Best Electric Cargo Bikes 2021

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The RadWagon 4 is a sturdy and eye-catching cargo e-bike from Rad Power Bikes that combines great value with great performance. Rad Power Bikes went with a slightly more conventional two wheel design that provided our team with predictable and nimble (for a cargo bike) handling characteristics. With a wide array of modular accessories the RadWagon 4 can easily tailor to your lifestyle and needs.

The Radwagon 4 is a 7-speed cargo e-bike with a 750W brushless geared hub motor and a 48V, 14Ah battery. When we conducted the full review of the RadWagon 4, the 14Ah battery impressed our team as it lasted 27.91 miles on maximum pedal assist. The 750W motor produces up to 80 Nm of torque which is perfect for boosting up steep hills and holding speed with heavy cargo loads.

We all agreed that the RadWagon 4 handled well and that it managed its power and battery life in a consistent and predictable way. The RadWagon 4 has a lot of characteristics and attributes at a competitive price point which makes it a solid option for anybody looking for a sturdy, budget-friendly cargo e-bike.

The RadWagon 4 has some interesting characteristics such as its custom 22” x 3.0” tires from VEE Tire Company. The uncommon tire and wheel dimensions made for a great combination of low stand over heights, a lower center of gravity, and good handling. The 3.0” width gave us ample traction and made the occasional off road stretch comfortable and predictable.

The RadWagon 4’s refined handling characteristics, torque and stability makes it good for dropping kids off at school or picking up groceries for the week ahead. When it comes to bang for your buck, the RadWagon 4 is at the top of our best electric cargo bike list.

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The Xtracycle RFA cargo e-bike is designed to perform in just about any situation. After all, RFA stands for “ready for anything.” Based on the RFA’s specs and features, our team thinks that Xtracycle did a good job ensuring that was the case.

Xtracycle wanted to create a cargo e-bike that adapts towards the user’s needs, and it’s the small details and features that added up to successfully create that experience. Take the RFA’s movable wheel dropouts for example — these adjustable dropouts allow riders to shorten or increase the RFA’s wheelbase. The range in wheelbase sizes can allow riders to set up the RFA to be more nimble, or more stable.

Other great features and components include Shimano’s EP8 630Wh 250W drive unit and the SRAM NX 11-speed drivetrain, both of which allow riders to scale steep climbs even with lots of cargo. The RFA also has a mount for an additional battery which will come in handy for those riding a farther distance or carrying a heavier load. The RFA’s chromoly steel frame also has a lot of mounting bosses perfect for utilizing every nook and cranny on the bike.The RFA comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, which also has a black coating to protect the frame against rust over time.

The RFA is spec’d with premium components and there is a little bit of a cost because of that. The RFA retails for $5,000 and we see that being a little expensive for some consumers. However, the RFA is a great option for those who don’t mind spending a little extra cash for a durable, no shortcuts cargo e-bike that’s truly “Ready for anything”.

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Blix did a really good job designing their cargo e-bike, the Packa Genie. This e-bike is a great all-rounder when it comes to its cargo capabilities thanks to the overbuilt frame and its large variety of accessories and mountable extras. The Packa is constantly brought up in a positive manner and it’s easy to see why.

The Blix Packa Genie is a durable, safety oriented cargo e-bike that’s ready to lug up to a 400 lb payload. Not only did the Packa impress us with its design, it also impressed us with its competitive $1,600 price point. The Packa just feels like a good value as it’s stocked with a 7-speed Shimano Acera drivetrain, has two 48V, 12.8Ah (614Wh) batteries, and uses a powerful 750W motor: all things we’ve seen on e-bikes above $2000.

The high volume 24” x 2.4” tires offer improved stability and allow the Packa to perform relative to the terrain thanks to their high volume. The 35 to 65 PSI range gives riders a large range in feeling and traction which adds to the well roundedness of the Packa overall.

