Electric cargo bikes (aka “utility bikes”) are great for running errands or hauling stuff around, but they can be really fun to ride too.

Many of the top options come with powerful motors and rugged fat tires, allowing them to handle terrains of all varieties as well, which is always nice when the occasion arises.

And many can even be used to haul kids around, either with purpose or for simple recreation.

Basically, you can think of cargo bikes as the SUV’s of the e-bike world – they’re comfortable to ride and can do a little bit of everything.

But, just like SUV’s, you gotta do your homework before deciding on one because all electric cargo bikes aren’t created equal.

In this guide, I’ll go over the top cargo bikes 2024 has to offer, but I’ll also review the specs and features we should be considering when comparing these e-bikes.

After reading, you’ll be more than ready to find the right cargo bike to fit your lifestyle.

Well, let’s get to it already.

	Motor	Battery/Range	Payload
#1 RadRunner 3 Plus	750W rear hub	672Wh 25 - 45 miles	350 lb
#2 EBC Model E	750W rear hub	576/672Wh 50 - 70 miles	420 lb
#3 Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2	1000W rear hub	811Wh Up to 55 miles	300 lb
#4 Aventon Abound	750W rear hub	720Wh Up to 50 miles	440 lb
#5 Blix Packa Genie	750W rear hub	614Wh (1 or 2) 45 - 80 miles	400 lb
#6 EBC Model A	750W rear hub	576 - 1440Wh Up to 160 miles	420 lb
#7 RadWagon 4	750W rear hub	672Wh 25 - 45 miles	350 lb
#8 Velotric Packer 1	750W rear hub	691Wh Up to 45 miles	440 lb

The 8 Best Electric Cargo/Utility Bikes of 2024

#1 The RadRunner 3 Plus

Rad Power Bike’s RadRunner 3 Plus is a perfect example of what a quality cargo bike should be – it’s stylish, versatile, and really fun to ride.

I actually have this e-bike in my garage as we speak and my family and I love it.

When it comes to performance, the RadRunner 3 Plus is sporting impressive numbers. With a 750W rear hub motor, it can comfortably reach a top speed of 20 mph with either pedal assist or throttle (making it a Class II e-bike).

And with a 672 Wh battery, you can expect a realistic range of somewhere between 25 – 45 miles per charge.

I live in a really hilly neighborhood and I’ve been impressed that I can consistently get 25 – 30 miles per charge, although that number drops a little if I’m hauling a kid around.

Speaking of the battery, I like that it locks in place in the middle of the frame and you need a key to remove it (makes it harder for someone to steal it when out and about).

Other highlights include 5 levels of pedal assist, a 7-speed shifter, hydraulic brakes, fat puncture-resistance tires, fenders, and front/rear lighting.

It has an impressive payload capacity of 350 lb and when it comes to hauling accessories, you have plenty of options to choose from.

From cargo bags and baskets to pet trailers and locking hardshell boxes, Rad has a little bit of everything to choose from when customizing your ride.

They offer a passenger package too, as well as a child seat that can safely fit on the rear rack for taking smaller children for rides.

Personally, I went with the passenger seat and the large front basket options and I’ve been impressed with the quality of both.

The seat is thick and comfortable and it gives the appearance of a moped (and my kids love riding back there).

Oh, I also want to point out that the RadRunner 3 Plus is only around 72″ long, so it’s a little more compact than many of the longer cargo bikes out there.

Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable cargo bike that can go anywhere, the RadRunner 3 Plus is a great option. See full review.

 

#2 Electric Bike Company’s Model E

Electric Bike Company is a great brand that’s known for their highly customizable cruisers.

And when I say customizable, I mean you get to choose the color of damn near every component on the bike, as well as things like grips, tires, and seat posts.

The Model E is their take on a utility bike, although it still has the feel of a classic beach cruiser – the result is a good looking bike that can handle any errand you throw at it.

This e-bike comes with a 750W rear hub motor and can be used as either a Class II or Class III bike, depending on your local laws and regulations.

The Model E comes with a 12Ah (576Wh) battery standard, but you can upgrade to a 14Ah (672Wh) option for additional cost.

Depending on which battery you go with, you can expect a top range somewhere between 50 – 70 miles.

