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, referred to as Motocompacto, seems prefer it could be an ideal mobility accent to pack into the upcoming 2024 Honda Prologue EV. And it’ll value lower than $1,000, Honda says. 

The Motocompacto, which will likely 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. High 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—apart from how compact it’s when folded—is its driving vary: as much as 12 miles, based on Honda. That’s simply sufficient to get round a dense city core, throughout a campus, or round a seashore group, for example. 

There’s precedent, in that Honda as soon as offered an identical folding scooter. The unique Motorcompo was offered from 1981-1983, and Honda has revisited the concept in all-electric kind a minimum of as soon as. And in recent times there have been different (way more costly) electrical scooters that fold up like suitcases. 

This absolutely 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—doubtless a key determination to avoid wasting weight—whereas a welded metal lock loop is appropriate with most bike locks, based on 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 a bit of interface gimmickry, although. There’s additionally a cellphone app permitting private settings for lighting and trip 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 broad folded, it’s compact sufficient to doubtlessly deliver on public transportation. 

Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter

That’s in fact additionally an awesome 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 straight with its automobiles, 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 straight say that this scooter will likely 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 12 months, or the EV constructed by itself e:Structure arriving in 2025. However it hints that the Motocompacto will likely be pairing with its EVs in order to satisfy firm sustainability objectives. 

“Offered at the side of our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto helps our aim of carbon neutrality by serving to clients with end-to-end zero-emissions transport,” stated American Honda R&D vp Jane Nakagawa.

Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter

Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter

Honda Motocompacto folding electrical scooter

E-bike gross sales surged firstly 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 12 months later.

Honda is completely different, although. As a longtime bike and scooter maker, and a mobility firm differently than different automakers, it could once more present right here that it may ship a number of ranges of efficiency-maximizing mobility.