The 11 best electric cargo bikes

If you search for ‘best cargo bike’ on Google, you’ll come across many lists. Everyone has an opinion, but who is actually right? Our list is based on experiences, tests, extensive research, and visits to bike fairs like Velofollies and Eurobike.

In this article, we explore the best electric cargo bikes for various situations and budgets, not limiting ourselves to cooperating webshops. This ensures that our opinion is honest and as objective as possible.

After reading this overview, you’ll have a good idea of which cargo bike you can buy and which one fits your situation and budget. At the bottom, you’ll also find a summary of what to consider when buying an electric cargo bike.

Best Cargo Bike of 2024: Riese & Muller Packster2

There are plenty of excellent cargo bikes that prioritize quality and safety. In our list, we will not include any model where there are doubts about the construction quality.

Riese & Muller is a German brand that prioritizes build quality. Their products are purchases that last a very long time. They see an electric cargo bike as an alternative to the car. Quality, ride comfort, and safety are characteristics of all their bikes.

The Riese & Muller Packster2 stands as an epitome of what a premium cargo bike can offer. With its sharp, angular design and low-placed cargo box, it provides a robust and agile riding experience suitable for a wide range of users, from 150 cm to 200 cm.

The versatility in cargo space, supported by a powerful drive system, makes the Packster2 suitable for both transporting children and cargo. The addition of highly powerful brakes, with an option for ABS, enhances safety and control under all riding conditions.

Also, the electric components are of the highest quality. The Bosch Cargo line provides 85 Nm of torque. The battery (dual option) is good for 50-80 km (dual: 100-160 km) depending on the mode: eco – touring – sport – turbo.

The build quality of Riese & Muller is also very high. Each bike is built to order. The frame consists of strong welded steel ‘monocoque’ chassis, made in Germany, with attention to quality and detail. The suspension ensures that all components work perfectly together.

The only negative that can be said about these electric cargo bikes is that they are incredibly expensive. Even second-hand, they are more expensive than most other models. A full upgrade on the Riese & Muller Load 75 costs around 11,800 euros. The price of a (second-hand) car.

Also new is the RX hardware. A chip with GPS to always find your bike. You can also make a Bluetooth connection to track and monitor all information.

Find more information in our detailed review of the Packster2.

Motor: 85 Nm | Length: 249 cm | Weight: 45 kg | Load Capacity: 200 kg

Safest Cargo Bike: CaGo Cargo Bike

The CaGo cargo bike is also one that stands out. Wider than the Riese & Muller, especially when opting for the extra-safe cargo box. The cargo boxes of these premium bikes borrow technology from car manufacturers to form lightweight but strong constructions. These are intended for valuable cargo such as multiple children (or a dog).

CaGo also focuses entirely on families. The thick extra-safe cargo box is more important than ride comfort. This does not mean that ride comfort is neglected. The cargo box is simply more important. The front fork absorbs the shocks from the cargo box. The saddle does the same for the rider. Due to the absence of mid suspension, ride comfort is slightly lower than the Riese & Muller Load.

CaGo has only one cargo bike, but with several options. The FS200 Life Ex (cheapest) is upgraded to the FS200 Life-family, Family Plus (most expensive), or Life Multi. The Family Plus has an ergonomic child seat with safety harness. A rain/sun canopy. Strong bike lights front and rear, and also a GPS tracker so you can see the bike via the app.

Electrically, the bike is comparable to other premium cargo bikes. Bosch Cargoline with 625 Wh powertube as the battery. An Enviolo (automatic) hub gear and Magura brakes (possibly ABS upgrade soon). The thick Schwalbe Big Ben tires provide a lot of grip and stability.

Motor: 85 Nm | Length: 270 cm | Weight: – kg | Load Capacity: 240 kg

Price / Quality Cargo Bike: Urban Arrow Family Active Plus

With more than 10 years of experience, and as the first real producer of the cargo bike, Urban Arrow certainly cannot be overlooked when we talk about the best electric cargo bikes. The Dutch brand prioritizes quality but also considers budget. They aim to keep their bikes between 4500 and 7500.

