By Gary S. Vasilash

The starting price of an iPhone 15 Pro is $999.

Which puts the starting MSRP for the Honda Motocompacto electric scooter–$995—into some context.

Chances are, the kind of people who’d opt for that phone model would be ideal for the personal transportation device—and yes, it is more of a device than a traditional scooter, especially given that the Motocompacto can be folded into an easy-to-lug (it weighs 41 pounds, so while you’re likely able to carry it, it probably won’t be for a great distance, which is where the lugging comes in) rectangular (self-) container measuring 3.7 inches wide, 21.1 inches high, and 29.2 inches long: think of it is a narrow suitcase.

The scooter folds into itself so there is a tidy package ready to be put in the truck of a car (ideally a Honda or Acura, as dealers of those brands are where the scooter is sold) for the next last-mile journey.

But the point of the scooter is to provide quick urban transport, not to be transported (although that folding is quite clever).

It has a range of 12 miles, a top speed of 15 mph, and it can accommodate a rider who weighs 265 pounds.

Once the battery is exhausted, it takes 3.5 hours to recharge from a traditional plug in the wall.

The typical electric scooter is designed for the rider to be standing up when riding it.

The Motocompacto is designed so the rider is sitting.

This does a couple of things.

1. It lowers the center of gravity, which facilitates balance
2. It allows the rider to be able to use their legs to recover if they feel they’re going out of balance

If you’re standing and the platform under your feet is traveling at speed and something goes awry, it could be the makings of a serious tumble.

If you’re sitting on a Motocompacto that is moving along, it is far easier to maintain one’s physical composure (even though one may be thinking “Holy sh**!”).

Riding Is Easy

It really is. No instructions required.

Need for Speed

While 15 mph might seem snail-slow, when your posterior is comparatively close to the wide open ground, it is quick. The Motocompacto is FWD, and it can get to that top speed in 7.5 seconds.

You’ve Heard of Honda

According to data analysis company Tracxn, there are some 450 electric scooter manufacturers. Odds are you’ve heard of not many of them. And odds are you’ve seen reports of late that indicate some e-scooters are bursting into flames. Seems to me that it would be a better investment—even if that investment is higher—to go with a Honda than something built by a company that started up a few months ago and very well may cease to exist a few months from now.