Best Electric Cargo Bikes of 2024
These picks for the best electric cargo bikes of 2024 have the best combinations of value and features across several styles of cargo bikes on the market today. In addition to these featured picks, you can check out all 73 of our electric cargo bikes reviews listed here. Comparing electric bikes is our specialty, and Electric Bike Review has the most complete and impartial reviews in the industry. Since 2012, we’ve helped millions of people discover electric bikes that fit their lifestyle, needs, and budget. Let’s jump in!
Table of Contents:
- Best Premium Cargo Electric Bikes
- Best Value Cargo Electric Bikes
- Best Affordable Cargo Electric Bikes
- Promoted Cargo Electric Bikes
- Honorable Mention Cargo Electric Bikes
Things to Consider:
- Intended Use. What do you plan to carry on the electric cargo bike? Is it important to see your precious cargo (kids) up front? Will you carry heavy loads or climb steep hills requiring a stronger motor? Will you need wider tires for stability on gravel or a larger battery (or two) that can handle longer distances?
- Modular Design. Does the ebike have the attachments and accessories you will need over time? Can it transform to new use cases as your needs change? Having access to purpose-built modules made to fit the bike can provide future functionality to extend the useful life of the bike.
- Transportation and Storage. Will you be riding the cargo ebike from a single location? Vehicle mounted bike racks cannot carry box style cargo bikes, trikes, and most longtails (smaller mid-tails may be OK). Do you have enough space to securely store the cargo bike when it’s not in use? Some longtails can be stored vertically to save space. Would you be OK storing it outside? If so… make sure the battery is removable so you can protect it from extreme heat and cold and keep it charged.
- Your Budget. Electric cargo bikes are expensive and accessory prices add up, but they are much cheaper than using a car. These are versatile workhorses that can last for years and evolve as your needs change… especially if you spend more for quality components and a reliable drive system from a company with a multi-year program to sell replacement battery packs. For most cargo ebike owners, it’s wise to view the ebike as a long-term investment. Get the features you need and quality that will last.
Best Premium Cargo Electric Bikes for 2024
If money is less of a concern, and you want one of the best electric cargo bikes on the market right now, the Xtracycle Edgerunner eSwoop is an excellent choice. The company that makes this bike, Xtracycle, is a longtime player and innovator in the e-cargo space. Even before electric bikes became mainstream, they produced a kit that would transform a non-electric city bike frame into a longtail cargo bike. The company name “extra cycle” references this original product… and they have only continued innovating in recent years. What’s the next step once you’ve got a sturdy longtail frame? Well, make it easier to ride… easier to move those groceries, supplies, children, second passengers, and the heavier frame itself by adding a motor! Xtracycle remains a relatively small, nimble, independent company that is leading the category. This makes them responsive and lovable, but sometimes more difficult to find in person at independent electric bicycle dealers. They chose the Bosch mid-drive motor system because of its power, dynamic pedal assist, overall efficiency, and extensive network of dealers who can provide service. Of course, using the best hardware means charging a bit of a price premium. The company sells a wide range of accessories to use with the purpose built eSwoop. Large pannier bags that rest on optional running boards, a child-surround bar with double tubing to protect fingers, front basket that attaches to the steer tube vs. handlebars (so the weight doesn’t impact steering or tip the bike when parked), a heavy-duty double leg kickstand, powerful hydraulic disc brakes, reflective tires, bottle cage mounting points, and a double battery option for long range riding! I love that the frame is an approachable step-thru, but still very sturdy, to reduce frame flex when loaded up with heavy gear, because it’s made from chromoly steel and has additional tubing. I love that the larger 26″ front wheel smooths out the ride by offering a lower attack angle while the smaller 20″ rear wheel makes loading cargo easier and riding more stable. Other highlights include the wide 11-42 tooth 10-speed cassette that makes starting and climbing a lot easier, extra large 180mm brake rotors that improve mechanical advantage and cooling, and the Bosch Performance Line CX motor itself which offers the highest torque in the Bosch lineup. Tis is an all around excellent product that comes in two colors, but only one frame size (as per most cargo models). Backswept handlebars and ergonomic grips improve body position and comfort, regardless of rider height. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Xtracycle Edgerunner eSwoop Review
A long-tailed cargo bike that comes in both a step-through and a high-step frame, both very strong, purpose built, versatile, and smooth, optional Bosch CX or Bosch Speed motor, as well as tons of available accessories. The bike features a lot of thoughtful touches like battery integrated lights, optional dual battery…...
