Honda has revealed a U.S.-designed electrical scooter, supposed for “first and final mile” transport, that can fold up into its personal suitcase-size carrying case.
The scooter, known as Motocompacto, seems prefer it could be an ideal mobility accent to pack into the upcoming 2024 Honda Prologue EV. And it’ll price lower than $1,000, Honda says.
The Motocompacto, which will probably be out there for buy beginning in November, is powered by a permanent-magnet motor and direct-drive association. Peak output is 490 watts, or about two-thirds of a horsepower, with a listed peak torque of 11.8 lb-ft. Prime pace is 15 mph, and the 6.8 ampere-hour battery could be charged up on a 110-volt AC socket in 3.5 hours.
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
Probably the most spectacular of the scooter’s specs—aside from how compact it’s when folded—is its using vary: as much as 12 miles, in keeping with Honda. That’s simply sufficient to get round a dense city core, throughout a campus, or round a seaside group, for example.
There’s precedent, in that Honda as soon as offered the same folding scooter. The unique Motorcompo was offered from 1981-1983, and Honda has revisited the thought in all-electric type at the very least as soon as. And lately there have been different (far more costly) electrical scooters that fold up like suitcases.
This totally electrical revival was designed and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio and California, and it’s already earned 32 patents.
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
The scooter is made with heat-treated aluminum for the body and wheels—possible a key determination to save lots of weight—whereas a welded metal lock loop is appropriate with most bike locks, in keeping with Honda. It has speedometer and battery degree gauges, and what’s described as a soft seat, whereas LED lighting, onboard storage, and a carry deal with altogether guarantee a degree of usability past its first-glance gimmick.
Don’t altogether dismiss somewhat interface gimmickry, although. There’s additionally a cellphone app permitting private settings for lighting and experience modes.
The scooter doesn’t want a separate carrying case; it converts into one and altogether weighs simply 41.3 kilos. At 29.2 inches lengthy, 21.1 inches excessive, and simply 3.7 inches large folded, it’s compact sufficient to doubtlessly carry on public transportation.
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
That’s in fact additionally an excellent set of dimensions for becoming into trunks and car cargo areas—which seems to be what Honda has in thoughts. It hasn’t but listed any accompanying merchandise that pair it immediately with its autos, but it surely says a line of Motocompacto equipment like a helmet and backpack are on the way in which.
Unfolded, the Motocompacto measures 38.1 inches lengthy, with a 35.0-inch peak and a 17.2-inch width. Its seat peak is 24.5 inches.
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
Honda doesn’t immediately say that this scooter will probably be packaged inside a future EV—maybe partly as a result of it hasn’t but revealed a lot about its GM-codeveloped 2024 Prologue due subsequent yr, or the EV constructed by itself e:Structure arriving in 2025. Nevertheless it hints that the Motocompacto will probably be pairing with its EVs in order to fulfill firm sustainability targets.
“Bought together with our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto helps our purpose of carbon neutrality by serving to prospects with end-to-end zero-emissions transport,” mentioned American Honda R&D vice chairman Jane Nakagawa.
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter
E-bike gross sales surged in the beginning of the pandemic, and whereas many car manufacturers together with Porsche, Jeep, and Land Rover have provided co-branded e-bikes, few have opted to construct their very own. GM tried to construct its personal e-bikes in 2019 and killed the operation a yr later.
Honda is totally different, although. As a longtime bike and scooter maker, and a mobility firm differently than different automakers, it might once more present right here that it could possibly ship a number of ranges of efficiency-maximizing mobility.