Honda establishes Fastport, a new company through which it focuses on last-mile delivery with so-called micromobility solutions. Fastport immediately shows its first product: the Fastport eQuad. This prototype is an all-electric delivery vehicle designed specifically for use on bike lanes. The vehicle should thus make urban deliveries faster, more efficient and more reliable.
With the Fastport eQuad, Honda says it wants to help address traffic congestion in urban areas combined with growing consumer demand for faster deliveries. It is specifically targeting last-mile deliveries: the last step to get a delivery to its desired destination. This has become the most costly and complex segment of the logistics chain, according to Honda. With the help of the Fastport eQuad, Honda aims to shake up and innovate this market.
Load capacity of up to 295 kilograms
Although the Fastport eQuad can be classified as an electric bike, the vehicle's payload capacity is considerable. The Fastport eQuad is available in a small and large variant. The small variant is 3.5 metres long, 2.1 metres high and 1 metre wide. This model can carry a maximum of 145 kilograms. The cargo area of the small variant is 1905 mm long, 1460 mm high and 975 mm wide.
Its big brother is 3.65 metres long, 2.1 metres high and 1.2 metres wide. This version is suitable for loads up to 295 kilograms. The cargo space of the big variant is 2389 mm long, 1525 mm high and 1216 mm wide.
Interchangeable battery
Both versions can achieve a maximum speed of 20 km/h. This is possible thanks to electric support. For this purpose, the vehicles are equipped with a Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP). This pack is rechargeable, of course, but can also be exchanged for a full one if necessary.
An MPP is a battery pack that weighs up to 10 kilograms and is fitted with a handle. This should simplify battery swapping. It is equipped with a battery management system that provides thermal management and efficient battery charging and discharging, among other things. The system thus counteracts battery degradation, among other things, which should prolong the MPP's life. Changing an MPP can be done at a Honda Mobile Power Pack e-station, which Honda introduced back in 2021.
Fastport eQuad (image: Honda)
Range of 37 kilometres
In addition, the Fastport eQuad features a regenerative braking system, which recovers energy and thus increases the range of the Fastport eQuad. Honda reports that this range of the large variant of the Fastport eQuad maxes out at around 23 miles, or 37 kilometres in conversion. The range of the small variant is not yet known.
The Fastport eQuad comes with Fastport's Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS) model. The platform provides access to interchangeable batteries, freight containers, service and maintenance plans, among other things. It also gives companies access to AI-powered dashboards with real-time insights that make management of both drivers and Fastport eQuads more efficient. Part of the FaaS model also includes over-the-air software updates and access to cloud-based services.
In mass production next year
Honda aims to deliver the first versions of the Fastport eQuad to customers in both Europe and North America by the end of 2025. Mass production of the electric vehicle should start from summer 2026.
