Ah, the electric cargo bike. A head-turning combination of truck-like utility and bicycle-like whimsy, all powered by the hum of an electric car. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love the idea of buzzing around town on a two-wheeled truck humming with whimsy?
On a more serious note, electric cargo bikes are a practical and eco-friendly transportation option for hauling everything from groceries to furniture to kids. And as the demand for sustainable solutions grows, so too does the market for these nifty modes of transportation.
Best Electric Cargo Bikes
Picking the right electric cargo bike for your needs can be a daunting task. With so many options and so much information available, it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve done the heavy hauling for you. We’ve sifted through the options and done the due diligence, all so you can make an informed decision about which electric cargo bike is the best fit for your needs.
After several days of research, we believe we’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation, so you can feel confident that whichever one you choose will be of the highest quality and fit your specific needs.
See our picks below.
A smart, fashionable option for transporting both cargo and children through the city. It offers superior hauling abilities within a sleek, expertly crafted design, and is fitted with a strong battery pack and brushless hub motor for a distance of 30-50 miles.
The Flyer Longtail Electric Bike is our pick for the best electric cargo bike — and for good reason. Not only is it affordable for the utility it provides, but it boasts top-of-the-line hauling capabilities packed into a beautifully designed performance bicycle for your family.
With this e-bike, you can haul cargo and kids with ease thanks to the additional space for both at the back of the bike. And with a 48V 15Ah UL-tested lithium-ion Samsung 50E 21700 cells battery pack and 500W brushless hub motor, you’ll have plenty of capacity and power to get where you’re going. It has a range of 30 to 50 miles and a 5-level pedal assist with cadence sensor, making it a breeze to ride.
In terms of specs, the Flyer is equipped with a 7-speed Shimano shifter and disc brakes, and has a max rider capacity of 220 lbs. and a max payload capacity of 400 lbs. The bike itself weighs 73 lbs. and has a total length of 73.34″ (1,863mm).
To sum it up, the Flyer Longtail Electric Bike is a reliable and stylish choice for hauling cargo and kids around town. As far as we’re concerned, it’s the ultimate all-in-one longtail electric cargo bike.
The ultimate e-bike for transporting your family and your groceries around town. Its design includes a lowered seating position for kids and a three-point belt for added safety, as well as a lightweight frame and electric pedal assistance for effortless navigating through busy streets.
If you’re willing to splurge a bit — okay, a lot — then the Urban Arrow Cargo Bike is the way to go. This is a family electric bike like no other.
The standout feature of this electric bike, although there’s more than one, is the lowered children’s seating position, which creates an overall lower center of gravity for increased stability. And for added safety, there’s a sturdy and adjustable three-point belt to keep your little ones secure during the ride.
But the Urban Arrow Cargo Bike isn’t just for hauling kids. The light frame, the electric pedal assistance, and the stepless gear shifting make it easy to zig-zag your way around traffic with all your grocery bags in the front trunk, making it perfect for navigating the busy city.
In terms of power, this e-bike is equipped with a Bosch Cargo Line motor and a 500Wh lithium-ion battery. It can carry a maximum of 4 passengers. The bike also has Magura CMe disc brakes for reliable stopping power. The max rider weight is 275 lbs and the maximum total weight is 550 lbs.
All in all, the Urban Arrow Cargo Bike is an unbeatable option if you want a bike that can carry as many children or shopping bags as a family van or compact SUV.
A compact and foldable electric bike with the ability to navigate a variety of terrains. Its 20-inch fat tires and 500-Watt motor provide a smooth, easy ride, and the puncture-resistant tires and dual suspension allow for tackling rough roads.
Are you in need of a compact and foldable electric cargo bike? If so, then the Heybike Mars is the way to go. With its fat, 20-inch tires, capable motor, and full of juice battery, this bike is ready to tackle any demand or terrain.
This electric bike is powered by a 500W brushless motor with a top speed of 20 miles per hour, and its 4-inch wide puncture resistant fat tires and dual suspension make it perfect for tackling downtown roads, rocky trails, sandy beaches, snowy suburbs, and any urban jungle you throw it into.
As for riding, the Heybike Mars has 3 riding modes and a Shimano 7-speed derailleur, and its dual disc brakes and lighting system ensure your safety at all times. And when it’s time to pack up and go, the Heybike Mars can be folded down to a compact size, making it easy to fit in your car.
The fat, puncture-resistant tires and the sturdy cargo rack help you carry out groceries, gear, or whatever else you need when you’re riding in town or out in nature. The 48V 12.5Ah removable battery gives you a range of up to 37 miles on throttle assist and up to 48 miles on pedal assist mode.
The electric bicycle itself weighs 66 lbs and the maximum load capacity is a whole 330 lbs. Overall, the Heybike Mars Electric Bike is a convenient choice for those in need of a compact, foldable electric cargo bike. Grab one and hit the road!
What to Look For
The electric cargo bike is a wonder on wheels, a veritable Swiss army knife of a bicycle capable of propelling itself while hauling you — the rider — along with everything from groceries to furniture. But how do you choose the right one?
For starters, think about your needs.
Will you be hauling your little ones or just cargo? And what kind of cargo? A few grocery bags and a bottle or two of water? Bags of charcoal or maybe fertilizer from the hardware store? Furniture, work stuff? Over what kind of terrain do you plan on traversing?
These are all questions to consider when evaluating your options. They should determine whether you need a rack or a trunk. They should also inform the space on/in that rack/trunk and any additional safety or storage features required.
Weight capacity is important — what you don’t want to do is exceed the electric bike’s limits and risk not being able to ride it with ease or wearing out the motor. Make sure to check the max rider and payload capacities of any bike you’re considering.
Most electric cargo bikes are powered by a lithium-ion battery, but the size and range of the battery can vary. Make sure to choose one with a battery that meets your needs in terms of distance and power. Remember that the electric bicycle’s stated range will vary with your weight, the terrain, the load, as well as whether you ride mostly in throttle (less range) or pedal assist mode (greater range).
Other factors to consider include the type of motor, the gear system, and the braking system. A brushless motor is typically more efficient and reliable, and a multi-speed gear system can make hills a breeze. And don’t skimp on the brakes! Reliable disc brakes will give you peace of mind when hauling heavy loads.
Finally, don’t forget about aesthetics! While it’s not the most important factor, you’ll likely be spending a fair amount of time on your electric cargo bike, so make sure you choose one that you, and anyone else in the family who will be riding it, find visually appealing.
