Modern Vespa

Found a good deal on Craigslist for a 2020 Elettrica with a listed 49MPH top speed, which the seller says he verified physically. This implies to me it's the 70 KM/H model. However, a VIN check on vincheck.info shows it's an "Elettrica 30MPH." I checked a few more VINs I found on cycletrader.com, and every 2020 Elettrica I checked turned up the same result. There is one 2020 Elettrica described as a 45 MPH model, but that listing does not include the VIN. All other 2021 or newer listings are identified as 45MPH models, and the 3-4 VIN checks I ran on those bears that out.

Are there any other ways to tell the models apart aside from a test ride (e.g. hidden sticker/label, etc.)? When was the 70 KM/H model first available in the US? The seller is over an hour away by car so it would be great to know if there's a way to verify the model without driving out there.

Thanks!

Just call your local Vespa dealer and give them the VIN#. It takes the parts guy 30 seconds to look it up, and saves you a lot of time doing homework and guesswork.

I did consider that but wasn't sure if I should talk with Sales or Service/Parts. I'll give the latter a try. Thanks!

Try checking the vin on http://recall.piaggiogroup.com/

Vespa Elettrica (2018, ZAPCB0100) 45km/h

Vespa Elettrica (2019, ZAPCB0100) 45km/h

Vespa Elettrica (2019, ZAPCB0101) 25km/h

Vespa Elettrica (2019, ZAPMA9101) 70km/h

Vespa Elettrica (2021, ZAPCB0103) 45km/h

Vespa Elettrica (2021, ZAPMA9102) 70km/h

45kmh version has a black front spring.
70kmh version has a red front spring.

Also to note that in the manual, the 70kmh version actually has a top speed of 67kmh, but Elettrica 70 sounds better for marketing!

Knowing the Italians, I wouldn't rely on that 100%… Correct.

Based on this, the one I'm looking at is a 45KMH version. Still gonna run the VIN with the dealer to be sure.

VIN Prefix is?

It is also a changeable indication: the "Elettrica" lettering on the right side hood, there the "E" is red on the 70km/h version, the rest in chrome (the lettering on the 45km/h is completely chrome).

The speedo over reads so the 45 tops out at 28mph, but the speedo displays 31mph.

I believe that means that if it was set to KM, it will top out at 49KM/H on the speedo - which might suggest where that number has appeared from.

Also, the 45 is referred to as L1, and the 70 as L3 on some official forms as well.

ZAPCB0E

I noticed that every 45KMH Elettrica listing that has a VIN has this prefix. The 70KMH Elettricas VIN prefix is different, but all of them are MY 2021 and newer. I can't find any verified MY 2020 70KMH models anywhere. What MY did the 70KMH model officially start? This Elettrica has the full chrome Elettrica badges on the right side hood. All MY 2021+ 70KMH listings I've seen have the red E. This would make sense. However, the one pic in the listing that shows the dash does look like the odometer is displaying MPH.

After learning these new differences I've pretty much given up on this being a 70KMH Elettrica. Thanks for everyone's help!

ZAPCB0E can't find anything with that "e"…

As I wrote above, these are the official VIN-Prefix for Vespa Elettrica: In the US I don't know, Europe MY2019.

Does it have yellow legshield trim, or blue???

Blue. The Vespa website shows the MY 2023 70KMH model is available with blue trim, but was blue only on MY 2020 45KMH models ?

In Germany the Elettrica 70km/h was in 2020 only available in yellow trim.

Last official pricelist from October 2020:
https://www.vespa.com/dam/jcr:c0bb53dd-8aef-4a3e-b358-1fdfec8d9801/Preisliste_Vespa_10-2020_E5.pdf

Starting January 2021 the 70km/h-Version is available in the same 4 color options as the 45km/h-Version.

Here in the US, the blue trim was on the first two model year 30mph versions had the cool blue legshield guards. With the introduction of the 43mph (2021?) variant, the Elettrica received pastel yellow trim on both legshield trim and wheel rim edges. But Euro models may differ, with colors and trim, so maybe this is not so helpful.