Best Value Cargo Electric Bikes for 2024
Not everyone has $4.5k to spend on an electric cargo bike, but there are plenty of options that still offer great quality and value for less. The Magnum Payload only costs $2.4k and comes with many of the accessories that other cargo models charge extra for. You’ll get fenders, a bamboo deck for the rear rack, a steer-tube mounted front basket, running boards to support panniers or passenger feet, and a suspension seat post for comfort. Further improving comfort are high volume 2.4″ wide 26″ tires front and rear. These lower the attack angle to smooth out bumps, but they also raise the rear rack a bit compared to others on this list. Brakes are very important when you’re hauling heavier loads and dealing with a powerful 500 watt motor, so Magnum chose large 180mm hydraulic disc brakes that provide excellent stopping power and have built-in motor inhibitors for added control. Their hub motor drive system isn’t as fancy as some of the mid-drive models, but the bike comes with a throttle in addition to pedal assist. This makes it easier to start and gives you a break from pedaling at times. My favorite part about the Payload is that it’s made by Magnum, which has one of the largest dealer networks and best support staff in the industry. Electric cargo bikes are long and heavy… especially longtails! Having a dealer to visit for test rides, accessories, and ongoing service makes a big difference. Considering all that you get here, I consider the price point to be great and since I’ve been reviewing Magnum ebikes since late 2014, they’ve earned my trust. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Magnum Payload Review
A long-tail speed pedelec cargo ebike from Magnum that is also feature rich with fenders, rear long rack, front cargo basket, suspension seat post, tool-free adjustable stem, competitively priced at just $2,499, and uses a powerful drivetrain and electrical system. Driven by a powerful Das-Kit rear hub-drive motor that is rated at a 500 watts,…...
Best Affordable Cargo Electric Bikes for 2024
Okay, if you’re excited about electric cargo bikes but limited on funds, this next ebike is the best choice in my opinion. They don’t have as many dealers as some of the more expensive brandsd, but they do have partnerships with mobile bike shops (as well as some of their own delivery vans) that makes it easier to receive and enjoy. My pick for best affordable e-cargo bike is the Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4! This is a second-generation product, having been improved from the popular original, with a brand new tire size made especially for the use case of hauling. Rad works closely with many of their suppliers to get co-branded hardware (lights, tires, seats) with special features. In this case, they’ve got smaller 22″ wheels with extra-wide plus sized 3″ wide tires. The result is a wheel that has a medium attack angle, lots of stability side to side, and extra air for cushion comfort. Oh, and the tires have puncture resistant lining to reduce flats :) Rad has the lower rear rack that’s easier to load up with kids and cargo, but not so low that their derailleur or optional running boards hit the curb if you get too close. I love that the RadWagon 4 comes with fenders, an adjustable angle stem, swept back handlebar, ergonomic grips, integrated lights front and rear (with blinking rear light mode!), and reflective tires. They really went to town here in terms of safety… and the white frame is probably the most visible. Unlike most of the other affordable cargo ebikes I’ve reviewed, this one comes in three colorways! You can get high-visibility orange, black, or the white shown in the photos. The approachable frame is easy to stand over and the telescoping seat tube (with two tube sections) provides lots of options for rider height and leg length. Rad is known for creating bikes that work well for most riders while limiting the number of “trade offs” to keep prices low. In this case, the mechanical disc brakes are one of those sacrifices. While they do have motor inhibitors and large 180mm rotors, the mechanical line often requires more hand strength to pull than hydraulic and can get gunked up with water and dust over time. The bike itself is also more heavy, and the cadence sensor and throttle design aren’t as dynamic as a multi-sensor mid-drive. Until recently, the original RadWagon (which I reviewed on multiple occasions) was my best affordable pick. If you find that product used, it’s still a great ebike… and it just uses the larger 26″ wheels vs. 20″ here. I appreciate that all of the current-gen Rad ebikes share the same battery design that’s interchangeable, and also use the same racks and accessories… for the most part. Despite being “cheap” this brand has gained widespread brand recognition and should hold its value better than some others at the same price level. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 Review
An affordable but refined electric cargo bike with custom 22" x 3.0" tires that improve stability and comfort while still keeping the cargo holds low and easy to load. Approachable but stiff mid-step frame comes in three beautiful colors. Reflective tires and quality integrated lights help keep you visible and safe. Powerful fat-bike rated 80nm geared hub motor provides excellent power for starting, hauling gear or…...
