The cheapest electric cargo bikes 2024 – cost-effective load carriers for transporting shopping, children and more | Test reports, buying advice and news about electric bikes

Considered a real alternative to cars, electric cargo bikes offer much more than just a fun way to get around town. They can carry more than you think possible and, although the very best models can be quite expensive, there are an increasing number of e-cargo bikes available for those on a tighter budget.

Most electric cargo bikes today come in two basic designs: front-loading or rear-loading, depending on where you store the bulk of your cargo. “Longtails” with large rear racks tend to be a bit cheaper.

Many e-cargo bikes have mid-engines installed. These help you get going a little quicker, and the extra torque is helpful when you’re transporting really heavy loads.

Even for under £3,000 there are plenty of quality offerings, so you can delve into the world of e-cargo bikes without spending a fortune. However, you might want to take a look at our overall guide to the best electric cargo bikes to get an idea of ​​what you can get if you spend a little more.

The most affordable electric cargo bikes

How we decided

Best Longtail: Estarli eCargo Longtail – £2,995

Estarli’s entry into the longtail electric cargo category is pretty impressive. It costs less than £3,000, comes with a powerful Ananda mid-engine and offers a 250kg load capacity. It’s a longtail, so the majority of luggage (or passengers) is designed to be carried behind the rider – although there is also a luggage rack up front.

Our tester was impressed with the motor, which “challenged the steepest hills in the Pennines”. There’s also a two-year warranty on all components – motor and battery included. There are loads of child-friendly accessories like the Lazy Boy seat for those who want to use it as a car alternative and have a family. Overall, it’s a very good deal at a great price.

For more details, see our Estarli eCargo Longtail review.

Best dual battery option: Mycle Cargo – from £2,499

The Mycle Cargo has one of the largest rack capacities on this list at 125kg and a total bike weight limit of 210kg. This means that children, dogs and even an adult can ride on the rack without worry.

There’s also the option to equip it with two batteries, which our tester did. The downside of such a large bike is the weight, but if you have the space, it’s an excellent budget e-cargo option for most uses. Unfortunately, it’s out of stock at the moment, but you can sign up via the Mycle website to receive an email when it’s available.

For more details, see our Mycle Cargo review.

The best of the rest
Ecobike Electric Cargo Bike – £2,899

Another new addition this year is the Ecobike Electric Cargo Bike. It doesn’t offer as much payload as its rivals, with just 55kg capacity on the rack. While this somewhat limits it as an alternative to the family car, it does mean it’s still nimble to handle.

Our tester was impressed with the bike’s motor, an Ananda mid-drive motor with 130Nm of torque and 780W peak power. (The 250W legal limit refers to “continuous power,” not peak power.) It’s also compatible with two batteries, with our test bike delivering a total of 1,268Wh. This gave a realistic range estimate of around 100 miles.

For more details, see our Ecobike Electric Cargo Bike review.

Elops Electric Cargo Bike with Rear Loader, Longtail R500 – £2,800

We’re hesitant to add a bike we haven’t physically tested, but at its asking price of £2,800 and 170kg load capacity, the R500 could be worth a try. One element to highlight is that it’s a hub motor – so might not be well suited to hauling heavy loads up steep hills. It offers 58Nm of torque and is paired with a 672Wh battery for a decent range.

The rear rack can carry two children or one adult weighing up to 80kg, and the front rack can carry 10kg. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you’re just looking to transport the kids to and from school, it could be a solid option.

For more information, visit the Decathlon website.

FAQ

How much can you transport on an electric cargo bike?

This depends on a number of factors. First, where will the cargo be carried on the bike? A front rack or a front pannier rack will likely have different weight limits. The larger electric cargo bikes can carry up to 120kg – and that goes for some of the smaller ones too if you look at the right brands.

The cheaper e-cargo bikes tend to have a lower load capacity and let’s be honest, you probably don’t want to carry more than the recommended load anyway – especially if it’s a hub drive, as the motor is unlikely to cope as well with heavy loads.

A good e-cargo bike (if that’s your definition of “good”) can carry two small children and/or lots of other luggage that would be difficult to do on a normal-sized e-bike.

How do I choose an electric cargo bike?

The most important thing when buying an e-cargo bike is that you get a bike that fits your needs. If you have children you want to take with you but don’t buy a bike with suitable accessories or sufficient cargo capacity, you’re wasting your money. If you’re short on space and need a bike that can fit in and out of your house, don’t buy an overly large bike.

Once you know what type of e-cargo bike you’re looking for, you can look at the bikes that are available within your budget. A lower budget doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a bad e-cargo bike, but you may have to make some compromises, especially in motor quality and battery range.

What different types of e-cargo bikes are there?

There are two main types of e-cargo bikes: longtails and front loaders. The longtails have racks at the back that carry the majority of the weight, and can often be set up to carry children in special seats or on a bench. The front loaders usually have buckets, which are great for keeping an eye on your load (especially if the load involves children or dogs).

How we test e-bikes

Thoroughly testing e-bikes takes a lot of work. Our testers ride each bike for at least a month before writing up their results and making a final judgment.

Every bike we test is thoroughly examined for its suitability for the intended discipline and riding style. Of course, a lot of emphasis is placed on the motor and battery, but we also pay attention to the selection of all components, from wheels and tires to the drivetrain and finishing kit.

We also compare the bike to its main competitors – if there is a similar bike with better features and a lower price, we take this into account.

Why you can trust us

The e-bikes recommended in ebiketips’ buying guides are almost always those that we have fully tested or that have been highly rated by several team members.

We’ve tested literally hundreds of e-bikes over the years, and the bikes you’ll find in this guide have all scored a 7/10 or higher rating to be considered for inclusion. No matter the brand, no matter what the marketing claims, if the bike doesn’t work, it won’t be listed here.

All of our testers and buying guide writers are experienced e-bikers, so you can be sure that we have carefully considered our selection, while the advice you will find below is based on our real-world experience.

If you are new to e-bikes, you should take a look at our Beginner’s Guide to Buying an E-BikeOur general guide to the best electric bikes could also be of interest to you if you are not quite sure what type of e-bike you are looking for.

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