Honda Motocompacto e-Scooter Puts Personal Urban Mobility in a Suitcase

The Tokyo Mobility Show changed its name from the Tokyo Motor Show to emphasize that it is about mobility of all kinds, not just cars. True to its name, the show showed a four-seater vehicle that walks on four legs, a mobile inflatable chair, a wheeled robot that can climb stairs, and even an electric excavator by Komatsu. Honda was no exception, showing their technology with a personal Vertical Takeoff and Landing vehicle with FAA certification, a wheelchair that operates by body movement, and a robot with a nimble multi-fingered hand that can perform delicate operations in places dangerous to humans. But the most relevant and surprising item from Honda was a rideable suitcase that will soon be for sale in the US, including right here at Honda of Burien.

Looking Like the Box It Came In

When folded, the Motocompacto really does resemble a suitcase, though with the thin width of a briefcase. With dimensions of 29.5 x 21.1 ”x 3.7”, it weighs just 41.3 pounds, making it easy to store and pull from a Civic Sedan trunk. Configured for riding, it still looks like a suitcase. The transition involves swinging up handlebars from inside the case, pulling out and attaching the seat, pulling the rear wheel back from the body, and swinging out two footpegs. Built into the front of the body is an LED headlight with an LED taillight in the rear. A welded loop in the kickstand is compatible with most bike locks.  

New Take on a 40-Year-Old Idea

In concept, the Motocompacto is a modern take on Honda’s Motocompo of the early 80s, a gas-powered mini bike folded up to be stored in a trunk. The Motocompo was both wider and much heavier at just under 100 pounds.

One irony of the Tokyo show no longer having “motor” in its name is that almost all mobility devices operate from electric motors, and the Motocompacto is no exception. After 3.5 hours of charging from a household 110V outlet, the little scooter has an expected range of up to 12 miles and a maximum speed of 15 mph. Unlike almost any scooter you can think of, the Motocompacto is front-wheel drive.

The Motocompacto is also largely a US invention, having been designed and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio and California and gathering 32 patents in the process. Honda sees the scooter as beneficial for the so-called last mile or first mile of public transportation commuting, navigating college campuses, and as a handy vehicle to perform errands in the city. It can be ordered online but will also be sold through the Honda and Acura dealer network, including Honda of Burien, with an estimated price of $995.

More Conventional Honda EVs Will Follow

It is perhaps no coincidence that the launch of Motocompacto is timed closely with the introduction of the Prologue, Honda’s first battery-electric vehicle for the US. The midsize Prologue SUV with a range of 250 to 320 miles can be expected to arrive at Rairdon’s Honda of Burien in early 2024. With a global goal of achieving carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda will introduce 30 new EVs globally by 2030 with a global sales volume of 2 million units.