Best Electric Cargo Bikes for Easy, Two-Wheeled Hauling

Spending far less than you would on a truck or car, sidestepping expensive vehicle insurance, never paying for a drop of gasoline, and casually running your errands or riding with the kids around the neighborhood—these are just a handful of benefits that come with adopting a cargo e-bike. The best electric cargo bikes cruise like a dream while hauling hundreds of pounds of gear or passengers, are genuinely fun to ride, and are an especially practical mode of transportation in these turbulent economic times.

As someone who has tested and reviewed my share of e-bikes, I know how challenging it can be to realize which e-bike is best-suited for your lifestyle, as well as how awesome it feels when you get your hands on that perfect bike. With that in mind, I’ve researched, compared, and tested out a number of models to find the highest weight capacities for maximum cargo, the most feature-rich bicycles, and all-around best electric cargo bikes available today, as well as tips to help you select the right option for your daily commute.

Our top picks of the best electric cargo bikes

How we chose the best electric cargo bikes

I kept several important factors in mind as I compared, researched, and test-rode a number of models to select the best electric cargo bikes on the market today. Some of the most important aspects that determined which e-bikes made the list include cargo capacity, range per charge, comfort and convenience, durability, additional features, warranty, and price.

What to consider when choosing an electric cargo bike

Power and capacity

Since the entire point of an electric cargo bike is to easily carry a heavy load, look for bikes with a high weight capacity to ensure you’ll be able to carry everything you need, as well as a powerful motor to keep your ride smooth and steady despite the additional cargo. Also, consider the terrain of your area, as some e-bikes effortlessly fly up inclines while others are better-suited for flatter locales. If you need to regularly haul a lot of cargo, seek out bikes that include a throttle, so you can easily get moving from a standstill without needing to pedal too hard, and to help make it up inclines.

Whether you’re interested in carrying people or cargo, a higher weight capacity gives your ride extra versatility for whatever you may need to transport in the future. While a 350 pound weight capacity is great for an extra passenger or lighter loads (be sure to include your own weight when considering the total weight capacity you’ll need from a bike), a 400-450 pound limit will allow you to carry large loads, while anything that lets you pack on 500 pounds of cargo or more is best for heavy-duty hauling.

Range

Cargo bikes are heavier and bulkier than other e-bikes, so they tend to have a relatively limited range. An electric bike’s range refers to how many miles it may be able to travel on a single charge under the best possible conditions.

If you’re buzzing around the neighborhood to pick up kids from school and back, or running errands, this shouldn’t be too big of a concern. However, please note that even electric cargo bikes that boast an extra-long range will certainly come up short when loaded down with a lot of weight because its motor will have to work that much harder to get from point A to point B.

Type

There are also a few types of cargo e-bikes to choose from, and each has its own pluses and minuses. For example, longtail models offer a lengthier rear rack for stowing cargo or passengers behind the rider. Longtail cargo bikes offer plenty of storage space and are often slimmer than other kinds of cargo e-bikes, making them a good pick for homes with limited storage space.

Front box cargo bikes include a sizable, low-slung, box-like container on its front end that effortlessly holds a large number of items, extra-large or inconveniently-shaped objects, or multiple passengers. Although these tend to have the most room for storage, they are also normally the largest and heaviest types of cargo bikes.

While most electric cargo bikes fall into one of the above categories, there are interesting outliers available such as compact, foldable, and tricycle-like e-bikes to consider, too.

Features

In addition to extra accessories that will help make your unique commute easier, such as additional storage compartments or a cargo net, some handy features worth searching for include premium brakes for extra stopping power, models with enhanced suspension for a smoother ride, a lockable battery pack that cannot be removed from your bike without a key, and safety features such as blinkers, reflectors, and a bell.

Also, if your cargo e-bike doesn’t include an anti-theft device, I highly recommend investing in one of this year’s best bike locks to keep your new ride safe and secure for years to come.

Comfort

It’s not easy to identify a comfy e-bike at a glance, but comfort-focused features such as a height-adjustable seat and handlebar stem, a design that promotes an upright and relaxed posture, and shock-absorbing tires will all come together for a comprehensively cozier ride.

What type of electric cargo bike is best for me?

Named after their signature extended rear racks, longtail bikes are well suited for carrying passengers or cargo behind the rider. These tend to be slimmer, easier to turn, and faster than front boxes, take up far less room for storage, and are easy to outfit with an array of accessories made for the average bike. On the other hand, drivers aren’t able to watch over their cargo or passengers while riding, the longtail itself does not offer nearly as much storage space as a front box bike, and many longtail buyers will need to invest in extra accessories such as a cargo net, basket, or extra padded seat to get the most out of their cargo bike.

A front box bicycle is easily identified by the large crate-like box attached to the front of the bike. They can stow more than the average cargo bike due to their large, low-slung box, and are especially handy for carrying multiple passengers, bulky or unwieldy items, and extra-heavy loads. On the other hand, front box bikes are much heavier and bulkier than longtails, tend to be pricier than their longtail counterparts, and require much more space to store.

Both longtail and front box-type cargo bikes have their perks and negatives, however it is up to you to decide which option is best-suited for hauling your cargo and passengers around safely and effectively.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is an electric cargo bike worth it?

If you need an efficient way to transport bulky items, pets, or a passenger or two, a quality electric cargo bike is certainly worth the investment because you’ll save on gas and get some extra exercise during your daily commute, plus, these bikes are far more affordable than a car or truck.

There are a few potential downsides, however. These specialized e-bikes are pricier than the average bicycle, and tend to be both heavier and feature a shorter range than other electric bikes.

If you make regular rides to pick up and drop off kids from school, pick up groceries in your neighborhood, or find yourself needing to move a lot of items across town on a regular basis, an electric cargo bike is a worthwhile mode of transportation. If you’re curious about e-bikes in general, read our in-depth guide to what an electric bike is and how to choose an electric bike.

What is the lightest electric cargo bike?

Although electric cargo bikes excel at carrying substantial loads of gear and people, the tradeoff is that these models tend to be heavier and bulkier than other electric bicycles. The average cargo e-bike is over 70 pounds, however the Tern HSD P5i is the lightweight champion of this list, weighing in at just 61.5 pounds. If you love the idea of an electric bike that easily holds almost 400 pounds, yet is significantly lighter than most cargo bikes, the HSD P5i may be for you.

Are there different types of electric cargo bikes?

While all electric cargo bikes will carry you and a large load around your area, there are a few notable design differences between them, and these are the two most common variants:

Longtail: Named after the bike’s long rear rack, these bikes are made to stow cargo and seat passengers behind the rider.

Front loader: Noted for the large box or bucket-like container affixed to the front of the bike, these are great for hauling big and awkwardly shaped items, kids, and pets, and the ability to keep its contents within the rider’s line of sight at all times is a handy perk.

Of course, there are a few electric cargo bikes made differently such as hefty, yet stable tricycle-like models, but most are either longtails or front loaders.

How fast does an average cargo e-bike go?

Electric cargo bikes prioritize carrying heavy loads and stability over speedier e-bikes, and outside of a few exceptions, most have a top speed of between 15 and 20mph. However, there are certainly exceptions. If you need an extra-speedy e-bike, look for a “Class-3” model, as these electric bicycles can reach a top speed of 28mph.

Note that the laws regarding Class-3 e-bikes vary between states and countries, so please research if your area requires anyone riding a Class-3 bike to have a license, wear a helmet, or whether or not these speedy bicycles are legal to ride at all. For more info, see our explainer on how fast electric bikes go.