{"id":45853,"date":"2023-01-26T14:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-01-26T13:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=713776"},"modified":"2023-01-26T14:34:19","modified_gmt":"2023-01-26T13:34:19","slug":"electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Electric cargo bikes: load-carrying ebikes explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Paul Norman\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Almost every area of the bicycle market has been electrified, with the best electric bikes<\/a> encompassing the full range of bicycle styles.<\/p>\n

An electric motor is a particularly useful addition to a cargo bike. Cargo bikes<\/a> tend to be heavy to start with and are designed to carry yet more weight. The assistance provided by an electric bike motor<\/a> can up usability and comfort for a wider range of riders, use cases and fitness levels.<\/p>\n

Here, we\u2019ll cover everything you need to know about electric cargo bikes: what they are, how they work, what they\u2019re useful for and their advantages and disadvantages.<\/p>\n

What is an electric cargo bike?<\/h2>\n
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A longer wheelbase and substantial rack add load-carrying capacity to a cargo bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

A cargo bike is a bike designed to carry loads. Most feature a longer wheelbase than a standard bike to increase stability, as well as a rack or hopper to place items on or in.<\/p>\n

A cargo bike will normally have a sturdy load-carrying area or rack instead of a standard bolt-on pannier rack. This is usually built into the frame and is non-removable.<\/p>\n

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An electric motor helps lower the effort needed to pedal a cargo bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

An electric cargo bike adds an electric motor and battery to a cargo bike. As with other electric bikes, this provides extra power and assistance up to a speed at which, governed by electric bike laws<\/a>, the assistance has to cut out.<\/p>\n

In most of the world, that\u2019s 25kph\/15mph, whereas in the USA it\u2019s normally 20mph. You usually have to pedal for the motor to provide assistance, although some electric cargo bikes might be throttle operated.<\/p>\n

Check out our electric bike basics<\/a> guide for more information.<\/p>\n

What can you use an electric cargo bike for?<\/h2>\n
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An electric cargo bike such as the Raleigh Pro electric trike can carry large loads of up to 100kg in its case.<\/span><\/figcaption> Raleigh<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Electric cargo bikes are a really versatile option for a range of load-lugging duties.<\/p>\n

The most obvious is carrying cargo that is too heavy or bulky for a regular bicycle.<\/p>\n

A 2019 report from the UK Department for Transport<\/a> found that around 16 per cent of all vehicle miles on UK roads were driven in vans.<\/p>\n

It also found a 50 per cent increase in van trips made on urban roads in 10 years, with 23 per cent of total van miles being for delivery and distribution.<\/p>\n

Load sizes are getting smaller and routing less efficient as customers demand faster delivery from services such as Amazon Prime.<\/p>\n

For short urban deliveries, electric cargo bikes provide a viable alternative<\/a> to motorised vehicles. They\u2019re as fast as a van, non-polluting, cheaper and parking is less of an issue.<\/p>\n

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An electric cargo bike is a great option to transport children (and dogs).<\/span><\/figcaption> Bosch<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For everyday riders, electric cargo bikes also make transporting children or other passengers a practical alternative to car journeys for school runs and other trips.<\/p>\n

Built-in seats with harnesses and rain covers make for a safe, comfortable environment.<\/p>\n

Electric cargo bikes are also a good option for shopping, their ease of parking and navigation through crowded streets again making them a good alternative to car journeys. Camping trips and other excursions are also a possibility.<\/p>\n

In fact, an electric cargo bike could provide a car replacement<\/a> for many users.<\/p>\n

Electric cargo bike vs non-assisted cargo bike \u2013 the pros and cons explained<\/h2>\n
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Adding a motor makes it much easier to get around on a cargo bike.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

For moving larger loads around, the electric assistance of an e-cargo bike makes riding a lot easier and makes travelling longer distances a more practical option. In fact, there are many more cargo bike options available with a motor than without.<\/p>\n

