I would suggest, get a engine from a EV motorcycle. Or get two of those little chines hub motors for scooters.
Plus a really beefy LiFePo4 pack.
As a added bonus, you would have to learn (and blog) something about battery management and DC brushless or AC induction motor drive.
Your EV friend can surely hook you up with the right things and people. (forgot his name. He was on the video blog before)
I will probably never get to do such a project due to price. But I reckon you could kickstart fund it.
With the financial bits sorted, you are left with some ugly mechanical problems.
![Smiley :)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xsmiley.gif.pagespeed.ic.R8GFI-pF6f.png)