Compared to other premium models, you can opt for a weaker motor here… although the choice is limited to Bosch motors. The Performance line Plus (65 nm) is cheaper than the Cargoline (85 nm). The question then arises; how many nm do you need for your route?

Safety is also well taken care of. A strong frame with a light but safe cargo box. Good brakes and sufficient front suspension to absorb shocks. Ride comfort is slightly lower than the Riese & Muller, comparable to the Ca Go. Due to the options to reduce the price, the Urban Arrow is the best-selling cargo bike in Belgium and the Netherlands (and probably also worldwide).

Made with children in mind, in the Netherlands, the cargo bike has been used as an alternative to the family car for a long time. Their infrastructure also makes it easy. You can set up the Urban Arrow Family in various ways, with a child bench and 5-point harness, or with a holder for the Maxi Cosi. On the rear luggage rack, you can mount another child seat.

Motor: 65-85 Nm | Length: 274 cm long & 71 cm wide | Weight: 50 kg | Load Capacity: 250 kg

Alternative Great Buy: Cube Cargo Hybrid 1000

The Cube Cargo Hybrid 1000 seems to be the best buy cargo bike. The 1000 stands for the double battery; you can also opt for 500 Wh to further reduce the price. Cube is known for offering good bikes at a lower price. They have an excellent price-quality ratio.

With the Cargo Hybrid, Cube ventures into their first cargo bike. The design is nice, the Bosch components are of high quality, and without too many extras, this bike remains an affordable cargo bike under 5000 euros. There are still models under 5000 euros, but none as good as this Cube Cargo Hybrid (note: with dual battery, it is more expensive).

In addition to safety, ride comfort is of great importance. Good electrical support is also important if you want to transport a lot of cargo. For long distances, the 1000 Wh is definitely recommended. The Cargo Line (Gen4) provides 85 Nm of torque. With this, you can go anywhere without problems, even steep hills become ‘easy’. The Enviolo automatic hub gear also makes riding extra practical.

The bike weighs 51 kg and is 249 cm long. Slightly smaller than most. Also noteworthy is the design of the cargo box. Beautiful, but slightly less easy to climb into. In the Lovens, Carqon, and CaGo, we see extra wall and even neck protection for children. Something that is missing from the Cube. Suspension is also limited, only the front wheel will absorb the shocks.

In the cargo box, you have a child bench with two three-point seat belts. The cargo box is 60 cm wide, 74 when including the housing. Just long enough, with 70 cm there is little space for an adult. Especially if they have long legs.

Motor: 50 Nm | Length: 249 cm long & 72 cm wide | Weight: 51 kg | Load Capacity: 220 kg

Cargo Bike with Door: Carqon Classic

This model is a bit older, but there are few cargo bikes with a door. This lowers the strength and therefore the safety of the cargo box.

Although Carqon has just released their new electric cargo bike – the Carqon Cruise – the Carqon Classic remains our favorite model for now. Unique for its integrated child door and deep cargo box, this cargo bike offers some extra safety for the passengers, especially children. This also immediately earns it a spot on our list of the best electric cargo bikes.

Stylish, powerful, and safe. Just like Lovense, Carqon focuses on design and user-friendliness. This cargo bike is not cheap; it’s an alternative to the car and therefore must have plenty of quality and safety.

The cargo box itself is made of HDPE plastic with a reinforced outer box. The door is equipped with a double child lock, and because the box is so high, your child cannot easily get out. Of course, there are also seat belts to secure (up to two) children. You can also install an Isofix base and a Maxi-Cosi in the box.

In addition to safety, you also enjoy pleasant riding. The gears are so smooth that you hardly notice them (Enviolo, high quality). The aluminum frame is very strong, and you have a powerful motor (Bosch Performance CX Cargo line) and optional dual battery.

Thanks to the suspension, you also feel little shocks or unevenness in the road surface. The Tektro Dorado 4-piston disc brakes are more than sufficient to come to a sudden stop, even with a full load. Due to the low center of gravity, this cargo bike remains very maneuverable.

If you’re looking for a door so your dog can get in, check out our list of cargo bikes suitable for dogs.

