Electric cargo bike

Choosing the right electric cargo bike – a guide

Start with what you will carry and how often. The choice between two and three wheels determines both the ride feel and how much the bike may carry, and below we go through models, range, motor, equipment, rules and service.

Two-wheeled or three-wheeled electric cargo bike – models for different needs

Two-wheeled cargo bikes ride like an ordinary electric bike and suit you if you commute with luggage or a child on the back. The HOVSCO HovCart is the clearest family bike in the range: a 750 W motor, child seat, rear rack, hydraulic disc brakes with E-ABS and a 204 kg maximum load at 34.1 kg of its own weight. The OneSport OT01 has 650 W, a 48 V 27 Ah battery, front basket, child seat and a 150 kg maximum load. The KOOLUX X7 Pro combines 750 W with a basket and rear rack for deliveries and groceries, and the ENGWE L20 Boost is a 250 W model with a basket, rear rack and 126 km of stated range.

Three-wheeled cargo bikes give support when starting and stopping and have a cargo basket at the back. The Fafrees F20 Mate comes with 48 V 21 Ah or 48 V 23.45 Ah and a backrest, both with a 500 W motor, three hydraulic disc brakes, cruise control, mirrors and a 180 kg maximum load. The Hidoes ET1 is a folding fat bike tricycle with 750 W and E-ABS, the VIPCOO R1 has dual batteries, a reverse function and a 200 kg maximum load, and the APEFOX RH30 is a mid-price option with 18-inch wheels.

Range and battery on an electric cargo bike

Batteries sit at 360–3,120 Wh. The KOOLUX X8 has dual batteries totalling 48 V 65 Ah and up to 220 km of stated range, the KOOLUX X9 Pro has two 48 V 15.6 Ah batteries with 180 km, and the Fafrees F20 Mate with backrest reaches 120 km on three wheels. Expect 60–75 % of the stated range in real riding – load, hills and cold weather reduce the figure, and a fully loaded electric cargo bike sits in the lower part of the span.

Every model has a removable battery that charges indoors in 5–10 hours, and the KOOLUX X9 Pro and VIPCOO R1 have dual charging ports. If you need 100 km or more per charge, there are more options among long-range electric bikes.

Motor, weight and maximum load

Motors span from 250 W rated power to 2,000 W on the eHoodax 05WQ tricycle. For everyday loads in a flat city 250 W is enough, while hills with children or heavy shopping are better served by 500–750 W and high torque – the HovCart has 90 Nm. Maximum load is the most important figure on an electric cargo bike: most two-wheelers are approved for 120 kg including the rider, the OneSport OT01 and LOOKROAD L26 for 150 kg and the HovCart for 204 kg. Among the tricycles the Fafrees F20 Mate and OneSport OT30 Pro handle 180 kg, the VIPCOO R1 and eHoodax 05WQ 200 kg.

The URLIFE F1L is the lightest at 24.5 kg with a folding frame, most 20-inch fat bikes weigh 30–47 kg, and the heaviest tricycles, the VIPCOO R1 and eHoodax 05WQ, weigh 91 and 95 kg respectively and need ground-level storage.

Comfort and equipment – basket, rear rack and child seat

Many models ship with a basket or a rear rack, and the HovCart and OneSport OT01 have a child seat as standard. All have front suspension and several full suspension, which makes a difference with a load on uneven ground. Indicators, cruise control and an app with NFC lock are available on several KOOLUX models, most have an IP54 rating, and many models fold, from the URLIFE F1L to the Hidoes ET1 tricycle.

Wide 20-inch tyres give stability with heavy luggage – read more about the type among the fat bike electric bikes. All tricycles are gathered under electric tricycle, and if you need to haul even more, a bike trailer behind the bike is the answer.

Electric cargo bike and the rules in Europe

Across the EU a pedelec (EPAC) may have a motor of max 250 W rated power that only assists up to 25 km/h, and the throttle may only drive at walking pace, 6 km/h. Then the bicycle rules apply: the cycle lane, no registration and the helmet rules for cyclists in your country. Some models in the category meet that: the ENGWE L20 Boost, KOOLUX X16, KOOLUX X7, KOOLUX X9 Mini and URLIFE F1L – but if you use the throttle above walking pace the bike counts as a moped even with 250 W. The others have a motor stronger than 250 W, even though many ship limited to 25 km/h, and formally count as speed pedelecs or mopeds: without registration, a driving licence and insurance they may only be ridden on private enclosed land, with the details varying by country. The class is listed in each product's specifications – read the road rules in your country. Read more in our guide to e-bike laws in Europe.

Rules for carrying children in a child seat, such as minimum rider age and maximum child age, vary by country, and we recommend a helmet for the whole family – see helmets.

Service, warranty and spare parts

All electric vehicles ship with free delivery and a 2-year warranty. Battery, charger, brake pads, tyres and inner tubes are in our spare parts portal, and the Fafrees F20 Mate ships with extra brake pads. Charge with the original charger, store the battery at room temperature, keep the tyre pressure up when riding with a load and check brakes and bolts extra often on a tricycle that carries heavy loads.