Like all other Electric Bike Company bikes, the Model E offers a ton of different storage and hauling options to choose from, including rear racks, front baskets, trunks, baskets, and even dog carriers.

And even though the Model E isn’t compatible with any passenger seats, EBC does offer a folding trailer option that can hold up to 2 children for hauling (100 lb capacity).

The Model E also comes with 5 levels of pedal assist, hydraulic braking, 26″ puncture-resistant tires, an LCD console, and front/rear safety lighting.

It also has an impressive 420 lb payload capacity, which is amazing considering the bike itself only weighs about 56 lb.

Overall, the Model E is a gorgeous utility bike that lets you customize as much or as little as you see fit. See full review.

 

#3 Juiced Bikes’ Scorpion X2

If you’re looking for a cargo bike with a little more power, Juiced Bikes’ Scorpion X2 might just be what the doctor ordered.

By the way, how bad ass is that name??

Anyway, the Scorpion X2 is a moped-inspired cargo bike with some serious power.

With its 1,000W rear hub motor, it can easily reach speeds upwards of 28 mph, making it a Class III e-bike (but it might not exactly be street legal in all areas, so double check before getting yourself in trouble).

The X2 also comes with a massive, 52V (811Wh) battery that can support up to a 55 mile range – although let’s be real, if you’re taking advantage of that kinda speed, you aren’t gonna get anywhere near 55 miles.

But hey, speed and power have their cost.

Besides being crazy fast, this cargo bike comes loaded with a lot of nice features, including hydraulic brakes, front/rear suspensions, fenders, rear rack, and 20″ puncture-resistant tires.

And with the included large headlight, the Scropion could easily be mistaken for a moped.

When it comes to hauling, this e-bike only comes with a 300 lb payload, so it’s not the best option for larger riders or bigger hauls, but the included rear rack still comes with a 50 lb limit, which is plenty for most of us.

It’s also compatible with a passenger seat, but again, keep that payload capacity in mind.

Overall, if you’re looking for a zippy little cargo bike with some serious muscle, the Scorpion X2 (man I like typing that) could be a good fit.

 

#4 Aventon’s Abound

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated ride and aren’t worried about having to outrun the cops, Aventon’s Abound might be more your speed.

The Abound is the quintessential cargo bike, coming with an elongated frame and extended rear rack for numerous hauling capabilities.

This bike comes with a more standard, 750W rear hub motor and is a Class II bike with a top speed of 20 mph.

And with a 720Wh battery, you can get upwards of 50 miles per charge on pedal assist (or 22 miles on throttle alone).

Additional highlights of the Abound include 4 levels of pedal assist, a 7-speed shifter, a suspension fork, an LCD color display, hydraulic disc brakes, turn signals, and 20″ puncture-resistant tires.

And with the ability to choose between several different rear racks, front racks, baskets, and bags, the Abound is customizable to fit all your hauling needs.

It’s also compatible with passenger seating and I really like the handrail option that basically encloses your children when sitting on the rear seat.

The Abound also comes with an impressive 440 lb payload capacity, so it’s well-equipped to handle multiple riders and larger hauls.

Overall, the Abound isn’t flashy, but it can haul with the best of ’em.

 

#5 Blix’s Packa Genie

Blix’s Packa Genie is similar to the Abound in style and it too comes with an elongated frame to make room for additional passenger seats and storage options.

In terms of performance, the Packa Genie comes with a 750W rear hub motor that can reach a top speed of 20 mph, making it a Class II e-bike that should be legal in most areas.

What’s unique about this bike though, is that you can opt for a single or double battery configuration, each at 614Wh.

With a single battery, you can expect to get up to 45 miles or so, but with both batteries that range extends upwards of 80 miles.

The Packa Genie also comes standard with a 7-speed shifter, 24″ puncture-resistance tires, hydraulic disk brakes, an LCD console, and LED front/rear lighting.

This e-bike comes with a rigid front fork, so maybe not the best option for off-roading, but it does offer a lot of storage options for you to configure.

The built-in rear rack is compatible with a large lineup of passenger seats, baskets, and bags and there’s room for additional racks and baskets to be mounted in the front.

And with a rear capacity of 150 lb and front capacity of 50 lb, you can load this bike up with as much cargo as you like.

