Could these electric cargo bikes replace your car?

So you want to go electric on two wheels, but still need some level of practicality.

Electric bikes come in all shapes and sizes nowadays, but if you want to carry your belongings or kids with you, the best option is a cargo bike.

Most feature a longer wheelbase than a standard machine, a rack to strap things to, or a hopper – basically a large load carrier – to carry your belongings. Some hoppers even have small seats for children. 

But which electric cargo bikes are best and can they be used as your daily commuter? We went in seat of the best, weirdest and coolest machines we could find. Here's what we came up with. 

After seeing the BBC Bike Bureau, an electric cargo bike designed to offer mobile broadcasting launch last week, we felt inspired to scour the internet for some of the best, weirdest, and coolest electric cargo bikes we could find. Here’s what we came up with.

1. Vok S

A quadricycle by definition, the Vok S is designed for business use and comes with a 420 litre cargo volume. With the roof, windscreen (with wipers) and vehicle-like seat, it’s comfortable in any weather. There’s also regenerative braking to prolong the life of the brakes as well as offering extended range.

2. Babboe Dog-E

We couldn’t do a list of the coolest e-cargo bikes without adding one specifically designed for canines, now could we?! A front-loading e-cargo, the Babboe Dog-E comes with a large wooden box on the front with a ramp so your dog can walk in and out of the cargo bike on their own. It also comes with belts and a bench so if you swap your dog for humans, they’ll stay safely in place. 

3. Gleam Escape E-Cargo Trike 

Dynamic tilting technology? Check. Full-suspension comfort? Check. The Gleam Escape E-Cargo Trike offers a versatile platform for plenty of carrying capacity. From a top loading box with 350 litres of capacity, to a 500 litre option, there’s plenty to like about this three-wheeler, and lots of options to build it to your business’s spec.

4. Tern HSD S+

Want (almost) the carrying capacity of a full-size e-cargo but don’t have the space? That’s where the Tern HSD S+ comes in. With 20” wheels and 60kg of capacity on the rear rack alone, it’s a compact e-cargo bike designed for compact spaces. A great option for getting into the cargo game as well if you want something that will perform equally as well as a leisure bike.

 5. Urban Arrow Shorty

In a similar vein to the Tern HSD S+, the Urban Arrow Shorty is a similar length to a regular city style bike, but with a twist: a total gross vehicle weight of 225kg. The front cargo box can hold up to 150 litres of volume and 85kg max weight, making it a viable option for many small businesses and utility riders alike.

6. Ice Cream bike

Bringing ice cream serving to a new environmentally friendly level is the Motrike Ice Cream Bike. It comes with a large freezer for storing all your drinks and ice creams, and is powered by a 500W motor. Perhaps not one for the UK, but a supremely good idea nonetheless!

7. Raleigh Stride 2 Family Cargo Bike

With up to 40 miles of range on a single battery and a cargo capacity of 80kg, the Raleigh Stride 2 Family Cargo Bike offers a great solution for getting the kids around without needing to use a car or public transport. It’s a firm favourite for those on a tighter budget, and there’s even a rear rack as well to put all the kids’ belongings. 

8. Pashley ALECS

The Pashley ALECS or, “Articulated Lightweight Electric Cargo Solution” is designed for high-loads of cargo up to 100kg and uses a patented tilting system to keep everything balanced. It’s narrow, too so perfect for urban areas where you might need to filter through traffic. 

9. Raleigh Pro Electric Cargo Trike

It may look like some sort of space pod, but this three-wheeler boasts a 900 litre capacity in its front storage space. There are two 20” wheels up front and a rear 26” wheel for stability, built-in front and rear lights, and a mid-motor Yamaha motor to boot. Perfect for businesses looking for a last-mile delivery solution, or those who want something a bit space-age to ride around on.

10. Ferla Mini

In our dream configuration, we’d set up some sort of coffee cart with the Ferla Mini, riding around the coast and serving customers overpriced terrible cups. But you can make it into whatever your little entrepreneurial heart desires, as Ferla sell things like grill carts, ice cream carts and more.