Honda Explores Micromobility for Cargo Delivery

Spend enough time in a major city like New York or Amsterdam, and you’ll likely spot small four-wheeled cargo vehicles cruising through bike lanes.

“These battery-powered vehicles—commonly called e-quads—serve different purposes than cargo e-bikes, which primarily target personal or family use.” E-quads are larger and come with enclosed cargo compartments, making them popular with delivery giants like Amazon and UPS, as they help avoid the traffic jams that slow down traditional delivery trucks.

Now, Honda is entering the scene with its own version: the Fastport eQuad.

eQuad Hauls Up to 650 Pounds While Staying Bike Lane Legal

The eQuad is available in two sizes—small and large—both built on the same core platform. Despite being more compact than even the tiniest Mini Cooper, the vehicles can haul loads ranging from 320 to 650 pounds. “Each model comes with pedals and stays within a 12 mph (20 kph) speed limit to comply with bike lane regulations.“

To keep the eQuad running, Honda equips it with swappable Mobile Power Pack batteries. “Users can quickly swap each 22-pound battery for a fresh one, just like with systems from Gogoro or Zeno.” Drivers simply use the built-in handle to insert the battery into a compartment just behind and beneath the cockpit.

Familiar Controls Meet Smart Tech in Honda’s Software-Defined eQuad

Inside the eQuad’s cockpit, drivers will find familiar features: a bike-style seat, pedals, and a windscreen. A digital display helps them stay on course. Interestingly, Honda repeatedly emphasizes that the eQuad is a “software-defined vehicle,” promising ongoing updates and improvements throughout its lifespan—though the company hasn’t detailed what those upgrades will include.

The U.S. versions of the eQuad will be manufactured at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio. This marks a notable shift for the skilled workers there, who previously focused on hand-building the high-performance, second-generation Acura NSX—a 500+ horsepower supercar with a top speed of 191 mph.

Read the original article on:Techcrunch

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