And with a starting price less than $2k, the Packa Genie is more affordable than most.

 

#6 Electric Bike Company’s Model A

If you’re looking for an affordable cruiser-inspired cargo bike that you can customize from top to bottom, Electric Bike Company’s Model A is worth checking out.

The Model A is shipped as a Class II bike, but can be re-programmed as a Class III bike with a top speed of 28 mph (as long as it’s legal in your area).

This bike comes with a 750W rear hub motor and the option to choose between several different battery configurations, ranging from 576Wh to a combined 1,440Wh (multiple battery option).

Depending on which battery setup you pick, you can be looking at a range up to 160 miles per charge, which is crazy.

Additional features include hydraulic braking, front/rear lighting, a front suspension fork, 5 levels of pedal assist, and the option to choose between a thumb or half-twist throttle.

What’s really great about the Model A though, is that you can customize every aspect of it, essentially designing your own bike.

You get to pick the color of each component, as well as choose from several upgrades including a 7-speed shifter, torque sensor, or suspension seat posts.

And when it comes to hauling capabilities, the Model A comes with an impressive 420 lb payload capacity and the option to choose from lots of different MIK compatible racks, baskets, and bags.

This bike isn’t compatible with any passenger seating, so it’s not the best option for hauling family members around, but if you’re looking for a highly customizable bike for hauling cargo, it could be a great option.

 

#7 The RadWagon 4

This is another impressive hauler by Rad Power Bikes, but unlike the sporty RadRunner 3 Plus mentioned earlier, this one’s a little longer and not quite as sleek.

In other words, it’s more like your traditional cargo bike.

But with a 750W motor and a 672Wh battery, the RadWagon 4 still comes with some serious performance specs.

This is another Class II e-bike, topping out at around 20 mph with either pedal assist or throttle and that range should get you somewhere around 25 – 45 miles depending on riding conditions.

This wagon comes with 5 levels of pedal assist, a half twist throttle, a 7-speed shifter, and integrated front/rear lights as well.

And it’s compatible with several different baskets, seats, and other rack accessories so you can customize for your hauling needs as you see fit.

And with 22″ tires, it sits a little lower to the ground, making it easy to get on/off of and it also keeps your center of gravity a little lower, making it easier to handle when loaded up.

Speaking of which, the RadWagon 4 comes with a payload capacity of 350 lb, allowing plenty of room for kids, groceries, or whatever else you need to transport.

You also get to choose between 3 colors.

Overall, if you’re looking for a quality cargo bike that’s reasonably priced, the RadWagon 4 is worth considering.

 

#8 Velotric’s Packer 1

Rounding out my list here is a sophisticated cargo bike by Velotric.

If you aren’t familiar, Velotric’s a popular brand known for their quality and reasonably-priced e-bikes.

Anyway, the aptly-named Packer 1 is their take on a traditional cargo bike and it comes with some great features.

In terms of performance, it comes with a 750W rear humb motor that can reach a top motor-assisted speed of 20 mph (can be unlocked to reach 25 mph).

And with 75Nm of torque, the Packer does well with hills too, which isn’t always the case for cargo models.

This e-bike comes standard with a 691.2Wh (48V, 14.4Ah) battery that should get most riders up to 45 miles per charge, depending on usage.

Additional cool features include a large display, USB charging, an 8-speed shifter, fenders, and front/rear lighting.

And when it comes to straight up hauling, it’s going to be hard to find more impressive specs.

The Packer 1 comes with a payload limit of 440 lb, including a rear rack weight limit of 176 lb.

This is awesome, but even more so considering this bike only weighs about 76 lb.

Overall, if you’re looking for a well-priced cargo bike with serious hauling capabilities, the Packer 1 should be on your short list.

 

 

 

Electric Cargo Bikes 101

Many e-bike brands offer “cargo” or “utility” bikes now and the two names refer to the same style of ride.

Regardless of what you call ’em, these are bikes designed specifically for the purpose of carrying additional loads.

This can mean hauling groceries from the store, taking the kids to/from school, or running other errands around town.

Cargo bikes are able to do this primarily through the addition of larger rear racks that are compatible with various seats, baskets, and other accessories.

Most cargo bikes are also compatible with front baskets/racks for even more hauling options.

