The world has been waiting for Honda to seriously get behind electric bikes, motorcycles, and other lightweight personal electric vehicles. And now they just have, in a big way. But I no matter what you’re expecting when you hear “Honda just launched a bike lane vehicle”, I can pretty much guarantee that it isn’t this. Say hello to the Fastport eQuad, a new four-wheeled delivery vehicle from Honda.
Honda is officially entering the micromobility space, and they’re not easing in – they’re rolling out a pedal-assist, battery-swapping, cargo-hauling quadricycle that’s designed to live in bike lanes and take over the urban last-mile delivery game.
Say hello to the Fastport eQuad, the first product from Honda’s new micromobility business, Fastport, which will make its global debut at Eurobike in Frankfurt later this month. Fastport will become Honda’s newest spinout, a “B2B business dedicated to transforming the last-mile delivery industry with innovative micromobility solutions.”
Fastport’s first product, the eQuad, is a four-wheeled, pedal-by-wire electric delivery vehicle built specifically for navigating congested cities – in bike lanes.
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Yes, this thing is actually designed to be bike-lane legal. That’s a bold move, but potentially a game-changer for cities where streets are packed and curb space is at a premium.
And yes, if you’re thinking that bike lanes aren’t meant for four-wheeled vehicles, you may be onto something. That’s true in many areas of the US, though laws differ between cities and states. But in Europe, many countries allow four-wheeled vehicles like these to use bike lanes, which are more like mobility lanes intended for a variety of non-car urban runabouts.
Keep in mind though that Honda is targeting both North American and European markets with the Fastport eQuad, so the US definitely looks to be in its sights.
“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,” explained Jose Wyszogrod, general manager and founding member of Fastport. “Drawing from the deep knowledge of Honda design and engineering talent in the U.S., the Fastport eQuad is a testament to the commitment of Honda to advancing a more sustainable future through innovative mobility solutions.”
Instead of fighting traffic in a Sprinter van, the Fastport eQuad lets couriers zip through town at up to 12 mph (20 km/h), quietly and cleanly, thanks to a combination of pedal-assist power and swappable Honda Mobile Power Packs. It’s fully enclosed with a UV-protected canopy, a ventilation fan, and automatic parking brakes. Think of it as a futuristic urban rickshaw mashed up with a mini delivery van, only way smarter.
And I mean smarter. This is a software-defined vehicle, which means it’s more than just an EV; it’s a rolling data hub. It comes with AI-enhanced fleet dashboards, real-time diagnostics, and cloud-based updates over the air. Honda’s also launching a full Fleet-as-a-Service (FaaS) platform, handling everything from battery swaps to maintenance.
Honda’s swappable batteries (as demonstrated in an electric scooter)
There are two versions: a larger model with a 650-pound (295 kg) payload capacity and a smaller one that carries up to 320 pounds (145 kg). The big one can go up to 23 miles (37 km) on a charge even when fully loaded, though the smaller version’s range is listed as “TBD.”
If 23 miles of range doesn’t sound like much, remember that this is an urban delivery vehicle, and it’s more than likely going to be used for delivery circuits that are significantly less than 23 miles. But if the need ever arrived, it’s Honda Mobile Power Pack batteries are around the size of a lunchbox (remember those?) and can be swapped out in seconds. Considering the rear cargo box can carry between 90 to 150 cubic feet of cargo (1.5 to 4 cubic meters), I’d say there’s room to bring a spare battery.
Both models are built with a modular design that allows businesses to swap out the cargo box for parcel, grocery, or specialty delivery needs.
Or if you’re thinking what I’m thinking, that rear cargo box would make an awesome camper. At 75 and 89 inches in length for the smaller and larger cargo boxes (190 and 239 cm), both would fit a sleeping adult, no problem. Don’t get too excited yet though – it doesn’t look like Honda has any plans for a camper or passenger version, at least not at the moment.
The specs are impressive, sure. But what really stands out is Honda’s commitment. This isn’t some side project. They’re building it in the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, the same place that makes the Acura NSX supercar and Honda’s race cars.
If you want to know whether Honda is serious about this whole micromobility thing, that should answer your question. They’ve also designed it around their fancy-shmancy Gogoro knock-off batteries, finally giving us more real world devices to use the rarely-seen power packs. That further lends credence to the impression that Honda is really getting behind this thing.
The Fastport team says vehicle deliveries will start in late 2025, with mass production set for 2026. And while pricing hasn’t been revealed yet, it’s safe to assume Honda is positioning this as a premium business solution, not a consumer joyride. But hey, as long as it’s not insanely expensive, that might not stop me from trying to raise the funds to buy one and trick it out into an awesome bike camper. Feel free to email my publisher and tell him Electrek should help me make that happen…
Electrek’s Take
This could go either way. I love the ability for vehicles like these to take more vans and trucks off the road. That’s better for everyone. On the other hand, I can see cyclists having something of a problem with a the bicycle equivalent of a delivery van inviting their bike lanes. As a car-free guy, I get it.
