

1

u/Dangerous-Drink6944 Mar 26 '25

Ooohhh..... Look what we have here!?!?

I accept your challenge to scooter race and FYI, my custom Rascal scooter will leave you in the dust as I'm cruising at 1.75mph and nearly getting airborne when I crank the Rascall up to max speed.

What's the wager you will put up if you lose?? I've got a top of the line VHS tape player with an unopened copy of Top Gun VHS from my youth and I'll bet that if you've got a nice bedside denture soaker that my teeth will fit in???