The Packa also comes with a dual battery system for those looking to ride farther. I really like that Blix includes the secondary battery with the bike, as opposed to having to purchase it separately. The dual 614Wh battery setup offers up to a 80 mile range per charge which makes it our top pick for the long haul.

The Packa has just about everything we look for in an electric cargo bike. Its powerful thanks to its 750W motor, and it has puncture resistant tires, and a wide gear range for steep hills. The Packa also has up to 200 different accessory setups which is more than enough to tailor to most people’s lifestyles.

We think the Blix Packa is a great choice regardless of what style of cargo riding you are doing, especially when you take into account all that you’re getting for $1,600; it’s a worthy addition to our best electric cargo bike list.

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The Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus is a staple in the electric bike scene thanks to its price point, versatility and unique design.

The RadRunner Plus is a smooth sailing single-person utility e-bike with 20” x 3.3” high volume tires, a 750W geared hub motor and a 300 lb payload capacity. It also comes with a host of accessories, perfect for setting up the bike for your lifestyle.

While some other bikes on our best cargo e-bikes list offer lots of accessories, it’s the RadRunner series really utilizes the modular accessories to the fullest. The Runner has 330 total accessory combinations, some of which we think every RadRunner owner should have.

Take the RadRunner Center Console for example. The console is a 12 liter storage unit that fits into the lowstep area between your legs. Not only does this accessory fit snugly within the frame, it provides a phone mount, cup holder, and a good amount of storage space. The location also makes for a lower center of gravity for the cargo being carried.

The RadRunner Plus is designed to easily manage heavy loads, and it does just that thanks to its 80 Nm of torque, 3.3” tires, and low center of gravity. Even when weighed down the Runner is plenty stable and strong to get you and your cargo to your destination smoothly and efficiently.

The RadRunner Plus isn’t confined to one category, and can easily double as a commuter if need be. Its versatility adds to the overall utility of the bike and we see this being our “jack of all trades” choice for our 2021 best electric cargo bikes.

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Surly has been creating quality frames out of Minnesota since 1998 and they really showed off their experience with the Big Easy cargo e-bike. Surly set out with the mission to make the Big Easy as versatile and durable as possible. Surly also put a big emphasis on creating good handling characteristics. Because of that, you’ll find components such as the Cane Creek ViscoSet damping headset and grippy 26” x 2.5” Surly ExtraTerrestrial tires; both offer improved handling and overall performance. With three frame sizes to choose from, there is a lot to love with the Big Easy.

The Big Easy uses a Bosch Performance CX mid-drive motor and a Bosch PowerPack 500 battery, one of the smoothest feeling and best performing motor and battery combinations on the market. Not only does the motor provide 85 Nm torque, the mentioned PowerPack 500 battery provides a respectable battery life that’ll allow riders to get further with more peace of mind.

The Big Easy is a great choice for the IPA drinking, mountain bike riding, outdoorsy type who values durability and stability. The Big Easy is truly going to be appreciated by those who love to ride bikes in general. I mean, how many cargo e-bikes do you see come with a dropper post? The Big Easy isn’t just a cargo e-bike, it’s a fun bike to ride in general which makes it that much more of a great alternative to a car.

I see the Big Easy as the outdoorsman’s cargo e-bike. Those who are comfortable riding mountain bikes and riding offroad will feel at home on the Big Easy.

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The Spicy Curry excels at carrying heavy loads smoothly without feeling unbalanced or unstable. With an impressive max payload of 440 lbs, a Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive motor and a 10 gear range, the Spicy Curry is designed to be a very capable and well equipped cargo e-bike.

Yuba included their innovative “Steady Stay Technology” on the Spicy Curry, which allows the bike to corner well under a heavy load. The Steady Stay Technology implements continuous “stays” that help with overall frame stiffness and rigidity.

The Spicy Curry is going to be a great choice for families and individuals alike. Its powerful Bosch mid-drive motor and spacious design makes for a wide range of cargo lugging capabilities. The frame comes in one size and fits riders from 4’7” all the way up to 6’4”, which is a little bigger range than we are used to seeing.