Promoted Cargo Electric Bike for 2024
Deja vu… Rad Power Bikes pays EBR to have their cargo bike promoted on the website. So, they’ve won a spot based on performance and bought additional exposure on this list by supporting the site. it’s worth noting that I only invite companies with a good track record to become advertisers here, and that I reviewed their product before extending the invitation. Not all categories on the site have sponsors, and I do my very best to be objective here. Since I’ve already described why I think the RadWagon 4 is the best affordable electric cargo bike right now, I’ll simply add that I appreciate that they are selling internationally now. RPB is a US company, but they’ve launched second and third headquarters in Canada and Europe! The product may be setup slightly differently to meet legislation in each geography, but the frame, accessories, and overall experience should be very similar. The fact that Rad has become so successful, is a testament to their quality, customer service, and designs. They aren’t just making a product that works and then lowering the price… they are innovating in the space with wheel size, safety, and modular accessories so families and friends can get a couple of bikes and share parts. I want to highlight the torque arm that Rad uses to improve frame strength where the motor axle connects in the rear, as well as the external controller that reduces heat buildup with the battery pack, and the USB charging port that is built into their LCD display units to charge portable electronics. The bikes, and this bike in particular, are very well done. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 Review
An affordable but refined electric cargo bike with custom 22" x 3.0" tires that improve stability and comfort while still keeping the cargo holds low and easy to load. Approachable but stiff mid-step frame comes in three beautiful colors. Reflective tires and quality integrated lights help keep you visible and safe. Powerful fat-bike rated 80nm geared hub motor provides excellent power for starting, hauling gear or…...
Honorable Mention Cargo Electric Bikes for 2024
This list would not be complete without mentioning Tern! This company got its start in the non-electric folding bicycle space years ago. Some of the founding team members got their start at another famous folding bicycle company called Dahon! Maybe that doesn’t mean a lot to you, but for me it’s exciting and really speaks to the quality and depth of design experience at hand. Tern makes two cargo models that come in a few different flavors, depending on the drivetrain you choose (cassette or internally geared hub). You can choose the longer GSD (get stuff done) or mid-sized HSD (haul stuff daily). Both come with reflective puncture resistant tires, premium hydraulic disc brakes, fenders, telescoping seat posts to suite a wide range of riders, multiple colors, and some cool folding elements such as the handlebar. What really wowed me about the bikes is how they can be stood upright on their tails to save space in the elevator, closet, or garage! Tern is approaching the cargo category as if it were the all around city ebike space. They only make folding and unique-cargo as I’ll call it. Sure, the cargo models are longer than a traditional city bike and the 20″ wheels are smaller… making cargo easy to load like many of the others on this list, but they look more intentional. Unlike the originators in the longtail space that actually evolved out of kits that would connect to a normal city frame and extend the tail for cargo… Tern is completely purpose-built and they achieve excellent weight distribution, stiffness, and ride quality as a result. Over time, more companies are going in this same direction. Benno Bikes and Rad Power Bikes come to mind. With the Tern HSD S8i you get a compact cargo bike that uses one of the best drive systems and is designed by one of the best companies around. It’s easier to find at local shops, easier to service and get parts for, and it comes with a suspension fork… which is very rare and unique. As someone who isn’t a huge fan of the super small wheel size, which offers a higher attack angle and introduces more bumpy feel, I love that they chose to target comfort in this way. If you’re someone with just one child, or you know that you’ll be riding without a lot of cargo, or you’re limited on length space, the HSD could be perfect for you. If you need that long-tail for two child seats, check out the GSD instead. Click the image or title below to visit the full review with more details, or add it to your compare list by clicking the box below.
Tern HSD S8i Review
A high-quality midtail electric cargo bike that can stand vertically to save space! Available in eight colors (four for the S8i configuration) but only one frame size. Slack seat tube angle and two seat post segments provide a range of fit options for short and tall riders alike.. Lighter and less expensive than the Tern GSD model, the HSD (which stands for Haul…...
Another popular cargo category is box bikes, and I’ve listed some of my top choices here. I may add longer descriptions of these models here in the future, but rest assured that each of my top three choices in this list still have a full writeup and video review with photos and specs, so you can get all the info you need and even compare to these longtail and midtail electric cargo bikes before making your final choice ;)
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