If you are the kind of person who frequently drives to busy areas and simply hates to walk from a far-away parking lot to your last-mile destination, Honda has come up with a seemingly effective solution. The Japanese automaker has launched a gizmo called the Motocompacto, a foldable electric scooter that you can essentially carry around with you for convenient first- and last-mile connectivity. It takes inspiration from the original Honda Motocompo, a 49cc scooter from the 1980s designed to fit in the boot of a Honda City hatchback.
To give you an idea of just how compact the Motocompacto is, it’s about 970mm long and 430mm wide when ready to ride, with a seat height of about 620mm. However, when folded, the length and width drop to just 740mm and 94mm! And with a weight of 19kg, which is not exactly light, it should not be too difficult to carry around, especially in the boot of a vehicle.
Designed and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio and California, the Motocompacto has earned 32 patents during its development, and it’s not difficult to figure out why. Designed to fold into a small suitcase-like form factor, the e-scooter offers a compact seat, proper foot pegs, and a handlebar in its ready-to-ride configuration. There’s even onboard storage, a digital speedometer, a charge gauge, front & rear LED lights, side reflectors, and a kickstand on offer.
When not in use, the Motocompacto can quickly transform into its own compact, light and stackable carrying case with a conveniently placed carry handle. It can then be easily carried around in a vehicle, or on public transport, or it can be simply stored in a relatively tight spot.
The Motocompacto is propelled by a 490W direct-drive electric motor that powers the front wheel. A 6.8Ah battery pack provides enough juice for a 16Nm torque output, which enables a top speed of 24km/h and a riding range of about 19km on a full charge. Using a standard 110V power outlet, the Motocompacto’s onboard charger can juice up the battery fully in about 3.5 hours.
The Motocompacto will go on sale in the United States starting November 2023. It can be ordered either through its dedicated website or through Honda and Acura automobile dealers. But with a price tag of $995, its utility does not come cheap.