Riders who value high quality componentry and don’t mind spending a little bit more cash are going to like Spicy Curry. Coming in at just below $5000 we understand how this could be a little steep for some consumers.

Another positive trait of the Spicy Curry is the fact that it comes from a well established company that’s been manufacturing cargo bikes since 2007. Yuba’s manufactures their bikes with the environment in mind, and offers a two year warranty against manufacturing defects.

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The Original is mainly designed for around the neighborhood and picking up groceries at the local market. We found The Original to be a great choice for young families and for areas with a little more space to ride.

The Original comes with a large 36” x 23” marine wood cargo box that ranges from 18.5” to 22” deep. We found the water resistant cargo box’s large dimensions to come in handy for a couple of uses. The box was great for taking the kids around the neighborhood and also for carrying large amounts of cargo without much hassle.

The cargo box comes with storage benches, seat belts and an “EZ Step” system that helps the little ones get in and out. Bunch offers lots of other lifestyle oriented accessories such as the sun shade and rain cover that can be found on their website.

I won’t lie, it took us some time to learn our way around the handling of The Original, but once we did we really saw the benefits and fun factor of its design. The Original uses auto lean technology and its three wheels offer great stability even with a large amount of cargo. The front wheels are 20-inches which gives The Original a decent turn radius for its size, and the rear wheel is 24-inches which helps with the overall ability to roll up curbs and over bumps.

The Original is one of our picks for the best cargo e-bikes picks for young families because of its spacious and stable design. The cargo box doubles as a grocery getter and a comfortable riding area for young ones. Regardless of how you’re using it we are confident you’ll see the benefits of the cargo box on The Original.

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One of the most eye-catching selections on our best electric cargo bikes list is definitely the Benno RemiDemi 9D, a German manufactured e-bike equipped with a Bosch drive system and superwide 20” x 4.5” DURO tires.

The RemiDemi‘s unique name comes from Germany, where “RemmiDemmi” means disruption and noise. After learning the true meaning of the bike’s name, we think it’s pretty accurate considering the RemiDemi will definitely “disrupt” and distract people with its unique design. The direct translation to English is the word “shindig” which means a large, lively party — which also felt appropriate for the bike’s description.

The Bosch Performance Line motor and battery really tie together the performance of the RemiDemi 9D. The Bosch motor uses a torque sensor to detect how hard you are pedaling, a cadence sensor to detect how fast you’re pedaling and a speed sensor to detect how fast the rear wheel is moving.

It doesn’t take long to notice the RemiDemi is well built. The frame is made out of steel, and provides a slightly softer, more dampened feeling than aluminium frames do. It was really the little details like the full alloy fenders, and large amount of mounting brackets that showed us Benno isn’t messing around with their selected componentry. Everything on the RemiDemi has a purpose, which is awesome considering the cargo style riding it’s meant for.

The RemiDemi 9D comes in four different colors (green, yellow, blue, and grey), and two class options. The “Performance Sport” RemiDemi 9D comes with the Bosch Performance Sport motor capable of Class 3 e-bike speeds while the “Performance” model comes with the standard Bosch Performance motor calibrated Class 1 e-bike capabilities and pedal assist up to 20 mph.

If you are looking for something a little different or more compact that can still hang with the more common cargo e-bikes then I would definitely recommend looking into the RemiDemi. It’s good looking, well spec’d and comes with a 5 year warranty on the frame.

One last thing, the yellow RemiDemi reminds me of Curious George. Is it just me?

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The Riese & Muller Load 75 is one of the more intuitive cargo bikes we’ve seen and is the only full suspension cargo bike on our best cargo e-bike list. Because of the high quality componentry and unique design the Load 75 comes at a bit of a cost. However if you are looking for a no shortcuts, premium cargo e-bike this is probably the one.

