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I recently got the chance to test ride Honda’s new Motocompacto, a battery-powered suitcase with wheels that comes complete with an underwhelming 15 mph top speed and an adorable bell, which I must say has to be my favorite feature by far. Overall, the Motocompacto’s strongest aspect is its looks, followed by its portability. 

For context, this is the electric successor to the original 1983 Honda Motocompacto, which was powered by a tiny gasoline motor and designed to fit in the trunk of a car. The idea was that if you didn’t want the hassle of finding parking close to where you wanted to go, such as a city center, you could park farther away, take out the Motocompacto from the back of your car, unfold it, and ride to your destination. 

Specs

  • Vehicle Type: Scooter
  • Motor: 250 W Permanent-magnet synchronous DC with 490W of Peak Output
  • Torque: 11.8 lb.-ft./16 Nm
  • Weight capacity: 265lbs
  • Wheelbase: 29.2 inches
  • Brakes: single rear drum brake
  • Charge time: 3.5 hours (110v)
  • Battery Capacity: 6.8Ah
  • Price: $995

With a range of up to 12 miles, 0-15 mph time of 7 seconds, and a front wheel motor measuring 490W I wouldn’t get my hopes up about using this to get somewhere fast or far, but you can definitely get there in style. On my short ride through Westside Park in NYC, I received quite a few comments and questions from strangers about the Motocompacto, and understandably so since I was riding on what essentially looked like a white suitcase with a few small parts sticking out of it. 

The vehicle weighs only 41.3 lbs and quite easily folds down to a manageable and rollable device that you could store in the back of a car or small closet. Honda’s ideal intended use for this vehicle is for people to quickly get around in a city or for college students to travel throughout their campus but at a price of $995 and no suspension, it wouldn’t be hard to find a cheaper alternative for your commuting needs. 

Despite the lackluster specs and a 6.8 ah battery, I can’t help but want one of these for a particular reason. Call me immature, but the idea of having a late-night craving for a specific food at the nearby grocery store and being able to hop on the Motocompacto and ride it straight into the store to make my purchase without having to walk or park outside sounds like a dream. I imagine the vehicle’s tiny and adorable looks would make it much easier to be somewhat tolerated while riding through a subway platform or even a semi-empty shopping mall. 

With zero suspension, incredibly small wheels, and a tall handlebar, 15 mph is about the highest speed I’d feel safe riding the Motocompacto. While the vehicle comes with some fun tech specs like the ability to adjust your personal settings, such as lighting and ride modes through a phone app, this is still very much a simple and bare-bones vehicle and certainly rides like one. The scooter is powered only by its front wheel motor, and for brakes, you’re limited to a single rear drum brake. For safety, you also have a bell, which I thought was a beautiful touch in the safety and style department. 

As for the size, Honda kept the specs pretty similar to an actual suitcase, with its width measuring 3.7 inches when fully stowed and folds to a length of just 29 inches and a height of 21 inches. 

The folding and unfolding process was relatively simple and could be done in less than 30 seconds, although the first couple of times doing it, I had a bit of trouble as there are quite a few steps involved, but it’s something that can be done quickly after a short learning curve. Overall, I’d say the folding and unfolding process is simple enough to do so on the go while on a train station platform. 

When fully unfolded and you’re ready to ride you’ll find that the vehicle comes with two different modes. For mode one you’ll be restricted to 10 mph and are required to kick off to start moving, and with mode two you won’t have any requirement; push the throttle, and you’re on your way. 

With such a small profile, I was surprised to learn there was a place to hold things while riding. Located in the center between the handlebar and the seat is a small space adequate to hold a few snacks or laptops along with a few notebooks. You can also hold the charger that can recharge the battery in about 3.5 hours. With its compact profile when folded up, I imagine it would be a lot easier to get away with bringing this inside to a cafe, office, or building lobby to get a quick charge in. 

As for the build quality, I was happy to see that it had some simple yet elegant features, like the synthetic leather handlebar grips and seat, as well as a sleek digital speedometer. An overall pro for the Motocompacto that I love is that it’s simple and designed to be user-repairable. I love that this vehicle is charming and fun, but having a quality build and the ability to quickly repair things yourself is a massive plus in my opinion and helps to slightly justify the steep price tag. 

If you’re looking to buy the Motocompacto, it is now available for order through participating Honda or Acura dealerships or online and comes in at an MSRP of $995.

Electrek’s take:

As a last-mile commuting solution for city dwellers or college students, I can’t see the Motocompacto as highly competitive in the market, but as a suitcase with wheels, I think this might just be the best there is. 