Motor: 75 Nm | Length: 260 cm long & 75 cm wide | Weight: 60 kg | Load Capacity: 200 kg

Foldable Compact Cargo Bike for the City: Muli Motor

An electric cargo bike takes up a lot of space. They are long and ‘bulky’ compared to regular bikes. The cargo box is wide and must be safe, especially when transporting children.

But not everyone is looking for a cargo bike with these criteria. Sometimes it’s just for running errands. Or maybe you live in the city and have limited space. That’s where the compact cargo bike from Muli comes in as an alternative.

The smaller and more compact, the better, as long as you can fit everything in it. Our favorite is the unique Muli ST Pro. A cargo bike with a foldable cargo box, so you can store it anywhere. The bike is also relatively short (195 cm) compared to full-size cargo bikes.

We already compared the foldable cargo bike in our list of cargo bikes. The bike is lightweight (30.5 kg) and agile. The Shimano Steps E6100 provides 65 nm of assistance. You can also opt for the upgrade to an 85 nm Shimano motor, or the Pendix motor. The hub and drive belt are also nice additions.

Motor: 65 nm | Length: 195 cm | Weight: 30.5 kg | Load Capacity: 195 kg

Fastest Cargo Bike: Riese & Muller Load4 Speed Pedelec

With Rohloff in the title, you immediately opt for the highest quality..

This is a cargo bike of excellent quality. And this is also necessary, because this speed pedelec cargo bike has support up to 45 km/h. This combination of electric cargo bike + speed pedelec is not (yet) common.

To transport such weights at this speed, you need a very strong frame, good suspension, and perfect brakes. You also notice Rohloff in the name. This refers to the E-14 hub and belt. Rohloff stands for quality, you could say the Rolls Royce of electric bike parts.

This cargo bike belongs to the premium segment. Nowadays, you pay between 8000-9000 euros for this Reise Muller, depending on the extras you choose.

The 75 in the name stands for a loading space of 75 cm length. Here you can transport two children safely (with seat belts). Because it is a speed pedelec, there is different legislation to take into account.

Transport of children is allowed from the age of 3 years, provided that a safety system is present. The 3-point seat belts are therefore sufficient. The bike is also homologated for Belgian (European) roads. Of course, this applies to all bikes in this list of best electric cargo bikes.

More speed and momentum also require better suspension and brakes. Riese & Muller solves this with double suspension in the frame. This Control Technology ensures a very smooth riding experience. Even cobblestones and heavy potholes in the road surface are easily absorbed.

With the Bosch Cargo line, you get 85 nm of torque power. Sufficient to maintain speed even uphill and fully loaded. The 500 Wh battery has limited autonomy if you ride at ‘full throttle’. You can expand this to a double battery, 1000 Wh.

Charging is done with fast charge, 50% in 1 hour and 100% in 3 hours. Via this link, you can calculate the range.

The hub and belt, the Rohloff E-14, is currently also the best on the market. This bike is finished with cable steering (more agility and a small turning circle) and strong Tektro Auriga disc brakes, equipped with ABS brake technology.

Motor: 85 nm | Length: 265 cm long & 65 cm wide | Weight: 38 kg (without cargo) | Load capacity: 200 kg

Three-wheeler with tilting mechanism: Butchers & Bicycles MK1-E

We’ve known about three-wheeler cargo bikes for longer than we think. The former ice cream cart was a kind of three-wheeled cargo bike. Nowadays, they are electric. And this MK1-E from Butchers & Bicycles is (for us) the best three-wheeled cargo bike. Due to the high budget, it’s not for everyone.

Motor-wise, you enjoy the highest quality. The Bosch Performance Line CX provides 85 nm of torque. The 500 Wh (double option) ensures sufficient battery. And the Enviolo hub gear completes the device.

The design is also worth mentioning. The cargo bike resembles other three-wheelers but the tilting mechanism (Built to Tilt technology) is unique. This increases riding comfort, allows for easy and smooth turning, and eliminates the risk of tipping over.

The Butchers & Bicycles MK-1-E is finished with mudguards, a light on each wheel, sturdy brakes, and an adjustable saddle and handlebar. With all these elements, the e-cargo bike three-wheeler is not cheap. If it fits within your budget, then this is also the best three-wheeled cargo bike for you.

