The Performance of Electric Vehicles Converted from Combustion
Motorcycles
I Wayan Jondra, I G. A. M. Sunaya, I G. P. Arka, I Ketut Parti, I Wayan Sudiartha
and I Gede Suputra Widharma
Electrical Department, Politeknik Negeri Bali, Bukit Jimbaran, Badung, Indonesia
Keywords: Electric, Vehicle, Green, Convert.
Abstract: In this modern era, the availability of fossil energy is decreased but the pollution is increasing. Solving these
problems is very important to increase of clean and green energy consumption, such as electric vehicles.
Currently people are increasingly interested in electric vehicles, if this continues to grow used motorcycles
will accumulate, so they need to be reused by converting them into electric motorcycles. This research is a
descriptive quantitative study that discusses the calculation of the conversion process of a Yamaha LS3
combustion motorcycle into an electric motorcycle and observes its performance. This study resulted in
converting a Yamaha LS3 motorcycle into an electric motorcycle by installing a 2,000 watts BLDC motor
supported by a 4,800 watts controller and a 72 Volt 20 Ah battery. The performance of the converted
motorcycle shows that the maximum speed is 54 Km/h, with an average Total load of 131 Kg, an average
speed of 31.7 Km/h, a mileage of 3.43 km for an energy allotment of 100 watts hours. with a level of energy
consumption reaching 29.27 watt hours/kilo meter. Utilization of used combustion motorcycles and
converting them into electric motorcycles needs to be continuously developed.
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Problems Background
In this era of globalization, the need for electrical
resources has become a primary need for every
human being in the world (Hirsh and Koomey, 2015).
Electricity actually has a very important role to
support every human activity, including supporting
the economy, especially tourism industry in Bali. The
modern era need high technology to solve the current
problems and future. The declining of fossil fuels
availability is a major problem today. The growth of
fossil fuels consumption will leave reserves only for
next five decades. The unwanted climate change is
the nature's warning to stop fossil fuels consumption.
The best alternative for mobility & transportation is
an green electric motorcycle.
Now day the electrical energy for transportation
facilities has begun to be interested by the
community. Electric vehicle is used for private and
public transportation. The electricity vehiclefor
transportation facilities is in line with to the Bali State
Polytechnic as a centre of excellence for green
tourism technology. The electric vehicle is the great
choice because it does not cause noise pollution, low
operating costs, and light vehicles (
Mutyala and Tech,
2019). The increase of electric vehicle use, it can
decrease the pollution, costs, and road damage
because electric vehicle is lighter (Katoch and Rahul,
2019).
Now day the combustion engines vehicle have
begun to be abandoned. The designs to get cheap
batteries, small dimensions, light weight, with large
capacities continue to be developed, as well as the
capacity of the electric motor (Safoutin et. al., 2018).
Now day in Indonesia the electric transportation
facilities used is increase like electric bicycles,
electric motorcycles, electric cars, electric bus and
train. The public sentiment towards to electric
transportation facilities is increasing. The predicted is
the increase of electric transportation use will lead to
a significant increase in electricity consumption, that
are strategic actions are needed related to the
development of generating capacity, distribution
networks with charging infrastructure for electric
transportation (Zhuk and Buzoverov, 2018).
Jondra, I., Sunaya, I., Arka, I., Parti, I., Sudiartha, I. and Widharma, I.
The Performance of Electric Vehicles Converted from Combustion Motorcycles.
