Best Electric Tricycles, 2024 | Top 3 Picks From Our Testing
*Electric Bike Report aims to help consumers find the right electric bike for their needs. When you buy a product we recommend, we may earn a commission.
Just like its two-wheel siblings, e-trikes feature a host of nifty components that can really customize your ride. Unlike two-wheel e-bikes, though, e-trikes have three wheels that offer riders greater stability at lower speeds, making e-trikes the top choice for seniors or other adults who have special mobility needs. E-trikes shine brightly in this regard, opening a world of new transportation opportunities its riders may not have had otherwise.
E-trikes have specific capabilities and limitations related to speed, handling and range. Keep this in mind as you compare the different trike models, and how the trike meets your needs. For example, an electric trike that’s lighter and sits lower may be more important to you than a trike with longer range, or greater cargo-carrying capacity. Ask yourself, what makes an e-trike the best for you?
Maybe your primary need isn’t riding related, such as having a trike that’s easy to transport in a vehicle and/or is easy to store at your house. Or maybe you need a trike with a narrow enough width to fit through your doorway.
As you read our selections for 2024’s best electric tricycles you might get more ideas and have more questions. No worries, we’ve included links in our best electric trikes page that will take you to our in-depth reviews on each one for more information.
*Editor’s Note: Updated on May 13th, 2024 with a new video of the top e-trikes.
Our Picks For The Best Electric Trikes for 2024
Rad Power Bikes RadTrike
Fewer names are bigger in the electrified bike world than Rad Power Bikes. They were able to take a lot of experience into their first Trike design, and it hits a lot of high notes.
Rad designed the RadTrike using smaller 18-inch wheels and a simplified powerband that uses a front wheel hub motor. Riders can appreciate the ease of stepping on and off this low-sitting bike, along with its easy-to-maneuver, light frame.
The 750 watt front-hub motor generates up to 85 Nm of torque, making it powerful enough to carry heavy loads and climb steep hills. The weight capacity is 325 lbs for the rider, rear basket up to 60 lbs, and front basket 30 lbs, with total payload capacity not to exceed 415 lbs.
Handling the RadTrike is also made nice since it’s rear wheel base is as long as you can go while still sitting through a door frame, and the smaller tire size keeps center of gravity low for better balance. It’s easy to hop on and off the RadTrike too, and the fold-down handlebar makes it easier to transport and store when not in use.
Powering the motor is the 10 Ah (480 Wh) battery that gave us a range of 58 miles on our test ride. Stopping power comes from a simplified brake system, using a mechanical front disc brake, with 180mm rotor, and a rear coaster brake. Also making the RadTrike simple to operate is the single-speed drivetrain.
Keeping safety in mind, Rad caps the top speed at 14 mph for its e-trike. And you get good peace of mind knowing that RadTrike’s engineering meets the safety certification guidelines with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Rad offers three different kits so you can get the rack/basket combo that fits your hauling needs.
It’s not quite as affordable as the XP Trike, but it’s a little more solid and refined feeling, and still less expensive than most electric trikes on the market today which might make it the best value electric trike.
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- Stable, affordable e-trike for those who can’t ride on two wheels. While not as affordable as the XP Trike, it’s still one of the lower-priced, quality electric trikes on the market.
- The comfort of the trike exceeded our expectations from the adjustable height of the backrest, the front & back adjusting seat, and the BMX-style highrise handlebars with soft grips.
- The RadTrike feels very stable when traveling at speed thanks to the low center of gravity in the design. If you keep your MPH low on corners (which you should on any trike) it takes turns well too.
- The RadTrike fits through a normal door! And with a folding down handlebar and removable seat post, the trike is much more portable and stashable than most trike designs since it can fit in most SUVs or vans (and possibly sedans since the RadTrike can be split into two pieces).
- The RadTrike’s display clearly shows your PAS level and the 10-bar battery indicator, but we wish there was something on the trike for a MPH readout (we recommend a phone mount in the meantime).
Lectric XP Trike
If you’re looking for a trike on a limited budget, the Lectric XP Trike has some great features and offers great value for the money. Actually, it’s just plain great, and happens to be available on the cheap!
As a well-known leader in the electric bike world, Lectric eBike’s new XP Trike rewrote the rules on how to make an e-trike more affordable. The XP Trike is priced around $1500, making this the most affordable option of our best e-trikes list.
Building the drivetrain for a trike can be the most expensive part of production. Lectric crafted a unique and cost-effective design with a 500W hub motor mounted on the frame, behind the pedal crank, that drives a short chain connected to the differential. The differential slows down the inside wheel on turns so the rider doesn’t spin out of control, creating a balanced center of gravity when you ride. It’s clever as it provides a better feel than a front-hub motor setup, but is far less costly than mid-drive motor configurations.
