Well, this makes New Zealand Post's Paxster quadricycles look positively archaic. Honda has created a little something it calls the Fastport eQuad, the first product of a new division from its New Business Innovation Lab (based in California).
Honda says its new company is "dedicated to transforming the last-mile delivery industry with innovative micromobility solutions."
The Fastport brand is making its global debut at Eurobike from 25-29 June in Frankfurt, Germany, where it will unveil the eQuad prototype. It says the EV "enables companies to enhance their urban logistics operations with speed, efficiency and reliability."
Powered by Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and software-defined vehicle (SDV) features, the Fastport eQuad will enter the micromobility market in Europe and North America in late-2025, with general mass production in 2026.
The eQuad will be built in the US by the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC), which specialises in small-volume and specialist products. It currently makes the CR-V e:FCEV PHEV/hydrogen model (available for customer lease in California) and racing cars. In the past it has also been responsible for the Acura NSX.
The Fastport eQuad is equipped with a pedal-by-wire pedal-assist powertrain, and swappable, rechargeable batteries. It features energy-saving technologies including a regenerative braking system that captures and reuses energy to boost efficiency, as well as automatic parking brakes for enhanced safety.
For rider comfort, the eQuad also has a canopy with UV coating and a ceramic tint option, along with a ventilation fan and full-frontal enclosure.
Fastport will offer large and small vehicle and cargo box container sizes, tailored to meet regional customer needs. The modular design of the eQuad allows for customisation in vehicle length to cater to a wide range of uses.
“The Fastport team has worked tirelessly to create the Fastport eQuad, a zero-emission alternative to delivery vans that solves the challenge of last mile urban logistics by meeting the needs of urban residents expecting on-demand deliveries of packages, groceries and other items," says Jose Wyszogrod, general manager and founding member of Fastport.