The frequent starts and stops for traffic in urban settings and on delivery runs make getting a cargo bike \u2013 whether assisted or non-assisted \u2013 moving from a standstill harder than a steady run.<\/p>\n

Likewise, any hills you encounter on your ride will be a lot easier with electrical assistance.<\/p>\n

But the motor and battery add yet more weight to an electric bike over a non-assisted bike.<\/p>\n

Any cargo bike tends to be heavy, due to the extended wheelbase (which means more frame material), substantially built carry area, and chunky wheels and tyres. The frame is often made of steel too.<\/p>\n

The Surly Big Dummy cargo bike has a long wheelbase.<\/p>\n

Even the lightest cargo bikes start off at over 20kg; 30kg is more typical, even before you add extras such as seats or a box. In contrast, a normal bike is likely to weigh well under 20kg, even if it\u2019s heavily built.<\/p>\n

A typical electric cargo bike motor will add just under 3kg, while you can expect even a low-capacity battery to double that. A high-capacity battery can weigh over 4kg, so a double-battery configuration could add over 11kg to the cargo bike\u2019s weight.<\/p>\n

Riese & M\u00fcller\u2019s electric cargo bikes weigh around 35kg and the electric Cube Cargo Hybrid can weigh close to 50kg, for example.<\/p>\n

Electric cargo bikes are built tough, however, and you can expect to be able to carry a load of over 200kg (including the rider) on many models. That\u2019s a lot of mass to get moving, and the motor and battery \u2013 even with their additional weight over a non-assisted cargo bike \u2013 are definitely an asset.<\/p>\n

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Motor systems for electric bikes can be expensive.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Electric bikes are also, generally speaking, quite expensive.<\/p>\n

A quality electric bike motor system is likely to increase the price of an electric cargo bike by around \u00a31,000 over a pedal-only cargo bike.<\/p>\n

You can expect higher maintenance costs for an electric bike over a normal bike too, due to the extra wear on the drivetrain, the possibility of electrical issues and the impact of the extra weight on tyres, wheels and brakes.<\/p>\n

With a heavy frame and often sporting small wheels with chunky tyres on a long wheelbase, don\u2019t expect a fast or lively ride from a cargo bike, whether electric or not.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, an electric cargo bike can be surprisingly agile and will enable you to zip around stationary traffic and through bike-only shortcuts to get to your destination faster.<\/p>\n

What about battery range?<\/h2>\n
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A high-capacity battery, and possibly a spare, is needed for intensive use.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon Bromley<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If an electric cargo bike is going to be used extensively, it\u2019s possible the battery won\u2019t have enough capacity to last an entire day.<\/p>\n

This means you\u2019ll either need to swap in a spare battery, recharge during the work day (which can take several hours), or suffer through the arduous task of pedalling without assistance.<\/p>\n

The stop-start nature of urban riding means the battery is likely to be drained more quickly as well.<\/p>\n

Types of electric cargo bike<\/h2>\n
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Longer wheelbases up carrying capacity.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon Bromley \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Electric cargo bikes typically have an extended wheelbase over a conventional bike. That allows the inclusion of a cargo-carrying area either fore or aft of the rider.<\/p>\n

Often, cargo bikes will have smaller wheels than a standard bike, or different-sized wheels front and rear, so the load can be carried lower on the frame and the centre of gravity of the bike is lower.<\/p>\n

Both of these design features improve handling compared to strapping a load to a conventional bike.<\/p>\n

Many cargo bikes enable you to add different load carriers to suit different uses.<\/p>\n

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The Cube Cargo Hybrid\u2019s hopper can be fitted with seats to transport children.<\/span><\/figcaption> Cube Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Cube\u2019s Cargo Hybrid, for example, enables you to fit seats inside its front hopper so you can carry children. The Mycle Cargo<\/a> comes with footrests and removable pads for its rear rack, so you can carry passengers. You can also fit child seats to it.<\/p>\n