The Lectric XP Trike fits riders who are 5’4” to 6’1”. And on top of that. The XP Trike comes with the folding frame feature Lectric is known for, reducing its size to 38.5″L x 30.5″W x 30″H when folded. The 415 lbs maximum weight capacity on the Trike means it can carry a rider weighing up to 325 lbs, 35 lbs max in the front basket, and 75 lbs in the rear basket. Adding the three maximum amounts gives you 435 lbs, meaning you cannot do the maximum limit for the rider and both baskets at the same time.
Providing additional safety for new riders and folks who have been away from bikes for a while, the XP Trike has a default mode that limits the trike to a 5 mph top speed while you get the hang of riding the trike. You can easily switch out of the mode by going into settings. We like the emphasis on safety to help ease riders into electrified trikes especially since they perform best at more mild speeds anyway.
Mobility doesn’t have to be expensive. The XP Trike is a dependable e-trike that’ll help more people enjoy riding which is why it leads off our list of the best electric tricycle.
- With current price around $1500, this is one of the most affordable quality e-trikes on the market.
- Stable ride and good handling thanks to the 2-wheel drive differential
- Smooth power output comes from the uniquely designed placement of the 500W hub motor between the pedal crank and differential.
- Folding frame makes it easier to load into a car or SUV and transport, and store in smaller spots.
- Leg extension for taller rides will be on the short side. Not a big deal with motor help anyway though..
Sixthreezero Easy Transit 750W Folding Electric Trike
With a name like the Easy Transit 750W Folding Electric Trike, we expected this tricycle to be easy to move, capable of hauling weight, and able to climb hills. We were not disappointed!
As with all transportable trikes, the Easy Transit required an extra set of hands, but it’s one of the lighter options we’ve tested with a weight of 73 pounds once the battery is removed. With a folding frame and a collapsible stem, its size can be reduced down to a more manageable package.
With its 750W front hub motor, the Easy Transit has one of the fastest climbing times for an electric trike in our Hill Test. With a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs, we expect its uphill power to be effective at moving a full payload wherever you need it to go.
We liked the Easy Transit for its climbing ability and portability, but also for its accessible frame and stable ride. The bike’s 16” wheels keep both its center of gravity and its standover height (13.5”) low, which helps it to feel less tippy than taller trikes when cornering, and makes it a great choice for riders with limited range of motion.
Other appreciated features were the 7-speed drivetrain (many others we’ve tested were single-speeds), a reverse throttle for maneuvering, its incredibly wide height range of 4’6” to 6’5”, and its slightly higher-than-average speed limit of 16 mph.
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- Great for anyone needing a high degree of accessibility. It has one of the lowest standover heights we have seen at 13.5”.
- The ride felt extremely stable thanks to the 16” wheels and resulting low center of gravity.
- It conquered our test hill easily thanks to the 750W rear hub motor.
- The rider height range is impressive, fitting riders from 4’6” to 6’5”.
- It can be pedaled easily with little or no motor power thanks to the 7-speed drivetrain.
- We tuned up a handful of the trike’s parts after assembly. If you’re not good with tools, you might need to consider getting help from a bike mechanic.
Honorable Mention: AddMotor CITYTRI E-310
*Photo Credit: AddMotor
When we went to the Sea Otter Classic this year we were surprised that one of our most memorable cycling encounters was with an electric trike, not an e-bike!
The AddMotor CITYTRI E-310 stood out for a powerful rear axle motor (750W) and a masssive 960Wh battery.
It also had great build quality. Everything seemed well put together, and while we feel most trikes should go slower, the 20 mph top speed of this one seems like it was built to handle it.
Riders can get a trike with one of three different tire sizes to best accommodate sizing needs. It’s rare you see different tire sizes offered on one e-trike model.
While we’re eagerly awaiting our test model for official data, we had enough fun with it at Sea Otter to feel comfortable enough recommending readers check this one out as well.
Check Best Price | Full Review Coming Soon
How We Picked Our List Of The Best Electric Tricycles
- Safety: First and foremost, we want to recommend trikes that have a good reputation for being safe. Many riders choose a trike because they have special needs, tied to an injury, disability or age. That means these riders might be more at risk riding a trike that isn’t as safe as the other trikes available.
