Cargo electric bikes for families: long-tails and utility bikes

A cargo e-bike can take the place of the car on short family trips: the school run, the shopping, the park. The bikes below range from $1,499 to $4,999 at each brand's US store, from long-tails to smaller utility bikes. We picked them for the completeness of what their makers publish and to cover each budget.

Reading the load ratings

Brands state the weight a cargo bike can take in different ways. Some give a payload (rider, passengers and cargo); Tern gives a maximum gross vehicle weight, which includes the bike itself. Compare like with like, and check the rear rack's own rating separately: it is usually far below the bike's total.

The models at a glance

Model	Price	Motor	Torque	Battery	Weight	Certification (stated)
Tern GSD P10 Tern	$4,999	–	85 Nm	1,000 Wh	76 lb (34.6 kg)	UL 2849
Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5 Rad Power Bikes	$2,399	750 W	90 Nm	–	–	UL 2271, UL 2849
Segway Muxi Segway	$1,699.99	750 W	80 Nm	717 Wh	–	–
Velotric Packer Velotric	$2,199	750 W	75 Nm	691 Wh, 48 V 14.4 Ah	75 lb (34 kg)	UL 2271, UL 2849
Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus Utility Rad Power Bikes	$1,799	750 W	70 Nm	–	–	UL 2271, UL 2849
Cyrusher Glider Cyrusher	$1,599	750 W	95 Nm	811 Wh, 52 V 15.6 Ah	75 lb (33.8 kg)	–
Himiway C3 Himiway	$1,499	750 W	–	960 Wh, 48 V 20 Ah	–	–
Tern Quick Haul D8 Tern	$2,999	–	50 Nm	400 Wh	50 lb (22.8 kg)	–
TENWAYS Longtail TENWAYS	$3,499	250 W	95 Nm	720 Wh, 36 V 20 Ah	71 lb (32 kg)	–

Prices at each brand's own store in the United States unless another market is named; figures as the brands state them.

For carrying children

Tern GSD P10: $4,999

A Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive with 85 Nm, a 500 Wh battery and a bay for a second one (up to 129 miles with both), a maximum gross vehicle weight of 210 kg with 100 kg on the rear rack, a cockpit that adjusts without tools for riders from 150 to 200 cm, UL 2849 and testing to the German cargo bike standard DIN 79010. See how it compares with the RadWagon 5.

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 5: $2,399

A long-tail with a 750 W geared hub motor and 90 Nm, Class 3 assistance and a stated payload of 375 lb (170 kg) with a rider of up to 265 lb, for riders from 4 ft 11 in to 6 ft 3 in. Rad Power Bikes states UL 2849 and UL 2271.

Segway Muxi: $1,699.99

Segway's cargo e-bike: a 750 W motor with 80 Nm, a 717 Wh battery for up to 80 miles and a throttle, switchable between Class 1, 2 and 3 (assistance to 23 mph). The Muxi Pro at $1,999.99 assists to 28 mph.

Tenways Longtail: $3,499

A long-tail with a mid-drive of 95 Nm and a torque sensor, a 720 Wh battery for up to 62 miles, 24-inch wheels and a weight of 32 kg.

Under $2,000

Himiway C3: $1,499

The lowest price here: a 750 W motor with a torque sensor and a throttle, and the largest single battery in this list at 960 Wh, which Himiway rates for 60 to 80 miles.

Cyrusher Glider: $1,599

A 750 W hub motor with 95 Nm and a torque sensor, an 811 Wh battery for up to 62 miles, Class 2 and 3 and 28 mph, at 75 lb.

Rad Power Bikes RadRunner Plus: $1,799

Rad's utility bike, with a 750 W hub motor and 70 Nm, front suspension and Class 2 operation; Rad Power Bikes states UL 2849 and UL 2271.

Utility and light

Velotric Packer: $2,199

A utility bike with a 750 W motor and 75 Nm, a removable 691 Wh battery for up to 52 miles, IPX6 protection, Class 2 and UL 2849 and UL 2271 stated.

Tern Quick Haul D8: $2,999

The lightest of the bikes here whose weight is stated, at 22.8 kg (50 lb), with a Bosch mid-drive of 50 Nm, a 400 Wh battery for up to 65 miles and a rear rack that carries 50 kg.