If you haven’t been following this build, 3C Mini Works of Akron, Ohio recently completed a very nice EV Honda Grom build. And the thing is, this is not an EV swap; Specifically, it’s a hub motor EV swap with an absolutely fantastic battery pack.
How big is it? All told, 3CMW says this Grom now weighs about 330 pounds. For comparison, the stock 2026 Honda Grom has a Honda-claimed curb weight of 224 pounds. I’m not sure how much the hub motor weighs, but it’s clear that the battery is responsible for most of the weight on it.
It’s also worth knowing that the 3CMW Mitas tires used in this build are super-sticky drag tires. Thus, while they are guaranteeing great grip on the road, they are also apparently (and surprisingly) wearing out incredibly fast. Of course soft and sticky tires will do this. The plan is to try some harder-compound Michelin tires on this Grom next, and there will be additional testing at that time. Gotta cover all variables, right?
But this is for the future; Now what is the result of the tires that are damaged? As you may or may not know, a lot of variables can affect the range you get on an EV. Rolling resistance (which can be affected by your tire choices) can make a difference, but other things can also affect it, including how hilly or flat your route is, how fast or slow you’re going, whether it’s continuous or intermittent riding, how much you use regen braking (if it’s an option on your vehicle), and of course your weight and whatever else you’re carrying on (or in) the vehicle.
In this case, it’s a man commuting to and from work on a relatively flat route, which he says is about 18 miles each way. He’s trying to keep the speed up to normal city speeds, so about 35 to 40 mph, give or take, as much as possible. Obviously, in a real-world situation, your actual speed will vary depending on many things, including how much traffic there is, what types of stop signs or stop lights you hit, etc.
What does range testing ultimately reveal? I won’t completely spoil it for you (you should really watch the video), but while it’s not bad, 3CMW is reasonably sure it could get better range by making some adjustments in the future. This includes switching to less sticky tyres, and of course planning to see how much tire choice affects the end result.
But what do you think? Isn’t this kind of EV Grom a totally excellent way to get to and from work? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