- Performance: The trikes we recommend feature power plants and drivetrains that can meet rider needs, while also giving them fun experiences. We’ve considered factors like powerful motors that can accelerate, cruise and carry cargo; batteries that enable the trike to travel at least 40 miles; drivetrains that can handle weight and work well within the trike design; brakes that stop quickly and safely; and suspension and other operation components that give the rider comfortable and an enjoyable experience.
- Quality Build: We are selecting trikes that we have tested and we know are designed and built well. That means we have confirmed the quality of the bike, that they feature quality components, and that they were designed and built by expert e-bike builders.
- Easy Operation: Trikes can seem difficult to operate from someone who has never ridden one. For riders who have mobility issues, this can make it even harder for them to trust riding an e-trike, let alone riding one all together. We picked bikes that are among the easiest for anyone to ride.
Bottom line: If Two Wheels Won’t Do, Then Try Three
Try sticking to low power when you ride your new trike for the first time. The technique for riding a trike is different from riding a bike. Riders who are transitioning from a bike to a trike might feel like they are learning to ride all over again. That’s okay because they need to discover the difference between the two in order to become a better trike rider, and you’ll likely pick it up very quickly.
Consider best safety practices including wearing a helmet and high-visibility clothing when you ride. We recommend you to check local regulations and guidelines regarding the use of e-trikes, as they may vary depending on your jurisdiction. Always remember, trikes are not meant to go fast, nor ridden abruptly – take your time and enjoy the ride!
If you decide to purchase one of these trikes, please use the links for pricing found throughout the article. It supports our work here at the Electric Bike Report, and enables us to continue testing and reporting the latest updates on electric trikes and bikes.
Have a bike that you think would be a good contender for our best electric trikes page? Let us know in the comment section below. At the very least, we always want to know what our readers are riding.
Bob says
Can these trikes be used in a golf course?
John S. Bozick says
We recommend checking with the golf course, as they would each have different rules governing whether trikes could or could not be used.
Oinc says
What no tadpole bicycles? 2 wheels up front, one in rear?
Better braking in turns, Better front gripping where
it counts vs rear slipping, sliding, less complicated rear drive.
Kenneth says
So I second the motion – Why no recumbent tadpole trikes with 2 wheels in the front, and one drive wheel in the back? Also rider is in a reclined position in a comfortable full seat, so no more butt hurt. I’ve been riding one for years now and there are a number a quality manufacturers. Delta trikes – 2 wheels in back and one in front are by their nature unstable, especially if they carry on with the high upright “bicycle” style with a small seat and elevated position. Makes no good sense to me anymore. Do you not know of recumbent trikes? Come on guys, there’s lots of us “bent” riders out there. We want some recognition too!
John Pfennig says
I would be interested if you could do a test on the Addmotor model Greattan L. Also the Lectric sixzerothree Rickshaw is another trike I’m looking at. I want a trike that my wife & I can ride comfortably. Hydraulic disc brakes would be an advantage. Looking forward to your test results. Thank you
John S. Bozick says
We’ll be testing the Addmotor Citytri soon, and hopefully we can test more from that brand later. We recently released our review of the Sixthreezero Rickshaw!
Patti says
Thank you …very helpful. I was wondering what you think of the Ollie Cutback from Ollie bike company
John S. Bozick says
Hi Patti, we haven’t tested that one yet, and the company doesn’t give a lot of detail about the trike’s build or components, so it’s tough to comment without knowing more. The surface-level details look decent, but it also looks fairly narrow, which could mean a greater likelihood of tipping.
Jack Freestone says
Do any of your trikes have throttle mode only
John S. Bozick says
Hi Jack, thanks for your question! All three of our Best Electric Trikes have throttles, so they don’t need to be pedaled. Hope that helps!
E.J. Zita says
Which folding e-trikes do you recommend? Looking for one that is * well built with * big fat tires, unlike the 630. Thanks!
John S. Bozick says
We haven’t tested any like that yet, but we expect to see more in the near(ish) future. In the meantime, we’ve heard good things about Addmotor trikes; they may have one that fits your needs.
June says
Having a hard time locating an e-trike dealership that stocks them in Vermont or New hampshire. please advise
Maureen OConnell says
This article, in fact all etrike content, seems to assume the reader is an extremely well versed rider who will understand the dynamics of the motor, brakes, etc. Many of us have come to this option as a last resort, because increase in disease or pain prevent us from driving even though onset has probably kept us off a bike for 10+ years. Plus, these don’t look as pathetic, and could have wider aftermarket options should this be too dangerous, or if health improves and full pedal use is an option in the future. Quick (or wandering) local-ish errands are difficult or impossible. But details like actual foldability, to fit in a trunk or requiring a minivan, are key considerations in case we overtire and have to call for a rescue.