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Anyone who has ridden an electric Citi Bike compared to a regular model can understand an e-bike’s appeal: It makes pedaling easier, commuting faster, and hauling bigger, heavier items more feasible. This versatility might be most noticeable in the category of e-cargo bikes — e-bikes with features that allow you to schlep items, groceries, and even passengers. Some people find that cargo-carrying feature effective enough that their bike can serve as a car replacement.
There are many different types of e-cargo bikes, from ones with foldable handlebar stems to models with an extended rear rack (known as a longtail) or big front boxes (known as bakfiets, which is Dutch for “box bike”); you can read more about their differences, below. Some other things to consider when shopping for an e-cargo bike are what you plan to carry and overall weight capacity, especially if you’ll be schlepping kids or transporting heavy items.
When it comes to e-cargo bike pricing, you get what you pay for, and you should expect to pay at least $1,000 for a new, reliable model. More expensive e-cargo bikes will generally have better components, and those parts will require less maintenance and repairs. “There could be a $1,000 price difference between one derailleur and another,” explains Maxime Renson, a general manager at Upway, an online e-bike retailer.
To find the best e-cargo bikes available, I spoke to seven cyclists, e-bike enthusiasts, and bike experts about the top options for all needs, including commuting, transporting items, and carrying kids. Some of these models are not available for purchase directly from the bike manufacturer, so if it’s not in stock, check your local bike shop to see if it carries it or consider buying used or renting one via a subscription service.
What we’re looking for
Type
There are generally two types of electric cargo bikes: front-loading models and rear-loading models. Front-loading models have storage options in front of the rider, like the box of a bakfiets, or a cycle truck, which typically has a smaller front wheel and a storage tray or rack on the head tube. Rear-loading cargo bikes allow the rider to store items behind their seat. One kind of rear-loader are longtails, or bikes with a longer rear wheelbase, which have storage options such as a rear rack that allows you to attach pannier bags or lash items to the frame. Midtail bikes, or more compact versions of longtails, have a shorter rear rack.
Class
Because e-bikes have the power to go faster than normal bikes, there are legal considerations to keep in mind when purchasing an e-cargo bike (or any electric bike). It’s best to check your local laws for the most up-to-date restrictions and allowances. As we explained in our guide to electric bikes, they are generally classified into three categories: Class 1 bikes allow you to reach 20 mph as you pedal; Class 2 bikes do the same, but they also have a throttle that propels you forward without having to pedal; Class 3 bikes allow you to reach 28 mph and are required to have a speedometer, and may or may not have a throttle.
Batteries
An e-cargo bike’s battery determines how far you’re able to travel. The bikes on this list are available as single-battery models or dual-battery options, which will make the bike heavier but allow you to use both batteries at the same time. Single-battery bikes will be less expensive, but some models listed below will have the option to purchase an additional battery to make it a dual-battery system.
Bike weight
Because of their bulk and heavy weight, e-cargo bikes should be kept on ground level and are not meant to be picked up or carried up stairs. We’ll note each bike’s weight.
Payload capacity
A bike’s overall weight allowance, which is generally hundreds of pounds, determines what’s possible (and safe) to carry on your e-cargo bike. This is important to keep in mind if you’re planning to frequently transport children or heavy items.
Notable accessories
Almost all of the bikes in this article offer add-ons and accessories such as baskets, child seats, pannier bags, and additional racks for more storage. Offerings vary by each mode, but we’ll list the most notable accessories available for each bike.
Best overall e-cargo bike
Type: Rear-loading (longtail) | Class: 1 | Batteries: Dual-battery system | Bike weight: 74 lbs. | Payload capacity: 440 lbs. Notable accessories: Child seats and panniers
Five experts recommended the Tern GSD as a fantastic choice for a cyclist looking to purchase a premium e-cargo bike. With a 440-pound maximum-gross-weight capacity and a dual battery system, it’s one of the most popular e-cargo bike models for hauling gear over long distances. Milo Kahney of Propel Electric Bikes in Brooklyn says the GSD is the shop’s best-selling e-cargo bike, and adds that it’s a popular model for cyclists looking to carry kids (with the addition of child seat attachments on the rear rack).
The GSD starts at $4,999, though there are different GSD models that cost up to $8,699. Ryan Johnson, an e-bike enthusiast and co-founder of Culdesac, says he prefers the GSD R14, a higher-end version of the GSD, which has a Rohloff hub that keeps the transmission shielded from the elements, such as dirt and water (unlike a regular derailleur gear). That hub also allows you to shift gears with the push of a button. Johnson likes that you can tilt the Tern upward and it can store vertically, which he says “makes it easier to go in an elevator or store in your apartment.”
Lavanya Sunder, an adviser for Wombi who has been car-free and riding electric bikes for four years, calls the GSD an “all-around stellar cargo bike, especially if you have a family and want to invest in something that will not break down and has really good maintenance,” adding that it’s the e-cargo bike she sees most frequently when biking around San Francisco. Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor at The Verge, likes the build quality of the GSD but notes it might be a bit pricey for most people and sees it as a higher-end option. “If you have more money to spend, go with the GSD,” he says.