Cargo bikes with a built-in box often go by the Dutch name bakfiets (which translates as \u2018box bike\u2019). It\u2019s a popular way to carry goods and luggage, but also enables you to fit seats for children for the school run and other excursions. Bakfiets<\/a> is a brand name for a Dutch maker of cargo bikes as well.<\/p>\n

Other electric cargo bike designs, such as the Surly Skid Loader, include a beefed-up front and\/or rear rack on a more conventional, shorter-wheelbase bike frame.<\/p>\n

That has the advantage of manoeuvrability, but may limit how much you can carry. They\u2019re generally less stable too, because a poorly distributed rear load may tend to shift the bike\u2019s centre of mass behind the rear-wheel axis and a large front-end load can affect steering.<\/p>\n

Electric cargo tricycles<\/h2>\n
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Three wheels make for greater stability when riding.<\/span><\/figcaption> Solskin \/ Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Not all electric cargo bikes are technically bikes, because tricycles with three wheels are available as well.<\/p>\n

The configuration usually includes two wheels at the front, as with the Raleigh Pro Electric Cargo Trike. This enables the fitment of a large front container for goods or passengers (this is sometimes referred to as a \u2018tadpole\u2019 trike).<\/p>\n

An advantage is that stability isn\u2019t a problem and it\u2019s easier to park because you don\u2019t need a kickstand.<\/p>\n

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The Cube Trike Concept cargo bike is designed for better handling and visibility.<\/span><\/figcaption> Cube Bikes<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Cube\u2019s Trike Concept electric cargo bike has double wheels at the rear and a mid-frame pivot so you can lean into corners. Cube says having the load at the rear and a conventional-looking front means it\u2019s easier to steer and see where you\u2019re going.<\/p>\n

In some cases, such as the Tern Quick Haul<\/a>, you can hitch up a trailer for even more carrying capacity.<\/p>\n

Electric cargo bike motors<\/h2>\n
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A rear-hub motor is an alternative to a centrally mounted unit.<\/span><\/figcaption> George Scott \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most electric cargo bikes have their motors mounted in the bottom bracket, where it\u2019s central and can provide power to the rear wheel through the cargo bike\u2019s drivetrain.<\/p>\n

Other electric cargo bikes may have a rear-hub motor \u2013 the Mycle Cargo<\/a> is an example.<\/p>\n

Recognising the potential of the electric cargo bike market, both Shimano Steps and Bosch, brand leaders in electric bike motors, have released cargo-specific versions of their electric bike drive systems.<\/p>\n

These have high torque output and a power delivery curve that\u2019s geared to getting the extra weight of a loaded electric cargo bike moving.<\/p>\n

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Bosch Cargo Line motors are tuned for cargo bike use.<\/span><\/figcaption> Bosch<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Bosch\u2019s Cargo Line motors give 85Nm torque and 250 watts of assistance, and can provide up to 400 per cent of the rider\u2019s power output. They also provide walk assist and a hill hold function so your bike won\u2019t roll back downhill if you stop. Bosch offers an anti-lock braking system for electric cargo bikes using its system.<\/p>\n

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Shimano also makes motors designed for cargo bike use.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Shimano has a range of three Steps cargo bike motors with 250 watts power output, either with 85Nm or 65Nm of torque. Like Bosch, it offers ABS.<\/p>\n

Shimano also has automatic gear shifts as an option and free shift, where you can initiate a gear change when you\u2019re not pedalling. Shimano\u2019s drivetrain tech includes Linkglide, designed specifically to be more durable for electric bike use.<\/p>\n

Other brands provide motors that are fitted to electric bikes, although they may not be specifically designed or tuned for high-load, low-speed cargo bike use.<\/p>\n

In the EU, a separate class of electric cargo bikes can be powered by more powerful 1,000-watt motors and throttle operated rather than requiring pedal input to provide assistance.<\/p>\n

