vintage vespa becomes electric scooter using retrokit
Retrokit converts a gas-powered, vintage Vespa into a modern electric scooter with three riding modes. Dubbed the first retrofit kit approved for road use, the conversion kit can get the gas-powered Vespa electric scooter ready in around four hours. It equips the classic ride with a 2.3 kWh lithium-ion battery that riders can recharge anywhere using the included charger. The electrified ride can achieve a full battery charge in around four hours.
Motoveloci, the team behind Retrokit, says that no changes and modifications occur in the Vespa when they transform it into an electric scooter. The chassis and classic bodywork of the recognizable ride remain the same and untouched. They aim to just remove the gas engine of the scooter and replace it with a modern electric motor. The conversion takes place in Italy, and the design team sources all the materials around Europe. Motoveloci brings the electric scooter kit to Motor Bike Expo 2025 in Verona, Italy between January 24th and 26th, 2025.
all images courtesy of Retrokit Italia
Eco, Drive, and Sport riding modes after conversion
So far, the Retrokit can also give the vintage Vespa three riding modes when it becomes an electric scooter. These include Eco, Drive, and Sport. The former reduces the energy consumption for a longer ride. The latter revs up the power to a maximum. The Drive mode balances the two, which is ideal for everyday commutes or cruising. For specs buffs, 7 kW is the maximum power of the electric scooter once Retrokit is in place.
It can also achieve 80 kilometers of speed in total, which also includes the regenerative braking and autonomy in cruising. The Retrokit comes in a DIY assembly box. If the riders are handy people, they may be able to convert their gas-powered Vespa into an electric scooter by themselves. The kit is complete with instructions, certifications, and homologation. They can also ask for help with the installation and do so by bringing Retrokit and their Vespa to their nearest (electric) scooter and motorcycle workshops and repair stations.
Retrokit converts a gas-powered, vintage Vespa into a modern electric scooter
the conversion can take around four hours
view of the tools and equipment in the kit
a 2.3 kWh lithium-ion battery is on board
the battery is under the seat
no changes and modifications occur in the Vespa bodywork
the chassis and classic bodywork of the recognizable ride remain the same
in fact, the front headlamp remains untouched during the conversion
Eco, Drive, and Sport riding modes after conversion