That said, I have to deal with trucks and delivery vans in my bike lanes all the time, so hey, this smaller one is definitely an improvement. Getting hit by it is more likely to ruin my day than to ruin my life. So….. progress?
Jokes aside, I think it is fair to say that with the rise of urban delivery services, and cities pushing harder than ever to get vans out of downtowns, the timing couldn’t be better. We’ve seen a few bike-lane-legal delivery quads hit the market in Europe, but not from a brand with Honda’s resources, engineering, and distribution network.
If this is what Honda thinks the future of urban logistics looks like, I’m all for it. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing Fastports zipping past gridlocked vans sooner than we think. Perhaps with something this large, you could even “Take the lane” and ride on streets with cars with a little more confidence. Car drivers often don’t seem to be worried about a cyclist’s femur messing up their paint, but they might be a little more careful when they’re challenged by something that could actually send them to the garage for expensive bodywork.
Let’s be real… it’s a small(er) electric delivery van, but with handlebars and pedals
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Russia’s President Vladimir Putin bids farewell to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi following their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 9, 2024.
Gavriil Grigorov | Via Reuters
Russia on Tuesday weighed into the growing spat between India and the U.S., with the Kremlin saying New Delhi is free to choose its own trading partners.
Washington and India’s leadership are at loggerheads over imports of Russian oil, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening New Delhi with much steeper tariffs if it continues to purchase the commodity from Russia.
The Kremlin, an important trading partner of India’s and one which had stayed silent as the spat erupted in the last few days, commented that Trump’s tariff threats are “attempts to force countries to stop trade relations with Russia.”
“We do not consider such statements to be legitimate,” Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov continued, speaking to reporters Tuesday.
“We believe that sovereign countries should have, and have the right to choose their own trade partners, partners in trade and economic cooperation. And to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country.”
The dispute between Trump and New Delhi is being closely watched by investors after Trump threatened on Monday that he would be “substantially raising” the tariffs on India, although he did not specify the level of the higher tariffs. The president had threatened a 25% duty on Indian exports, as well as an unspecified “penalty” last week.
He also accused India of buying discounted Russian oil and “selling it on the Open Market for big profits.”
India hit back at the U.S. later on Monday, accusing it and the European Union of hypocrisy.
“It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion [for them],” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
Western countries have used sanctions and import restrictions as a way to stifle Moscow’s oil export-generated revenues that fund its war machine against Ukraine. However, some of Russia’s trading partners, particularly India and China, have continued their purchases of discounted Russian crude that their economies largely rely on.
India and Russia’s trade relationship has grown since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022; Russia became India’s leading oil supplier after the war began, with imports increasing from just under 100,000 barrels per day before the invasion — 2.5% of total imports — to more than 1.8 million barrels per day in 2023 — 39% of overall imports, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said earlier this year.
— CNBC’s Lim Hui Jie contributed reporting to this story.
Electric motocross just got another serious upgrade. Stark Future has unveiled its latest evolution of the VARG MX platform – meet the VARG MX 1.2. With more powertrain efficiency, longer range, and a tech-infused new onboard computer that moonlights as a military-grade Android phone, this bike is maintaining the Stark VARG playbook of doing more than keeping up with gas-powered competition, it’s burying them.
Stark Future is flying high, both literally with impressive performance that has helped riders to expand their options so aggressively that it’s gotten itself banned from the X-Games, to proverbially with the company already touting profitability so early in its operations.
At the heart of the VARG MX 1.2 is the same 80 hp (60 kW) electric motor that made the original VARG such a monster on the dirt, easily outgunning traditional 450cc gas bikes. But this time around, riders get even more customization. The power output can be adjusted anywhere from 10 to 80 hp (7.5-60 kW) on the fly, with refined control over the power curve and motor braking. Basically, it’s like having a garage full of bikes in one, and all of them are really impressive!
Helping riders tap into all that performance is a new handlebar-mounted smart device called the Arkenstone. This isn’t your average LCD screen, it’s a full-fledged, ruggedized Android smartphone that connects wirelessly to the bike. Want to change power modes mid-lap? Done. Want to track your lap times and get real-time GPS data? Also done. Stark even partnered with a major map provider to make sure the new “Laps” feature delivers real course splits and terrain data without the need for external apps or gear.
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And of course, performance is still king here. The new 7.2 kWh battery tucked into a lightweight magnesium honeycomb case delivers up to 20% more range than before. That means longer rides, harder pushes, and fewer recharge breaks. Oh, and it still puts out 973 Nm of torque at the rear wheel. Not a typo. That’s insane torque.
The updated chassis is no slouch either. Stark redesigned the frame using a stronger, lighter steel alloy, shaving off nearly a kilogram while improving flex and feedback. Suspension was also retuned with KYB components offering 310mm of travel and selectable spring rates based on rider weight – a level of adjustability that’s unheard of from most OEMs.