Riders must hold a licence to operate them and, as electric bike law dictates for other ebikes, assistance is speed-limited at 25kph.<\/p>\n

Which brands make electric cargo bikes?<\/h2>\n
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Tern makes several different electric cargo bikes.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tern Bicycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Electric cargo bikes are sold by quite a range of brands. Some are well-known, but others are smaller outfits that specialise in cargo bikes. Brands with an extensive range of electric cargo bikes include Riese & M\u00fcller from Germany, Tern from Taiwan and Surly in the US.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve already mentioned Dutch brand Bakfiets, which makes exclusively electric and pedal-only cargo bikes.<\/p>\n

Some big players see the potential in electric cargo bikes too; Raleigh and Cube sell a range of models and Specialized is about to launch its own electric cargo bikes.<\/p>\n

Accessories<\/h2>\n
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The Mycle electric cargo bike can be fitted with two batteries to increase its range.<\/span><\/figcaption> Steve Sayers \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Many electric cargo bikes offer the ability to fit more than one battery to up the bike\u2019s range.<\/p>\n

Shimano, for example, has opened up its Steps electric motors so you can fit multiple batteries<\/a>, including high-capacity options from third-party battery makers.<\/p>\n

That opens up very high battery capacity options of up to 3,000Wh from four batteries, to give the range for intensive day-long use.<\/p>\n

Often, there\u2019s a variety of accessories sold by the cargo ebike\u2019s maker. If the bike doesn\u2019t come ready-equipped to carry cargo, the brand may sell purpose-made boxes or open baskets.<\/p>\n

You may be able to buy seats for transporting children or adults, rain covers and lockable tops. Some electric cargo bikes have been designed to accept standard accessories such as child seats. We mentioned fitting a bike trailer<\/a> above.<\/p>\n

Many electric cargo bikes come ready-fitted with other useful accessories such as a kickstand, which needs to be extra-robust to handle the weight of the bike and its load. Often, you\u2019ll get lights<\/a> too, which may be powered by the motor\u2019s battery.<\/p>\n

What else to consider?<\/h2>\n
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The Tern Quick Haul can be stood on its rack for storage.<\/span><\/figcaption> Tern Bicycles<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The main issue with an electric cargo bike is where to store it. Most are substantially larger than a standard bike, so you need extra room, particularly if you have boxes attached for load-lugging.<\/p>\n

The Tern Quick Haul is designed so you can stand it on its rear rack when not in use, but you may need a dedicated storage area such as a garage to store an electric cargo bike.<\/p>\n

Where you store the bike needs to be on the flat too \u2013 you\u2019re not going to want to lug a 30kg electric bike up stairs. Walk mode can make off-bike manoeuvring easier.<\/p>\n

You may also need an electric power output close to where you keep your electric bike. Many electric bikes have removable batteries, so you can take them indoors to charge, but some may not. It may be more convenient anyway to charge the battery in situ.<\/p>\n

Charge times can be several hours, so if your bike is used intensively, you may need spare batteries to keep the motor running. Electric bike batteries are usually quite expensive, so spares will add significantly to the purchase cost.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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By Paul Norman Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 12:00 am Almost every area of the bicycle market has been electrified, with the best electric bikes encompassing the full range of bicycle styles. An electric motor is a particularly useful addition to a cargo bike. Cargo bikes tend to be heavy to start with and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":45854,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"13"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained.jpg",1920,1280,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/43\/2023\/01\/electric-cargo-bikes-load-carrying-ebikes-explained.jpg",1920,1280,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Paul Norman Published: Thursday, 26 January 2023 at 12:00 am Almost every area of the bicycle market has been electrified, with the best electric bikes encompassing the full range of bicycle styles. An electric motor is a particularly useful addition to a cargo bike. Cargo bikes tend to be heavy to start with and…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/45853"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45854"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45853"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45853"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}