The Honda Motocompacto is now officially on sale at select Honda and Acura dealerships across the country, as well as online. Perhaps the cutest e-scooter on the market, it’s capable of reaching speeds of up to 15 mph (24 km/h), has a range of 12 miles (19 km), and costs $995.
The Motocompacto was first unveiled in September as a compact, folding electric scooter designed by Honda engineers in the U.S. The purpose of the new Motocompacto is to be used as a last-mile conveyance that’s perfect for getting around a city center or a college campus.
Once folded, the Motocompacto is small enough to fit into the trunk of a vehicle, just like the Motocompo that inspired it. The original was powered by a 49cc engine, not an electric motor, making 2.5 hp (1.8 kW/2.5 PS), and having a top speed of 18 mph (29 km/h). The highlight was of course its ability to be folded up and fit into the trunk of a 1983 Honda City Turbo II.
Read: The Honda City Turbo II May Be Fondly Remembered, But There’s A Reason It Didn’t Last
Now, the new Motocompacto is looking to revive that spirit for the 2020s. It features a 490-watt (0.6 hp) electric motor that’s powered by a 6.8Ah battery. An onboard charger that allows it to be powered up in just 3.5 hours.
“Motocompacto is uniquely Honda – a fun, innovative and unexpected facet of our larger electrification strategy,” Jane Nakagawa, VP of the R&D Business Unit at American Honda Motor, said in September. “Sold in conjunction with our new all-electric SUVs, Motocompacto supports our goal of carbon neutrality by helping customers with end-to-end zero-emissions transport.”
With a frame that is made of heat-treated aluminum, it weighs in at 41.3 lbs (18.7 kg), but its body means that it’s stackable, so you can store more than one in the trunk of your EV. Honda also claims that it’s easy to ride, and was designed with safety and durability in mind. Plus, its compact dimensions (3.7 inches wide, 21.1 inches tall, and 29.2 inches long once folded) make it easy to take onto public transit.
The Honda Motocompacto also comes with an app for your smartphone that provides owners with information about its state of charge, battery health, a trip calculator, and more. Check it out on Honda’s website.