Best (less expensive) overall e-cargo bike
Type: Rear-loading (longtail) | Class: 2 | Batteries: Single-battery system | Bike weight: 76.7 lbs. | Payload capacity: 350 lbs. | Notable accessories: Child seats and running boards
If you live in Brooklyn, as I do, there’s a good chance you’ve seen a RadWagon on the street ridden by a parent transporting two kids on the back seat along with panniers stuffed with groceries. That’s because the RadWagon is one of the most popular models for transporting children, much like the Tern GSD above. (Because of their similarities, Sunder calls the RadWagon a DTC version of the GSD, since it’s available for purchase directly from Rad Power’s site.) Hawkins of The Verge reviewed the RadWagon back in 2019 and called it “the SUV of e-bikes” due to its sturdiness and the confidence it inspired while riding.
At under $2,000, the RadWagon is a relatively affordable e-cargo bike, but the trade-off is its weight: It weighs just over 76 pounds, which is a couple pounds heavier than the GSD (74 pounds) and the XPedition (68 pounds) — so make sure you have a storage plan for the RadWagon, as it will be a bit heavier to move around. There is an even less expensive model on this list (the Lectric XPedition, below), but we think the RadWagon is the best blend of price and top-of-the-line features.
Best entry-level e-cargo bike
Type: Rear-loading (longtail) | Class: 2 | Batteries: Dual-battery system | Bike weight: 68 lbs. | Payload capacity: 450 lbs. | Notable accessories: Deck pads and additional racks
The XPedition is the bike we’d recommend to riders who are new to the e-bike space and are looking for an entry-level cargo model (it’s the most affordable option on this list). I’ve been testing the XPedition for the past four months and have used it for commuting, grocery-store trips, and just general riding. It has a long rear rack, which can be customized to feature baskets, seat cushions, panniers, and child seating. As someone who had previously only ridden non-cargo bikes, I found the transition to riding the XPedition very easy. The shifting is seamless and the pedal-assist system is straightforward. Plus, it has a throttle, which allows me to get a little boost at the stoplight when the light turns green, as opposed to just pedaling.
The two-battery system (the XPedition is also available with one battery) has given me enough power to commute to work (around six miles round-trip) for about a week and a half without recharging. Because of its affordability and ease of use, Johnson of Culdesac says he frequently recommends the XPedition to folks looking to buy their first e-bike. “The value that you get for the money is quite high,” he says. (Sunder, who also has spotted XPeditions on the streets of San Francisco, currently rides the Lectric XP Lite — a foldable model from the same brand that costs only $799 but does not have traditional cargo features like a built-in rear rack or wider box.)
Best splurge e-cargo bike
Type: Front-loading (bakfiets) | Class: 3 | Batteries: Dual-battery system | Bike weight: 81.8 lbs. | Payload capacity: 440 lbs. | Notable accessories: Box covers and child seats
Four experts recommended the Load 75 for its sleek design and hauling capabilities. It has the familiar design of traditional Dutch cargo bikes, with a large front rack that allows you to fit a basket or set of seats. Renson of Upway says the Load 75 is one of his favorite cargo models because of everything it can carry: He notes it can fit three kids in the front, is customizable with different accessories, and is just plain “beautiful.”
At upwards of $10,000, Riese & Müller bikes are on the highest end of e-cargo bike offerings — Upway general manager Marta Anadón describes the brand as “the Mercedes-Benz of e-cargo bikes.” But Johnson calls these bakfiets models the most viable car replacements simply because of how much they can haul. The front boxes on bakfiets like the Load 75 allow you to fit more than you could by strapping them to rear racks on smaller e-cargo bikes, like the XPedition, GSD, or RadWagon.
Best e-cargo bike for families
Type: Front-loading (bakfiets) | Class: 3 | Batteries: Single-battery system | Bike weight: 110 lbs. | Payload capacity: 550 lbs. | Notable accessories: Rain covers and luggage nets
Anadón and Renson of Upway say that this bakfiets model from Urban Arrow is a best seller and often sold out on their site, particularly in the commercial space and among riders looking to buy e-cargo bikes for their businesses, whether it be a delivery service or one that relies on two-wheeled urban transportation. But, like the Load 75, the Family is great for passengers too. Chris Nolte, founder of Propel Bikes, says it’s the best option for families thanks to its 600-pound weight capacity. Johnson says the Urban Arrow Family is the most common e-cargo bike recommendation he makes. “It works great for families and for folks without families. It can easily fit two or three kids in the front box, but I don’t have kids — I have a dog who loves it. You can also put an adult in there and quite a lot of groceries. It’s just phenomenal,” he says.
Most lightweight e-cargo bike
Type: Compact rear-loading (midtail) | Class: 1 | Batteries: Single-battery system | Bike weight: 58.7 lbs. | Payload capacity: 440 lbs. | Notable accessories: Additional racks and panniers
The Benno Boost comes recommended by Anadón, who likes its bigger wheels (24″ x 2.6″ ) compared to the smaller sets on the other bikes on this list. Anadón still considers it a longtail bike, since it has a rear rack and allows her to carry anything with her, but says the bigger wheel set allows her to go faster and “provides more stability” during her ride. It’s also the lightest model (58.7 pounds) on this list. Given its specs, the Boost will feel similar to a non-cargo e-bike, so this is a great option for riders searching for a lightweight model that can still carry things but aren’t necessarily looking to transport kids or bulkier items, which a bakfiets would be better for.
Our experts
• Marta Anadón, general manager at Upway
• Andrew Hawkins, transportation editor at The Verge
• Ryan Johnson, e-bike enthusiast and co-founder of Culdesac
• Milo Kahney, sales specialist at Propel Electric Bikes in Brooklyn
• Chris Nolte, founder of Propel Electric Bikes
• Maxime Renson, general manager at Upway
• Lavanya Sunder, adviser for Wombi
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