The first indicator that Load 75 didn’t come to play is the fact that it has full suspension, I mean how often do you see that on a cargo bike? The full suspension design not only offers additional comfort and traction, but keeps the cargo from bouncing around when going over a speed bump or curb.

R&M uses a X-Fusion Glyde for the rear shock, and a 70mm Suntour Mobie A32 as the fork. Full suspension frames aren’t the most common in the cargo bike world, but we loved the fact that Riese & Muller were able to utilize it on their Load 75.

The Load 75 Vario uses an Enviolo variable transmission, which provides a massive 536% gear range; highly beneficial for steep hills when carrying cargo. The Vario also uses the Bosch Cargo Line Cruise as its motor. Between the transmission and mid-drive motor the Vario is set up for most cargo tasks.

The first indicator that Load 75 didn’t come to play is the fact that it has full suspension, I mean how often do you see that on a cargo bike? The full suspension design not only offers additional comfort and traction, but keeps the cargo from bouncing around when going over a speed bump or curb.

R&M uses a X-Fusion Glyde for the rear shock, and a 70mm Suntour Mobie A32 as the fork. Full suspension frames aren’t the most common in the cargo bike world, but we loved the fact that Riese & Muller were able to utilize it on their Load 75.

The Load 75 Vario uses an Enviolo variable transmission, which provides a massive 536% gear range; highly beneficial for steep hills when carrying cargo. The Vario also uses the Bosch Cargo Line Cruise as its motor. Between the transmission and mid-drive motor the Vario is set up for most cargo tasks.

Riese & Muller focused on ensuring comfort, and control at high speeds on the Load 75.

They’ve successfully done this because of their ‘Control Technology” which optimizes comfort and handling and diminishes vibrations and impacts. They seem to understand that cargo e-bikes aren’t always the funnest bikes to ride, but they’ve done a stellar job making sure that theirs is.

If you have deep pockets, a good appreciation for industrial aesthetics and are looking for an alternative to a car then the Load 75 is probably going to be the e-cargo bike for you. Not only is it high end in the way of performance, it’s also good looking and definitely has that signature Riese & Muller touch.

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The GSD is a well rounded, vibrant looking cargo e-bike from Tern. The lively visuals mixed with a high end fourth generation Bosch Cargo Line motor capable of 85 Nm of torque make for a fun to ride, capable cargo e-bike that’s just as much fun as it is useful. There are lots of options for accessories on the GSD, creating somewhat of a “plug and play” experience.

Despite the GSD being slightly smaller in size than some of its competitors, it still holds its own with a 440 lb maximum payload. The GSD is still able to fit riders up to 6’5” thanks to its telescopic seat post, high rise handlebars, and updated frame geometry.

Tern didn’t just build the GSD to perform, they built it to last. From the reinforced tubing to the Atlas Wheels and Lockstand (kickstand), stability and durability is very prevalent on the Tern GSD.

Tern seemed to think of just about everything when designing the GSD, the componentry and design intuition are truly impressive to me, and you really get what you pay for. The GSD possesses some premium componentry that isn’t very common to see.

Take the geared Rohloff Speedhub for example: This hub offers a 526% gear range, and automatically shifts to an easier gear when you slow down to a stop. The Tern GSD also uses a belt drive transmission, which is lower maintenance and longer lasting than a lot of chain & cassette setups. The list of quality components goes on and on, from the Magura MT5 hydraulic disc brakes to the Shimano Deore groupset it’s all quality.

I see the GSD as the embodiment of an electric cargo bike, the durability, power, gear range and long lasting battery make for a phenomenal combination. The GSD is available in four models, ranging from $5000 to $9000 in price. While even the lowest cost variation is by no means cheap, it’s good to have a couple of options to choose from.

I see the GSD being good for cargo carriers and family outings alike. There aren’t a lot of e-bikes that can live a double life quite like the GSD is able to. This is an example of a cargo e-bike that isn’t confined to one specific style of cargo riding.