DOI: 10.5220/0010947400003260
In Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Applied Science and Technology on Engineering Science (iCAST-ES 2021), pages 451-457
ISBN: 978-989-758-615-6; ISSN: 2975-8246
Copyright
c
 2023 by SCITEPRESS – Science and Technology Publications, Lda. Under CC license (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
451

The development on electric transportation has
received a large cost and investment from the
government to support technology development and
testing. As in Bali, electric buses have been operated
for public transportation. The realized electric
transportation so far is still below expectations,
although it has grow up to a positive direction. The
problems by potential users, including cost, range,
reliability, and availability of electric transportation
options (Knowles, 2013). Base on that problems, it is
need some research to increase the competence of the
technicians, so that a reliable, efficient and chipper
assembly is obtained. Based on the results of this
reliable assembly, modifications to the electric motor,
controller, and battery to develop the electric
transportation. The electric vehicle developments can
be carried out if the current data or the latest up date
of electric vehicle developments are known. With this
research, the current data, development and
characteristics of electric transportation blow up.
This research is very interesting to do, the hope is
researchers can design, assemble, operate and
analyses the performance of electric vehicle
converted from combustion engines motorbike so that
old motorcycles are utilized continuously. The
analysis carried out in terms of reliability and ability
to become a means of transportation. With the results
of this study, students can develop the technology of
this electric vehicle mode. With this research, it will
increase the contribution of the Bali State Polytechnic
in developing electric vehicle.
1.2 Problems
How is the performance of electric vehicles converted
from combustion motorcycles, regarding maximum
speed, electrical energy consumption and distance
travelled on 100 watt hours energy?
2 RESEARCH METHOD
2.1 Research Approach and Concept
This research is quantitative research. The
formulation of the problem will be discussed by
taking data about the performance of the converted
electric motorcycle. The test results will be analysed
statistically and mathematically to obtain the
characteristic values of electric motorcycles. In
selecting components, it is guided by: SNI 8608:2018
ISO/TR 13062:2015 about : electric cycle dan electric
motor bike, Indonesian Minister of Transportation
Regulation Number : 65/2020 About : Conversion of
a Fuel Motorized Motorcycle into a Battery-Based
Electric Motorcycle, designed and installed the
electric motorcycle component, then conclusions and
recommendations are drawn.
2.2 Total Sample
In this study, seven samples were taken related to the
weight of the rider, from this weight variation,
different mileage will be obtained in the same energy
consumption.
2.3 Variable Operational Definition
The variables analysed in this study consisted of
mileage length (L), Weight (W), Electrical Energy
Consumption (W), maximum speed (Vmax), average
speed (Vavg).
2.4 Tested
The mileage (L) is the distance that can be travelled
by an electric motorbike for one research sampling,
maximum speed (Vmax) is the maximum speed that
can be achieved by an electric motorcycle with a
certain weight of passengers, Average speed (Vavg)
is the average speed achieved by an electric
motorcycle with a certain weight of passengers during
one sampling, this three data was measurement is
carried out using a GPS-based speedometer in kilo
meters per hour.
The test path taken in this electric motorcycle test
is relatively straight, there are only 6 turning points,
the others are straight, so measurements are chosen
using a GPS-based speedometer. GPS data loggers
are therefore accurate for the determination of speed
over-ground in biomechanical and energetic studies
performed on relatively straight courses (Witte &
Wilson, 2004). This GPS-based distance and speed
measurement is done by installing an android
application on a smart phone. Many speedometer
applications are available in the play store as shown
in the figure 1 below.
I chose the GPS Speedometer application
Version: 4:045 because its features are very complete.
This speedometer can be selected in km/h or knots or
mph, to improve accuracy for low speeds, for
example, an electric bicycle can select a bicycle
feature with a maximum speed of 65 km. In this
speedometer application you can easily read travel
time, trip distance, start time, maximum speed,
altitude along the way, and location, more details can
be seen in figure 2 below. What's more unique, this
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application has recording facilities during the trip,
which can be sent via email or social media.
recordings of this journey in various forms,
graphs, numbers, even in the form of tracks that ride
on the google map application. With this recording,
the travel history can be monitored anytime,
anywhere and using a variety of devices that support
it. This rigid and valid record is very supportive for
researchers to analyse and draw conclusions.
Figure 1: Android speedometer GPS base.
Figure 2: Panel speedometer GPS base.