The steep price tag and underwhelming specs make it hard to see this as a game changer, but this is still Honda’s early days into the electric PEV space, with a lot more to come.  

Honda Motocompacto review video

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The Kia EV4 is delayed, but another EV is still quietly coming to the US

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The Kia EV4 is delayed, but another EV is still quietly coming to the US

The EV4 will sadly not arrive in the US as expected, but Kia said it’s still planning on launching another EV that’s expected to be an even bigger hit.

Kia confirms EV4 delay, says another EV is still US-bound

The EV4, Kia’s first electric sedan, was expected to launch in the US within the next few months, but that will no longer be the case.

Kia has indefinitely delayed the launch of the EV4 in the US due to policy changes under the Trump administration.

The loss of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit and added tariffs on Korean imports have forced Kia, like many others, to adjust their US lineup.

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According to Kia America’s marketing boss, Russel Wager, the EV4 is only a small part of the broader tariff-related impacts the Korean automaker is facing. Wager told Car and Driver on the sidelines of the LA Auto Show that the changes will likely impact other vehicles and prices.

Kia-EV4-US-delay
2026 Kia EV4 US-spec (Source: Kia)

When asked for specifics about why the EV4 is being pushed back, Wager said, “Can you give me the answer of when the tariffs are going to be resolved in Mexico, Canada, and Seoul? If you give me that answer, I’ll be as specific as possible.”

While the EV4 is delayed indefinitely, Wager suggested bringing the EV3 to the US, Kia’s compact SUV, is still part of the plan.

Kia-EV3-US
Kia EV3 (Source: Kia)

The Kia EV3 is already one of the most popular EVs in Europe and the UK’s best-selling retail electric car this year. Given the growing demand for smaller SUVs, the EV3 is expected to be an even bigger hit with US buyers than the EV4.

When it will launch in the US or how much it will cost remains up in the air until Kia gets a better idea of market conditions.

Kia-another-EV-US
The 2026 Kia EV9 (Source: Kia)

Kia’s EV sales plunged after the federal tax credit expired at the end of September. Sales of the EV6 and EV9 fell by 71% and 66% last month compared to October 2024.

According to Wager, the automaker won’t really know what demand looks like until February or March 2026, since the loss of the $7,500 credit likely pulled buyers forward.

Kia-EV3-US
Kia EV3 Air in Frost Blue (Source: Kia UK)

Kia is still ready to launch the EV4 in the US, but that’s only if the tariff situation stabilizes. Earlier this month, the US and South Korea agreed to reduce tariffs on imports from 25% to 15%.

“At that point in time we look at it and say, are we at 25 [percent], are we at 15—and then we can build our business case,” Wager said, adding, “It was originally designed and engineered when the tariffs were zero percent.”

The electric pickup that Kia announced just a few months ago may never make it to the US. Wager pointed to Ford halting F-150 Lightning production and reports that it could be scrapped altogether.

In the meantime, Kia is heavily discounting its current electric vehicles, offering a $10,000 customer cash bonus on every model. Or, you can opt for 0% financing for 72 months plus an extra $2,500 bonus cash. Kia’s sister company, Hyundai, is also offering generous discounts with IONIQ 5 leases starting at just $189 per month.

Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Kia and
Hyundai models in your area.

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A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a nearly 3,000 mile trip across the US

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A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a nearly 3,000 mile trip across the US

A caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will take the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip across the US, lighting Christmas trees, surprising onlookers with light shows, and powering up festivities.

Chevy Silverado EVs gear up for a 3,000-mile trip

Chevy is celebrating the holidays with its fifth “Holiday Card to America,” but this year, the festivities will be brought to life.

Created in collaboration with Anomaly and Park Pictures, this season’s Holiday Card puts the spotlight on the ones that help bring the family together while keeping the traditions going: Moms.

The story follows an empty-nest couple through their holiday tradition, a trip to the family cottage in their 1987
Chevrolet Suburban.

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The couple reminisces on past trips, with two kids and the family dog in the backseat, which are now empty. The 60-second ad will air on Thursday during the NFL football games on FOX and on the Chevrolet YouTube channel.

Starting December 1, a caravan of Chevy Silverado EVs will travel 2,987 miles across the US from San Diego to Detroit, with stops in Dallas, Nashville, and Atlanta.

2026-Chevy-Silverado-EV
2026 Chevy Silverado EV Trail Boss trim (Source: Chevrolet)

The Chevy Silverado EV will light up events in each city, from illuminating the holiday tree to surprise light shows, to festive events where families can roast s’mores over a campfire while holiday caroling from local choirs plays in the background.