Additionally, it’s also a good cargo bike for dogs through the front door (option). When purchasing, you can choose a door at the front. This large opening is ideal for large dogs.

Motor: 85 nm | Length: 225 cm long & 91 cm wide | Weight: 49 kg | Load capacity: 200 kg (80 kg in the cargo box)

Here you can find our full comparison of three-wheeled cargo bikes.

Three-wheeler Trike for Kids: Chike E-kids

If you’re looking for a three-wheeled cargo bike primarily for transporting children, then we’d like to introduce you to the Chike E-kids. This isn’t exactly a cargo bike, but more of a tricycle or trike. A concept that is becoming increasingly popular, as Cube recently introduced the Trike Hybrid. Similar but with the children seated on the two rear wheels.

The Chike tricycle focuses on transporting children, hence the E-kids designation. There’s room for two children in the aluminum cabin. Equipped with a child seat with sturdy five-point harnesses. The cabin is positioned close to the handlebars, allowing you to be close to your children while riding. There’s also a handy rain cover to brave all weather conditions. Perhaps not for the driver, but your children will stay dry.

The design is German. The quality is high, with a focus on riding comfort and safety during the design process. The tilting mechanism ensures that the ‘cargo’ or cabin remains level at all times. This also makes you very agile and enables easy and tight turns. It also provides extra suspension to absorb shocks.

You’ll get support from a high-quality Shimano Esteps E6100, Shimano hub gear, and 504 Wh battery. Compared to all other tricycles and cargo bikes, this Chike is very small and compact. Also convenient for people with limited storage space.

There are also accessories available. You can replace the cabin with a cargo/transport box. Additionally, you can mount an extra cargo box, and there’s the option to install a MaxiCosi adapter. If you find this appealing, you should also consider the Chike E-Cargo.

Motor: 65 nm | Length: 192 cm long & 70 cm wide | Weight: 33.8 kg | Load capacity: 200 kg

Best on Bol.com: Prophete Cargo

Many people turn to a reliable source for their purchases. In many cases, this is Bol.com, ‘the store for everyone’. Anyone can sell on Bol, and recently, a lot of cargo bikes have been offered there as well. We searched for the best cargo bikes on Bol.com and came across the Prophete AEG cargo. A good, powerful cargo bike originating from Germany.

The build quality is good, but not comparable to the premium brands mentioned above. As a result, the carrying capacity is slightly lower. However, with 170 kg of carrying capacity, you have enough for light cargo or transporting children. The cargo box is very basic, made of wood, and with a double child bench. Note that we only see one three-point seat belt.

The very powerful 100 nm motor from AEG is currently only found in the Prophete cargo bikes. The battery (576 Wh) is also slightly more powerful than the average e-cargo bike. Shifting is done manually via the Shimano 7-speed derailleur. We would have liked to see more gears here, although the 100 nm will pull you up any hill.

Motor: 100 nm | Length: 250 cm | Weight: 50 kg | Load capacity: 170 kg

Cheap cargo bike: Vogue Carry 2

If we focus less on quality and safety and primarily search based on price, we end up with the cheap e-cargo bikes. There are several models, from the Babboe City to the Vogue cargo bikes that you can buy on Bol.

What we immediately notice in these bikes is the absence of high-quality components. No Bosch or Shimano, usually not even Bafang. Instead, they often feature an electric motor from the in-house brand. These are often sourced from China, and the quality varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Upon closer inspection, it also seems that the Vogue and Qivelo cargo bikes on Bol are the same cargo bikes with a different brand on the front. The Vogue Carry 2 (or Qivelo Curve 2) is our favorite cheap e-cargo bike due to the Bafang Max Drive mid-motor.

The Vogue cargo bike is available with automatic hub gears (vario) or with chain and derailleur. Our preference is for the Vario, although it costs slightly more.

The Babboe City is also an option. A comparable cargo bike in the same price range. They do have a door for the children to enter, which Vogue lacks. Additionally, they have more experience than the Bol sellers. This can be useful for warranty and after-sales services. Certainly a worthy alternative. However, because they use a rear-wheel motor, we prefer the Vogue cargo bike.

Motor: 65 nm | Length: 265 cm long & 75 cm wide | Weight: – kg | Load capacity: 220 kg