Channel Your Inner Child With the Best Electric Tricycles for Adults

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Sales of electric bikes are rapidly accelerating, no pun intended — they’re expected to top 40 million this year — thanks to improvements in lithium-ion battery tech and lifestyle changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those same factors have also juiced the market for electric tricycles — which, while lagging behind their two-wheeled brethren in sales, are actually a better choice for many people. Why? Thanks to that third wheel, they’re much more stable, which makes a huge difference for people who find traditional bikes difficult to ride. They’re also particularly well-suited for older adults or those with disabilities or injuries. But overall, they can be an immense lifestyle improvement for everyone from single city-dwellers to suburban families.

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As far as price, electric tricycles tend to be a few hundred bucks pricier than comparable e-bikes from the same brand — as a benchmark, an entry-level e-bike will set you back around $1,000 — but it's a fair upcharge for the extra ease of use.

BEST OVERALL

Price: $1,540.00

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The EVRYJourney electric tricycle from LA-based Sixthreezero does everything an e-trike should do, and it does it well. Its 250-watt battery lasts 18 to 40 miles in full electric mode and 20 to 60 in pedal assist mode. Its step-through frame is easy to mount and dismount. While riding, the frame facilitates a relaxed but upright riding position that's comfortable over the long-term because it keeps all major joints in tension-free positions. The heavily padded seat, synthetic leather grips, and shock-absorbent tires also ensure a smooth, comfortable ride.

Looks-wise, its cruiser-style frame elicits a beachy vibe with its pastel colorways, but Sixthreezero offers more neutral colors, like navy and matte black, that look just as sharp. Bonus: its rear basket is spacious enough to carry multiple bags of groceries without feeling bulky.

BEST FOR LONG RIDES

Price: $3,899.00 $2,999.00

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Coolest Feature: Advancements in battery technology are behind much of the growth in adult electric tricycles, and this model is a prime example. The Samsung battery in this GRANDTAN model has a range of more than 85 miles per charge, putting it at the high end of what's possible with the current generation of e-trikes.

Hot Take: The support added by the adjustable padded seat back is more than worth making this e-trike look a bit like the electric wheelchair at the supermarket. Wasn't it every kid's dream to cruise down the bread aisle in one of those bad boys anyways?

BEST VALUE

Price: $869.99

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Made For: Those who want to give e-trikes a shot but are hesitant to drop four figures. This electric tricycle for adults from Viribus gives riders the full e-trike experience for just $900 — a relative bargain for a trike that still comes with a cargo basket, bright headlight, and multiple riding modes.

Coolest Feature: The right handlebar control makes it easy to switch between throttle, manual, and pedal assist operation, and it's located right next to the battery gauge that will help inform the rider's decision on which mode to use.

BEST FOR PASSENGERS

Price: $3,499.99

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Made For: Taking the kids, grandkids, or friends to those places that are too far to walk but close enough that driving feels wasteful. And if you end up getting some cargo for the ride home? That's what laps are for.

Coolest Feature: This e-trike swaps out the cargo basket and 250-watt motor of Sixthreezero's base-model electric tricycle for a double seat and a 750-watt motor that makes it a fantastic solution for riders who want to haul passengers, not stuff.

BEST FOR HEAVY LOADS

Price: $2,499.00

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Made For: People who need their electric tricycle to carry a lot of stuff. Rad Bikes says the 415-pound payload capacity (inclusive of a rider up to 325 pounds) on this e-trike is industry-leading, and it's certainly enough to pack grilling equipment, beach gear, groceries, and whatever else can fit in its sizeable rear and front cargo baskets.

Coolest Feature: The RadTrike comes with reverse mode and a parking brake — features that are rare for this category but make sense given the cargo capacity. Backing up to unload stuff can definitely make life easier, and ensuring that it won't roll away even when fully loaded and parked on an incline is pretty important for peace of mind.

BEST FOLDING E-TRIKE

Price: $1,499.00

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Made For: Those who want to take their e-trike far from home. The XP Trike from Lectric, one of the bigger brands in electric cycling, is the first fully-foldable and fully-assembled electric tricycle. When folded down, it's just over 3 feet long and about 30 inches tall and wide — a size that can fit in a standard car trunk. And at 69.5 pounds (including its battery), it's one of the lightest e-bikes on the market, making it less of a chore to lift it into the back of the car than the competition.

Coolest Feature: Given their limited range (relative to cars), electric tricycles for adults are great tools for exploring the community. An e-trike that packs into a trunk can go anywhere is a great tool for exploring everywhere else — a dramatic expansion of its utility that's hard to overstate.

BEST WORKSHORSE

Price: $2,899.00

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Made For: Folks with a lot of stuff to haul. This heavy-duty e-trike has an oversized rear cargo basket, another basket in the front, and a 500-watt motor that's strong enough to transport riders up to 35 miles per charge.

Coolest Feature: The oversized tires both add to the beast aesthetics of this electric tricycle and allow riders to take this thing over bumpy terrain. It might not be able to go up and down mountains, but it can handle trails and beaches with ease.

Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Tricycles

Are electric trikes street legal?

Generally, yes, but laws vary state-by-state. Before you buy one, check out the laws in your state as helpfully collected by People for Bikes, a cycling advocacy group.

Do you need a license to operate an e-trike?

Generally, no, but the rules around licensing and helmet use are more lenient for pedal assist-only trikes with lower maximum speeds.

What about a foldable electric tricycle for adults?

Foldable e-trikes do exist, and they typically fold down small enough to fit in a standard car trunk. If you’re interested in triking around the places you stop on a road trip, they’re definitely worth considering assuming you don't already have a pickup truck or similarly beefy vehicle that can handle a full-sized trike as cargo.

Does it look insanely childish to ride an electric tricycle for adults?

Only to your haters, of which there will be many.

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