Weight (W) is the rider's body weight measured
in kilograms, this weight measurement is done before
they ride an electric motorcycle. To measure the
weight of the rider is done using a digital scale with a
maximum weight of 200 kilograms.
Electrical energy consumption (W) is the amount
of electrical energy used in 1 experimental sample,
this energy measurement is carried out using a DC
watt meter in Watt Hour. Measurement of electrical
energy consumption is carried out by an indirect
measurement system using parallel resistance. From
this parallel resistance, a digital KWH meter is
installed as shown in Figure 3 below.
Figure 3: DC digital KWH meter.
This type of KWH Meter measurement circuit can
be an indirect measurement, so it does not interfere
with the voltage sent to the load. The shunt current
sensing system was recommended as the best suited
for simultaneous detection of DC injection accurate
metering (Mironenko and Kempton, 2020). As for the
installation circuit of this measuring instrument, it can
be seen in Figure 4 below.
Figure 4: Installation circuit DC digital KWH meter.
2.5 Data Analysis
In converting this Yamaha LS3 into an electric
motorcycle, it will use mathematical and physical
calculations, the results of these calculations will be
compared with regulatory standards regarding the
conversion of electric motorcycles. In determining
the power of the electric motor of an electric
motorcycle, it is influenced by the weight of the
vehicle including the rider, the speed to be achieved
The Performance of Electric Vehicles Converted from Combustion Motorcycles
453

and the time of achieving that speed which can be
explained by the formula below.
W = 1/2 x mV2 (1)
P = Wt (2)
ware:
W : work (Joule)
m : Weight (kg)
v : speed (m/dt)
P : Power (watt)
T : time (dt)
The working ability of an electric vehicle controller
measured in watts is influenced by the magnitude of
the power source or battery voltage and the nominal
current that can flow in the controller. To analyse the
workability of the controller can be calculated by the
formula below.
P = V x I (3)
ware:
P : Power (Watt)
V : Source voltage (Volt)
I : Nominal current flowing to controller (Amper)
3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The results of this study are expressed in the figure of
an existing figure of a motorcycle combustion by the
brand: Yamaha (type: LS3), component figure, circuit
diagram, final figure of the converted motorcycle.
The results of this study are also equipped with tables,
graphs, and information related to the object of
research.
3.1 Result
Yamaha LS3 is a combustion engine vehicle, year of
manufacture 1973, with an engine capacity of 100 cc.
This motorcycle is classified as antique and rare. Its
unique design as shown in the figure below makes
this motorbike still a collection of old motorbike
collectors. So it is very interesting if it is converted
into an electric motorcycle without changing the
major design.
Figure 5: Yamaha LS3 with combustion engine.
The results of measuring the weight of the
Yamaha LS3 combustion motorcycle, it was 85
kilograms, my weight as a rider was 74 kilograms,
bringing the total weight to 159 kilograms. Based on
the regulation of the minister of transportation
Number: 111/2015 it is determined that on the
highway the maximum speed of a motorcycle is 80
km/h. Based on these two types of data and using
formula (1), it can be calculated the power of the
electric motor needed to drive the converted electric
motorcycle, as in the calculation below.
W = ½ x m v
2
= ½ x 159 x (80 x 1000/3600)
2
= ½ x 159 x (22.22)
2
= 39,252 Joule = 39,252 watt seconds (4)
If the time required to reach a speed of 80 km/h is
10 seconds, using formula (2) it can be calculated the
need for an electric motor for the conversion of a
Yamaha LS3 combustion motorcycle into an electric
motorcycle as shown in the calculation below.
P = W/t
= 39,252/10
=3,925.2 watts (5)
In the specifications of the Yamaha LS3
motorcycle, it is stated that the engine capacity of this
motorcycle is 100 cc. Based on the Regulation of the
Minister of Transportation of Indonesia Number:
65/2020 article 12 paragraph 4 section c.1 it is
determined that for motorcycles with a maximum
engine capacity of 110 cc, the conversion is to an
electric motorcycle with an electric motor with a
maximum power of 2,000 watts. To comply with the
regulations, converting a Yamaha LS3 motorcycle is
done using an electric motor with a maximum power
of 2,000 watts as shown in the figure at below, thus
the calculation results with a motor power of 3,900
watts cannot be applied.