Chevy said the nearly 3,000-mile holiday trip is a testament to the electric pickup’s long range, fast charging, and mobile power capabilities.

The Chevy Silverado EV provides an impressive driving range of up to 494 miles, can tow up to 12,500 lbs, and offers up to 10.2 kW of offboard power with up to 11 outlets.

The 2026 Chevy Silverado EV is available in three trims: Custom, LT, or a new Trail Boss edition, starting at $55,895.

With the 2026 models arriving, Chevy is offering 0% APR financing on all 2025 model year electric vehicles, including the Silverado EV, Blazer EV, and Equinox EV.

Interested in a test drive? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to find Chevy Silverado, Blazer, and Equinox EVs at a dealer near you.

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Parents, here’s what to know if your kid wants a Sur Ron or high power e-bike

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Parents, here's what to know if your kid wants a Sur Ron or high power e-bike

If you’re a parent of a teenager, there’s a decent chance you’ve heard the phrase “Can I get a Sur Ron?” sometime in the last year. Before you panic‑Google it or head to Amazon to see what one of these bikes costs, there are some important things you should know about this class of electric two-wheelers that have become all the rage with teenagers these days.

First, let’s clear something up: “Sur Ron” is technically one of many brands that makes these styles of bikes, but it’s become a catchall term – kind of like Kleenex. People often say “Sur Ron” when what they usually mean is any lightweight electric dirtbike with mountain‑bike styling and motorcycle performance.

The brand Sur Ron may have kick-started the category, but now there are plenty of similar machines: Talaria, Tuttio, Rawrr, ERidePro, Segway X260, and plenty of smaller new brands popping up constantly. For the purposes of this topic, just look at whatever model your kid is asking for. If it looks like the pictures you’re seeing here in this article – dirtbike frame, no pedals, or offers 40+ mph speeds – then regardless of brand, you’re dealing with a “Sur Ron‑style” electric motorcycle.

And that brings us to the key reality parents need to know: A Sur Ron is not an electric bicycle. It is a light electric motorcycle.

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Kids might not realize that when they’re begging for one after their friends got one. Many of these bikes are marketed with vaguely bicycle‑ish visuals, and influencers often ride them on public roads or on bike paths. But legally, practically, and mechanically, these machines are nowhere near the same thing as an electric bicycle – and that’s the core issue parents need to understand before clicking “Buy.”

Segway also got into the space with the X160 and X260, both designed for off-road riding

What is a Sur Ron, really?

Unlike a street-legal Class 1, 2, or 3 electric bicycle, a Sur Ron‑class bike:

  • Has no spinning bicycle pedals
  • Has a throttle-only drive system
  • Usually tops out at around 40–50 mph (64-80 km/h)
  • Is built like a lightweight motorcycle, not a bicycle
  • Usually cannot legally be ridden on public roads, bike lanes, parks, or neighborhoods

There are a few exceptions to the street-legal issue, with brands such as NIU admirably homologating their designs for street-legal use. But this only further drives home the point, since such homologated models still require a motorcycle license to ride legally on public roads.

The point is, if it doesn’t have pedals and it goes over 28 mph, it’s not an electric bicycle almost anywhere in the US. That’s not my opinion – that’s how federal and state definitions work. Once you remove pedals and exceed those limits, you’ve crossed into motor vehicle territory.

Note: Part of the confusion stems from the vague term “e-bike”, which is often used to lump together everything from e-scooters and small electric bicycles to full-sized electric motorcycles. “E-bike” is morphing into a catchall term, but the legal classification of “electric bicycle” is what matters, and that legal denotation differentiates larger, non street-legal motorbikes from a street-legal two-wheeler.

A classic-looking Sur Ron electric motorbike

Why do so many kids want one?

A huge part of the Sur Ron explosion has come from YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos showing teens doing wheelies, ripping around neighborhoods, and treating these machines like high-powered scooters. Kids see the cool factor, the speed, the off-road styling – and many assume they’re basically “super e-bikes.”

Well-known influencers regularly ride these types of bikes illegally on public roads and in bicycle lanes, often at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 km/h).

The marketing doesn’t help, either. Some retailers list these rides under the “E-Bike” category, even though they’re nowhere near legal electric bicycle specifications. Many come with easily defeatable speed limiters (more on that in a moment) to try to sneak by with questionable speed and power limits.

So in many cases, kids aren’t intentionally asking for a motorcycle. They simply don’t know the difference.

