Honda is breathing new life into a classic scooter, modernizing it with a suitcase-inspired design known as the Motocompacto.
Taking direct inspiration from the 1980s MotoCompo, the revamped electric scooter is designed to be incredibly compact. When folded, it measures just 21.1 inches in height, 29.2 inches in length, and 3.7 inches in width, making it easy to fit in the back of a car. It even includes a leather strap on top for convenient carrying, although its 41.3-pound weight places it on the heavier side among e-scooters.
To prepare for a ride, users can unfold the handlebars, seat, wheels, and other components, expanding the scooter’s dimensions to 35 inches in height, 38.1 inches in length, and 17.2 inches in width. The handlebars feature an integrated LED screen that displays the speedometer alongside the battery level, providing riders with essential information.
While the Motocompacto is not intended for long journeys, Honda describes it as a “fun-to-ride ‘first and last mile’ solution” suitable for neighborhood travel. It features a 490W electric motor with a top speed of 15 mph and a maximum range of up to 12 miles. The scooter can accelerate to 15 mph in just seven seconds, making it ideal for quick point-to-point trips.
One potential drawback of Honda’s scooter is its charging time, which takes 3.5 hours to reach a full charge. However, when compared to other e-scooters like the NIO KQi3 Pro with a six-hour charge time, the Motocompacto’s three-hour charging period appears relatively reasonable. Additionally, the scooter comes with a standard 110v plug, compatible with the common three-pronged input found in most American households.
The Motocompacto e-scooter is set to launch in November in the United States, with a price tag of $995. It will be available for purchase online or at select “Honda and Acura automobile dealers.” Honda also has plans to release a “clever phone app” that will enable riders to adjust personal settings, lighting configurations, and ride modes via Bluetooth, although no specific release date for the app has been provided.