Figure 6: Brush less direct current motor 2,000 watt.
Based on the selected motor capacity, proceed
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with the selection of the controller. This controller is
an electric vehicle component as a DC to DC
converter (Matey, 2017). To support the performance
of a brush less direct current motor (BLDC motor), a
controller with a minimum capacity of twice the
motor capacity is needed (Mutyala and Tech, 2019).
In this study, the capacity of the BLDC motor is 2,000
watts, so a controller of at least 4,000 watts is needed
to anticipate the starting current. The controller found
on the market is a controller with the following
specifications: input voltage: 48-72 Volt DC, Output
current: 100 Amperes. Based on the controller
specifications, the controller capacity can be
calculated by formula (3) as below.
P = V x I
= 48 x 100
= 4,800 Watts (6)
Based on the calculation results above, it can be
explained that with a 48 Volts battery this controller
can produce an output power of 4,800 watts, or about
240% of the capacity of the installed BLDC motor.
After identified the capacity of the BLDC motor and
controller, then the battery can be determined to be
used. Data controller states that the controller will be
able to work well at least with a 48 Volt DC power
supply, or it can also be operated for a 60 Volt or 72
Volt DC power supply. The greater voltage of the
battery affect to the greater the power can be
generated by the controller. In this study, a 72 Volt
battery with a capacity of 20 Ampere hour was
selected. with these specifications, the battery
performance can be calculated by formula (4) as
described below.
W = V x I x t
= 72 x 20 x 1
=1,440 Watt hour (7)
Figure 7: Battery lithium polymer 72 Volts 20 Ah.
BLDC motors have lower efficiency compared to
alternating current induction motors, BLDC at
nominal speed has an efficiency of about 80% while
AC induction motors reach 85% efficiency
(Miyamasu and Akatsu, 2013). Thus, 20% of the
electrical energy sent to the BLDC motor is lost in the
form of heat, iron loss, copper loss, friction loss and
so on. Not 100% of the energy that goes into the
BLDC motor is used to rotate the rotor.
The main component in the controller circuit is the
microprocessor. This microprocessor is programmed
how to drive the mosfet in order, provides PWM
execution based on the throttle input, and also has
other features such as brake, reverse, self study, speed
control, communication port, led indicator, etc
(Kumar et. al., 2010). In its working process, the
controller also requires electrical energy to operate
the electronic components installed in the circuit
board. Not all of the energy entering the controller is
output to the BLDC motor. The controller has a
maximum efficiency of 75.6% (Hirave et. al., 2015).
As a chemical material, the battery should not be used
until its capacity is exhausted, operation like this will
accelerate battery damage (Chen et. al., 2021).
especially lithium polymer batteries, it is not
permitted to discharge up to 10% capacity (Dimitrios
et. al., 2020) (Ranjbar et. al., 2011). thus the lithium
polymer battery can be operated to a minimum of
up to 20%, maximum usable 80% of capacity. Thus
the maximum mileage of an electric motorcycle as a
result of this conversion can be calculated as
described below.
t = W x 80% x 75,6% x 80%/2000 x 60 minute
= 20.54’
If the maximum speed is 65 km, in 20 minutes 54
seconds, then the distance that can be covered with
the maximum speed for a single charge is a maximum
of 22.25 kilo meters.
The performance of the electric motorcycle as a
result of the conversion from the Yamaha LS3
combustion motorcycle is carried out on the same
route, with the same energy, namely 100 watt hours
for each observation. Each time the observation is
climbed by different riders with different weights.
Tracking speed, distance is done using a GPS-based
speedometer application, with output as in Figure 8
below.