However, police are aware of the distinction, and they are increasingly confiscating these bikes when they are ridden illegally on public streets or bike lanes, especially by teenagers who are unfamiliar with the rules of the road.

Cops are increasingly confiscating these types of motorbikes when they’re caught riding on public roads and bike lanes

The most important question for you: How do they plan to use it?

If your teen is asking for one of these motorbikes, consider asking them how they plan to use the vehicle before you decide what to buy.

If their answer is anything like…

  • “Ride around the neighborhood”
  • “Commute to school”
  • “Go on the bike path”
  • “Ride with my friends in town”

…then you can stop right there. A Sur Ron is not appropriate, safe, or legal for that type of riding.

What they need is a Class 1, 2, or 3 e‑bike – something with pedals, legal speed limits, and the ability to ride in bike lanes. There’s a healthy debate about which class is best for teens, but all three are at least street-legal and much safer than a Sur Ron or other light electric motorcycle for street and bike lane riding.

On the other hand, if your teen’s answer to why they want a Sur Ron is something like…

  • “Trail riding”
  • “Off-roading”
  • “Learning motorcycle skills”
  • “Riding on private land”

…then a Sur Ron‑class bike can be a great tool. With proper supervision, protective gear, and an appropriate place to ride, these bikes are fantastic learning platforms – and a ton of fun! They’re lightweight, don’t require clutch control, and have smooth throttles that make them more approachable than gasoline-powered dirt bikes. In fact, I’d say that they’re one of the best ways to learn motorcycle and dirt bike skills. Just be sure to get your kid geared up with the proper safety equipment, like a good helmet, gloves, and protective clothing. I really like a company called Beyond Riders (I have no affiliation) and I wear their armored jackets and pants on my full-size motorcycles – that’s how good they are.

Talaria is one of many manufacturers producing these types of electric motorbikes

Ask yourself honestly: Would you buy your kid a small motorcycle?

Just because it’s electric doesn’t make it any less powerful. If you wouldn’t buy your kid a motorcycle, then it doesn’t make sense to get them a Sur Ron. It’s just a motorcycle that you don’t fill up with gasoline.

Many of these models may claim to be limited to 20 mph (32 km/h), but they almost all have an easily bypassed speed limiter – often a single wire designed to be cut – that allows their top speed to be increased to around 40-50 mph. Electrek’s own publisher has talked before in our e-bike podcast about how his family’s Talaria seems to mysteriously have its speed limiter wire repeatedly cut after his teenager uses it.

These aren’t toys, and they’re not bicycles. They require the same level of responsibility, gear, and supervision as a gas dirt bike.

And depending on where you live, there can be serious legal consequences if your kid rides one on the street: tickets, fines, or worse, liability in the event of a crash.

Mounted police stop a teen Sur Ron rider on a California beach path

So what should parents buy instead?

It may appear to some that this article or my views are anti-Sur Ron, but in fact, it’s the opposite. These are great machines, and it’s awesome that they exist. But like many things in life, context is important. These aren’t commuter tools (unless they’re homologated for street-legal riding and the rider has a motorcycle lesson). These are trail bikes for off-road riding.

If your kid’s goal is everyday riding – school commutes, local cruising, bike-path adventures – then you want a proper electric bicycle. Not a Sur Ron.

Look for reputable Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes from brands that make real electric bicycles (things that look like pedal-able bicycles with batteries). Brands like Lectric eBikes, Ride1Up, Aventon, Trek, Rad Power Bikes (while they last), and others are all great, affordable options for families searching for a teenager’s first e-bike. That is by no means an exhaustive list, but they are some of the most popular among younger, budget-minded riders looking for something safe and legal.

These brands all offer models with real pedals, legal speed limits, safer handling, and that won’t get your kid in trouble for riding where motorcycles don’t belong.

We enjoy riding Sur Rons also, but there’s a time and a place

Final thoughts: Be real, be safe, and match the bike to the mission

It’s awesome that your kid is excited about electric mobility. That’s something worth supporting. But the right choice depends entirely on how – and where – they plan to ride.

A Sur Ron‑class bike is an amazing off-road machine, and a fantastic training motorcycle. But if the plan is to ride around town, go to school, or stick to bike paths, then it’s absolutely the wrong choice.

There’s no shame in saying “no” to the motorcycle and “yes” to a legal e-bike.

As with all things electric on two wheels, the key is to pick the right tool for the job. And despite the hype, a Sur Ron is not a bicycle. It’s a motorcycle. A fun, capable, impressive motorcycle – but one that needs to be used in the right place, with the right gear, and for the right reasons.

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