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Car and Driver
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Best Cargo E-Bikes of 2025, Tested
Thanks to ever-improving electric motors and increasingly affordable battery power, e-bikes have exploded in popularity over the past few years. Having already tested electric scooters, we decided it was time to dip our toes into another corner of two-wheeled transportation. Instead of chasing speed this time, we kicked off our e-bike coverage with the utilitarian workhorses of the category: cargo e-bikes. After all, what better way to offset car usage than with the two-wheeled equivalent of a minivan? Over the past few months, we've logged countless hours and miles to find out which models look sharp, ride well, and offer the most real-world utility. Spoiler: There's no one-size-fits-all winner. But our roundup breaks down the standouts so you can find the cargo e-bike that best fits your needs. Things to Consider When Buying a Cargo E-Bike Motor Power Most cargo e-bikes come with motors rated between 250 and 750 watts. The higher the wattage, the easier it is to climb hills and accelerate when carrying heavy loads. More power can mean more weight and faster battery drain, so balance your needs with your riding style. Hub-Drive vs. Mid-Drive Hub motors are mounted in the center of the rear wheel and provide a simple, often more affordable setup. Mid-drive motors, by comparison, are located at the crank (where the pedals are). They generally have a more traditional-bicycle experience and feel more natural under load. Unfortunately, that normally comes at a cost, with mid-drive motors often costing a decent bit more than their hub-driven counterparts. Class 1, 2, or 3: Class 1 e-bikes offer pedal-assist up to 20 mph and are legal on most bike paths. Class 2 models add an accelerator control to let you ride without pedaling, also limited to 20 mph. Class 3 bikes bump pedal-assist speed to 28 mph, making them quicker on streets but sometimes restricted on multi-use trails. Cadence vs. Torque Sensors: A cadence sensor activates the motor when you start pedaling and provides an equal level of power (at any given pedal-assist mode) regardless of how fast you're actually pedaling. Torque-sensing motors, on the other hand, measure how hard you're pedaling and adjust power output accordingly. This offers a more intuitive response that can feel more natural compared to cadence-sensing systems. Although purists may disagree, we don't think one is necessarily better than the other—they simply have different feels and one might fit your needs and preferences better than the other. Weight Capacity Cargo e-bikes are built to carry stuff, but exactly how much varies widely from one bike to another. Many bikes support 300 to 400 pounds, while heavy-duty models can handle upwards of 500. Always check the total payload capacity (including rider and gear) to ensure you're riding safely. Range Based on our experience, expect around 30 to 60 miles on a single battery charge, depending on weight, terrain, and assist level. If you're planning long trips or regular heavy-duty use, look for models that support a second battery to double your range. Pedal-Assist Modes (PAS Modes) Most e-bikes offer three to five levels of pedal assist. These modes, sometimes shortened to PAS, let you choose how much help you get from the motor when pedaling or using the accelerator. More modes mean better fine-tuning of control over battery use and riding effort, while maintaining flexibility when trying to extend your range or battle that final hill before you get home. Comfort and Ergonomics Comfort is key when you're hauling people or packages. An adjustable and properly padded saddle, adjustable handlebars, and other components can make a big difference, especially on longer rides. Another thing you'll want to keep in mind is your height. Some bikes, such as those with step-through frames, might be better if you're on the shorter end of the spectrum, while taller people might want to prioritize bikes with taller handlebars and seating positions. Assembly and Maintenance Some e-bikes arrive nearly ready to ride out of the box. Others require tools, patience, and some elbow grease. Mid-drive motors offer great performance but put more strain on chains and drivetrains, increasing long-term maintenance. Consider local bike-shop support or mobile services if you're not a DIY type. Interface E-bike interfaces range from minimalist LEDs to full-color screens that show speed, range, and assist levels. Accelerator controls are another consideration you'll want to take into account. You'll almost only ever come across thumb lever or wrist-twist types, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution here. Some riders on our team preferred the thumb-lever design, while others preferred a twisting accelerator. Best Cargo E-Bikes, Tested
Top Gear
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
What is a range extender? And can I buy an aftermarket one?
Top Gear Advice A battery-electric vehicle (BEV) powered by electrons and fossil fuels. Wait, what? Skip 1 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Not something that makes your wifi powerful enough for the whole street to abuse, but a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) paired up with... fossil fuels. Wait, what? How the heck does that work? Because the electric motor drives the axle from a battery, this is an electric car. But there's an on-board petrol-drinking generator that can recharge the battery once it's depleted, hence the 'range-extending' title. Advertisement - Page continues below Sure, both of them utilise an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motor, so you're right. But where the ICE drives the axle in a hybrid (whether it's 'self-charging' or a plug-in hybrid (PHEV)), the electric motor does all the work in a range extender. Semantics? Hardly. Since you're not connecting the engine to the wheels (only to the battery), carmakers can use a much simpler design – no driveshaft, no clutch, no gearbox. Plus, as it's not a geared engine, it can run with the optimal fuel efficiency and last a lot longer, too. You might like Well, triple bubble if you think about it. Not only are you driving around on delicious, earth-friendly electrons, you've also got an engine with the sweetest spot of energy-extracting efficiency to send more electrons to the battery and you're still capitalising on regenerative braking tech. Gotcha. What's the catch? You need a Scrabble board to figure out some of the titles. REX, REEV, EREV are some of the basic acronyms. REX stands for, er, Range Extender, a REEV is a 'range-extending electric vehicle', and an EREV is not a Bristolian call-to-arms even if it reads like one. It stands for 'electric range-extending vehicle'. Advertisement - Page continues below With all the engineering knowledge in all the land, you'd think a bunch of clever folk could get a few letters figured out in a similar order, eh? Anything else I should know? As the engine doesn't drive the wheels directly, there's far less vibration, so you still benefit from the quiet that is an electric vehicle. Plus, all this gubbins is far more cost-effective for manufacturers to tool up for, meaning the consumer cost of the range extender should be more attractive, too. SOLD. What cars can I buy with one of these amazing range extender set-ups? Erm, that's a bit tricky actually. The tech debuted on the Vauxhall Ampera (Chevy Volt for our US friends, and Opel Ampera to our mates on the continent). It was well-deployed in the BMW i3 (REX), and some folks living in countries with more extensive land mass than Britain have looked to mod with aftermarket, insurance-invalidating set-ups. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. The now-cancelled Ineos Fusilier was meant to have one, and Genesis intends to put one in the GV90 come 2027 (though that's not bound for UK shores just yet). VW – in collaboration with SAIC - showcased its first range-extending ID model, the SUV at Auto Shanghai 2025, but that was just a concept. With ZF creating the next-generation of range-extending powertrains after "increased demand from the industry", expect to see more Rs, Es, and Vs in model names at some point in the future. You're hunting the used car market for the odd Fisker Karma otherwise.
