Inspired by the original 1980s Honda Motocompo – a tiny gasoline-powered motorcycle designed to fit in the trunk of a small car, Honda has developed a new concept for a modern micromobility solution.
The all-new Honda Motocompacto is a fun, fresh take on e-scooters with sleek and simple styling and an innovative, ultra-compact foldable design that is lightweight, portable, and easy to use.
Honda envisions the Motocompacto as a personal transportation device that could offer a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to cars and public transportation, especially in urban areas where parking and traffic are challenging. The Motocompacto was created during the COVID pandemic in 2020 when Honda engineers and designers explored new ways to meet the changing mobility needs of customers.
Unlike the Motocompo, which was powered by a noisy, two-stroke 49cc engine making 2.5 horsepower, the new Motocompacto has a small 490-watt permanent magnet motor, directly driving the front wheel.
Equipped with a 6.8 Ah lithium-ion battery, the Motocompacto can hit a maximum speed of 15 mph (25 km/h) and offers a zero-emissions range of up to 12 miles (19 km) on a single charge. The onboard battery can be fully recharged in around 3.5 hours using a 110v power source.
This lightweight e-scooter offers two drive modes. Mode 1 requires a manual kick-off to get going before the motor comes online at around 1 mph, while in Mode 2, the rider can simply use the accelerator to start from a standstill. The handlebar features an LCD screen that shows the battery level, the speed, and the selected mode. The e-scooter also has a front light, a rear light, and a bell for safety and convenience.
The foldable Motocompacto can be stored and carried in its own compact carrying case that makes it easy to take along in a vehicle, on public transportation, or store in tight places.
The Honda Motocompacto takes a lot of folding inspiration from the original Motocompo, including handlebars and a seat that drops down into the body. With folding footpegs, this little scooter is only 3.7 inches wide (9.4 cm) when fully stowed. It folds up into a package barely bigger than a briefcase, measuring just 29 inches (73 cm) long and 21 inches (54 cm) high.
Fortunately, the Motocompacto weighs only 18.7 kg (41.3 lb.), which is just under half the weight of the original 1980s Motocompo. This means it can be carried and loaded into a car more conveniently.
The foldable electric scooter is designed to complement the automaker‘s first fully electric SUVs, the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX, both coming to market in early 2024.
The Motocompacto is a great option for urban dwellers who have limited space to store a mobility vehicle, as it won’t take up much room in your already-crowded life. It’s also a great option for suburban dwellers who might need to park a significant distance from their workplace or just want to have some mobile fun. You can get your hands on one now through Honda dealers or online at Honda.com for $995, which is significantly cheaper than most e-bikes.
