Honda has officially announced the launch of Fastport, which happens to be a new B2B business committed to transform the last-mile delivery industry with innovative micromobility solutions.
According to certain reports, the stated business’ first product is going to be the zero-emission Fastport eQuad prototype, an all-electric quadricycle delivery vehicle arriving on the scene with an ability to help companies enhance their urban logistics operations through speed, efficiency, and reliability.
More on that would reveal how Fastport eQuad will leverage Honda Mobile Power Pack (MPP) swappable batteries and software-defined vehicle (SDV) features to address urban congestion and rising consumer demand for faster, more frequent deliveries.
Talk about the whole value proposition on a slightly deeper level, we begin from the way Fastport eQuad seamlessly combines cutting-edge technology with a modern design to conceive one efficient and safer mode of transportation for delivery drivers.
Furthermore, it leverages a unique pedal-by-wire pedal-assist powertrain, and easily swappable, rechargeable batteries, all for the purpose of providing a smooth, powerful and silent riding experience with zero carbon emissions.
Next up, we must dig into the availability of numerous energy-saving technologies, including a regenerative braking system which captures and reuses energy to boost efficiency, along with automatic parking brakes for enhanced safety.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in the assortment of a canopy with UV coating with a ceramic tint option, a ventilation fan, and full-frontal enclosure. The solution’s chassis design, when placed next to thoughtfully integrated components and Honda engineering, also treads up a long distance to achieve smooth experience even on uneven road surfaces.
Staying on the design aspect, the eQuad further features a fair amount of modularity, something which allows for customization in vehicle length to cater to a wide range of uses. These possible use cases include parcel, grocery, and small package deliveries.
Then, we have the Fastport’s FaaS platform coming into play, In case you weren’t aware, this FaaS platform is what brings to your disposal various software-defined platform features, including swappable batteries, cargo containers, service and maintenance plans, as well as AI-powered dashboards with real-time insights that enhance driver and fleet-management operations.
Apart from that, thanks to premium connectivity and seamless over-the-air software updates, all Fastport products should be able to achieve secure and high-performance access of cloud-based services, unlocking continuous value and improvements over the vehicle’s lifetime.
Markedly enough, Fastport eQuad is slated to be produced at the Honda Performance Manufacturing Center (PMC) in Ohio, which would be a small volume, specialty manufacturing facility using domestic and global parts. For better understanding, since opening in 2016, the PMC has been responsible for production of the Acura NSX supercar, multiple Acura PMC Edition vehicles, the CR-V e:FCEV fuel cell electric vehicle, and Honda Performance Development race cars.
Among other things, we ought to mention bow Fastport is already engaging with major logistics and delivery companies in North America and Europe for pilot test programs, as it gears up for production launch at some point next year.
“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,” said 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.”