Motocross legend Kevin Windham, after testing the bike, didn’t hold back: “I’ve ridden everything there is to ride, and this is the future.” He praised the natural feel, instantaneous response, and how quickly it felt like home, even after decades on gas bikes.
But the VARG MX 1.2 isn’t just a lab project. It’s been relentlessly race-tested under the leadership of two-time World Champion Sébastien Tortelli, who now heads up Stark’s racing program. “Racing is where weaknesses show and strengths are proven,” says Tortelli. “Every race, every rider, every condition feeds into what we build.”
Other upgrades include a new overmolded wiring harness for extreme durability, a lighter and more efficient gearbox, new tires (Dunlop or Pirelli, your call), and even a reinforced skid plate made from biodegradable materials. Optional titanium hardware can shave off another 900 grams if you’re counting grams like trophies.
Maintenance? Practically nonexistent. With no pistons, clutches, or filters to fuss over, Stark says its riders can save up to $5,000 over 100 hours of use compared to a traditional gas bike. And in an industry notorious for limited warranties, Stark is backing the entire bike for two years.
Those cost savings are going to be important considering that electric motorcycles usually have higher up-front sticker shock. But with the new Stark, pricing is surprisingly competitive for something this high-end.
The 60 hp (45 kW) standard model starts at US $12,490, while the full-fat 80 hp (60 kW) Alpha comes in at $13,490 (plus a $1,000 tariff charge for US buyers). Bikes are available now through Stark’s global dealer network or directly from the company’s site.
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Trowbridge in Somerset, England, on March 15, 2025.
Anna Barclay | Getty Images News | Getty Images
BP CEO Murray Auchincloss on Tuesday leaned into the growth potential of the company’s recent oil and gas discoveries, as the struggling energy major contends with takeover questions and a major turnaround plan.
“Inside the upstream, we’ve had tremendous performance, along with record operating efficiency [and] along with starting up five new major projects,” BP’s Auchincloss told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Europe“, just after the release of the company’s second-quarter results.
He added that he was “very optimistic” about the company’s latest exploration discovery in the Bumerangue block in Brazil’s Santos Basin, just over 400 kilometers (248.5 miles) from Rio de Janeiro. BP is currently carrying out tests to further analyze the block’s potential.
The Bumerangue discovery, announced Monday, is the firm’s 10th since the start of the year and reflects a potentially significant boost as BP continues to double down on hydrocarbons.
After underperforming its peers in recent years, the firm has shifted gears by way of a fundamental strategic reset that will see BP prioritize fossil fuels and slash renewable spending.
Earlier on Tuesday, the energy major reported underlying replacement cost profit, used as a proxy for net profit, of $2.35 billion for the three months through June — comfortably beating analyst expectations of $1.81 billion, according to an LSEG-compiled consensus.
Ramping up investor returns, the company also said its quarterly dividend will increase to 8.32 cents from 8 cents and that it will maintain the pace of its share buyback program at $750 million for the second quarter.
Shares of the company were last seen trading 1.6% higher during morning deals.
Takeover speculation
The downturn of recent years has turned BP into the subject of intense takeover speculation, with some questioning a potential future merger with domestic rival Shell. For its part, Shell in late June said that it had “no intention” of making an offer.
UAE oil giant ADNOC, as well as U.S. oil giants Exxon Mobil and Chevron, are among some of the names that have also been touted as possible suitors.
Asked whether the company had been approached by any potential merger partners amid ongoing takeover speculation, Auchincloss said BP is focused on growth.
“That’s what is going to drive the share price up for shareholders,” he added.
CEO of BP Murray Auchincloss speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas, on March 19, 2024.
Mark Felix | AFP | Getty Images
Maurizio Carulli, global energy analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said BP’s earnings were the company’s first positive quarterly results “in a very long time,” noting that “what is perhaps most encouraging” was the firm’s outperformance came despite a period of lower oil prices.
“The management team has clearly started delivering on the strategy reset announced a few months ago. There has been huge speculation of late on the fate of BP and whether or not a rival will look to take them out with a merger,” Carulli said.
“If positive results like this continue to be delivered, that speculation may just end up being a blip in BP’s long and storied history,” he added.
Asset review
BP, which is under intense pressure to improve profitability from the likes of activist investor Elliott, noted that it would initiate a further cost review of its assets — mere weeks before Albert Manifold joins BP’s board from Sept. 1 and as chair from Oct. 1.
Asked for further details of this strategic review, Auchincloss told CNBC: “If you think back to 2020, we reduced our costs by 25%, and in 2024 we announced another program to reduce our costs by another 20%. That’s the $4-5 billion that I referenced earlier.”
“If we can achieve that, that will take us to around top quartile in the sector, but I don’t think that is enough,” Auchincloss said.
BP’s net debt came in at $26.04 billion at the end of the second quarter, down from nearly $27 billion compared to the first three months of the year.
“We need to keep driving safely to be the very best in the sector we can be. And that’s why we’re focused on another review to try to drive us toward best in class inside the sector,” Auchincloss added.