When Honda made the Motocompo, a tiny, one-person scooter powered by two-stroke, 49 cc gasoline engine, it had in thoughts a last-mile transporter, transportable sufficient to slot in the trunk of a automobile and highly effective sufficient to journey about 60 km (37 miles) with a prime velocity of 30 km/h (19 mph). Its engine produced solely 2.5 horsepower — the identical energy as a conveyable garden mover engine.

Final week, Honda introduced the provision, initially in Japan, of the Motocompacto, successor to the Motocompo in operate, however not in emissions. It will likely be out there within the US someday in November at Honda and Acura vehicle sellers priced at simply $995.

Designed and developed by Honda engineers in Ohio and Californi,a the Motocompacto has 32 patents underneath its belt.

“Motocompacto is straightforward to make use of and enjoyable to trip, however was additionally designed with security, sturdiness, and safety in thoughts,” mentioned Nick Ziraldo, challenge lead and design engineering unit chief at Honda Growth and Manufacturing of America. “It makes use of a strong heat-treated aluminum body and wheels, shiny LED headlight and taillight, aspect reflectors, and a welded metal lock loop on the kickstand that’s suitable with most bike locks.”

Folded, it’s barely larger than cabin-compliant baggage. (Picture from Honda)

The now-vintage Motocompo was created in 1980 and manufactured between beginning 1981 to 1986. Designer Yoshiaki Okabe was impressed by the World Warfare II-era British Welbike folding bike. He designed the Motocompo to fold and match into the trunk of the Honda Metropolis, a Japan-only kei automobile, which he additionally penned.

For the reason that new Motocompacto inherits all of the collapsible and foldable traits of its mum or dad, it rapidly transforms into its personal compact, gentle, and stackable carrying box-like case that’s simple to take alongside in a car, on public transportation or retailer in tight locations. It’s seen because the mode of transport for getting round metropolis streets and faculty campuses. It’s designed with rider consolation and comfort in thoughts, with options like a comfortable seat, safe foot pegs, on-board storage, a digital speedometer, a cost gauge, and a snug carry deal with.

Whereas the Motocompo’s smoke-spewing 2-stroke engine produced 2.5 horsepower, its all-electric successor has an electrical motor that outputs 490 watts, the equal to about 0.66 horsepower. To make it go, a 48-volt lithium-ion battery with about 1.5 kilowatt-hours capability is used. This offers the Motocompacto a variety of as much as 12 miles on a single cost. It may be totally charged in simply 3.5 hours in each the folded and ready-to-ride configuration utilizing a standard 110 v outlet.

Honda mentioned that “the zero-emissions Motocompacto is designed for the fashionable realities of city mobility, offering riders with a straightforward and fun-to-ride various transport that drastically reduces their carbon footprint whereas providing nice comfort.”

To appreciate what precisely this carbon footprint is deserves a comparability between the Motocompo and the Motocompacto. Although Honda didn’t launch any emissions info on its transportable gasoline scooter, in line with the California Air Assets Board (CARB), a typical 49cc two-stroke engine produces about 1.5 grams of hydrocarbons per kilometer, about 0.5 grams of carbon monoxide per kilometer, and about 0.2 grams of nitrogen oxides per kilometer. Which means the whole emissions from a 49cc two-stroke engine are about 2.2 grams per kilometer.

Based on Honda, the Motocompacto is designed to be personalised. “With glossy and easy styling that’s good for decals, stickers, skins, and extra. To reinforce the enjoyment of possession, a enjoyable and practical line of branded Motocompacto equipment can be out there, together with a helmet, backpack, attire, and extra.”

A intelligent cellphone app permits riders to regulate their private settings, together with lighting and trip modes, through Bluetooth. Charging is fast and handy with a typical compact charger that may be stowed on-board.

“The Honda Motocompacto is a superb possibility for anybody on the lookout for a enjoyable, handy, and reasonably priced method to get round city. It’s good for brief journeys, commuting, and operating errands,” Honda shared in its official press assertion after the launch of the electrical bike.

A transparent view of the Motocompacto’s design with a direct motor drive and the battery pack reveals ample space for storing when the handlebars usually are not folded. Picture from Honda