Figure 8 explains that the observations were made
on June 24, 2021 at 10:40. The observations were
carried out in the Ketewel area, Sukawati, Gianyar
Regency, Bali Province with latitude coordinates: -
8.636685 and longitude: 115.284870. Observation
time lasted for 5 minutes 47 seconds, with a distance
The Performance of Electric Vehicles Converted from Combustion Motorcycles
455

of 3,036 km, a maximum speed of 54 km / h and an
average speed of 31.5 km/h. Observations were made
from the start, the maximum speed was 54 km/h, on
the contour of the road varying up and down between
17.30 meters to 30.70 meters above sea level.
Figure 8: Tracking speed.
The data in Figure 8 is loaded and added to the
total weight value which is the weight of the vehicle
(76 kg) plus the weight of the driver, energy for one
observation of 100 watt hours and is analysed in table
1 below.
Table 1: Performance electric motorbike.
NO
BRUTO
WEIGHT
AVG
SPEED
MILE
AGE
ENERGY
CONSUM
PTION
1 (KG) (KM/H) (KM) (Wh/KM)
2 150 31,5 3,04 32,94
3 149 31,2 3,09 32,40
4 138 32,1 3,29 30,39
5 128 31,8 3,50 28,57
6 124 31,4 3,58 27,93
7 120 31,8 3,68 27,20
8 120 31,5 3,65 27,43
9 119 32 3,66 27,31
Avera
g
e 131 31,7 3,43 29,27
The data in table 1 is statistically processed to
produce an illustration in the form of a graph as
shown in Figure 9 below.
Figure 9: Performance of electric motorbike converted from
combustion engine motorbike.
3.2 Discussion
In choosing a BLDC motor is influenced by the total
weight as well as the maximum speed and
acceleration to the maximum speed. The calculated
that the required BLDC motor capacity is 3,925.2
watts. Based on confirmation of regulations for
Yamaha LS3 with a 100 cc combustion engine
capacity the maximum converted is a 2,000 watt
BLDC motor.
Other equipment must be able to a 2,000 watt
BLDC motor. The controller capacity is minimum of
twice the capacity of the BLDC motor, the choice is
a controller with a voltage 48-72 Volts by nominal
current of 100 amperes at least 4,800 watts. The
battery is selected is according to the controller
voltage, the choice is a 72 Volts 20 Ah battery, it can
supply 1,440 watt hours of energy, ultra fast charger
needed for recovery energy (Tong and
Groesbeck,
2012).
Observations on the performance of the converted
motorcycle were carried out with varying rider loads.
The data in table 1 shows that the heavier the rider's
load, the shorter the distance that this electric
motorbike can cover with an energy allotment of 100
watt hours.
4 CONCLUSIONS AND
SUGGESTIONS
4.1 Discussion
To convert a yamaha LS3 with a 100 cc combustion
engine, the regulations limit it based on the existing
engine capacity up to 110 cc, converted with
maximum 2,000 watts BLDC motor. To support the
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performance of the 2,000 watts BLDC motor, a
controller with a capacity of 4,800-7,200 watts was
chosen in a working voltage of 48-72 Volts. The
battery options on the market are 72 volts with a
capacity of 20 Ah. The performance of the converted
motorcycle shows that the maximum speed that can
be achieved is 54 Km/h, with an average gross load
of 131, an average speed of 31.7 Km/h, a mileage of
3.43 km for an energy allotment of 100 watt hours. ,
with a level of energy consumption reaching 29.27
watt hours/kilo meter.
4.2 Suggestions
To prevent the accumulation of used combustion
motorcycle, the conversion into an electric
motorcycle is very important because the components
are available and the energy consumption is more
efficient and pollution-free. Further researchers can
develop the conversion of combustion motorcycles
into electric motorcycles by making alternative
components that are more efficient and perform
better.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was funded by DIPA Politeknik Negeri
Bali Year 2021. We thank Director of Politeknik
Negeri Bali for his support to this research.
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