Since cargo bikes, by definition, are designed for carrying more than just a single rider, it’s important for them to have sturdier frames and higher payload capacities (how much total weight the bike can handle, including the weight of the riders).

Cargo bikes come in a lot of different styles, but most will include an elongated frame to make room for the larger racks.

These e-bikes tend to be a little heavier too, which makes sense considering they need reinforced frames to handle the extra weight.

When comparing these e-bikes, it’s a good idea to think about the following:

Motor

It’s a smart idea to check out the motors when comparing e-bikes of any variety because this is what will be powering your rides (or at least helping to power ’em).

E-bike motors come with various power ratings and having a more powerful motor is certainly helpful when climbing steeper inclines or hauling heavier loads.

But keep in mind that stronger motors will also drain your battery faster.

So, if you’ll be going shorter distances, climbing steeper inclines, or riding on rougher terrain, going with a stronger battery makes sense; but if you’ll be riding on flatter, smoother terrain and are more interested in range, going with a weaker motor might be the better move.

Most cargo bikes max out with a 750W motor, although some come with even more muscle.

You can also choose motors based on where they’re located on the bike.

Rear hub motors are located with the rear tire, while mid-drive motors are located in the middle of the bike with the pedals and crank.

Rear hub motors are more affordable; mid-drive motors are more expensive, but they usually offer smoother performance and a more balanced bike.

Check out my full article on this topic for more info.

Battery/Range

You’ll always want to compare batteries too because this is what largely affects how much range you’ll get between charges.

When looking at batteries, you can compare voltages (V), amps, amp-hours (Ah), and watt-hours (Wh) and looking at all these stats can get overwhelming fast.

Especially if you aren’t an electrical engineer.

Feel free to dive into these different details as much as you like, but personally, I take the easier route and usually look for the Wh rating because this takes into account the voltage and amp-hour ratings and gives us an idea as to how long the battery should last with a full charge.

The higher the Wh rating, the longer the battery should last (but again, keep in mind stronger motors pull more power).

Luckily, most brands offer their own estimates regarding the expected ranges you’ll get per charge as well.

Just know that your real world range will vary based on rider size, terrain, riding conditions, and how much motor assistance you use.

If you plan on using your cargo bike to travel longer distances, look for an e-bike with a larger battery or even dual-battery capabilities.

Payload Capacity

You’ll also want to consider what you plan on using your e-bike for – will you be hauling kids around or other cargo?

Regardless, you’ll want to make sure you go with a bike that can safely handle your weight plus the weight of any cargo you’re carrying.

In other words, you’ll want to compare payload capacities.

By definition, cargo bikes should come with higher payload capacities than other styles of e-bike, but some bikes can still handle more weight than others.

Some bikes max out at 350 lb, others can handle well over 400 lb.

When comparing options, make sure you consider the types of loads you’ll be transporting with your bike.

Compatible Accessories

Comparing performance specs and payloads can get a little tedious, but looking at the accessories is the fun part.

E-bike manufacturers are creative and there are all kinds of additional attachments and accessories to choose from these days.

There’s some really cool stuff out there.

There are all kinds of rack and basket options out there, as well seating options for passengers and children.

There are also all kinds of different bells and whistles to choose from when it comes to consoles, lighting, alarm systems, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

Before you decide on a bike, make sure you check out what accessories it comes with and what additional add-ons it’s compatible with.

Some bikes offer a lot more options than others.

Final Thoughts

Cargo bikes are a great choice for folks looking for an all around e-bike that can be used for just about anything.

And as I hope this guide illustrates, there are a bunch of nice ones to choose from this year.

When comparing cargo bikes, I think it’s smart to think about how you’ll be using your bike because this will help you figure out which accessories and features are most important.

And it’s always a good idea to consider the motors, batteries, and payload capacities these bikes come with.

Price and budget will play a big part too of course and I realize I didn’t mention price much above.

Like any other e-bike, cargo bikes come in a wide range of budgets, but the ones I chose here all fall somewhere in the $1500 – $3500 range.

And luckily, you can find a lot of great bikes in this price range.

Anyway, I hope you found this guide helpful and as always, if you know of any great cargo bikes that deserve a spot on this list, I’d love to hear about ’em.

Just leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you shortly.

Happy riding.