Best Passenger Electric Trike 2024

Electric tricycles tend to be larger and bulkier than their two-wheeled counterparts. But the extra bulk is not just a hindrance. They open up a new world of possibilities for eBikes thanks to the extra stability provided by the third wheel.

One of these benefits is the ability to transport one or more passengers. With an electric trike, this doesn’t just have to be fit and regular adults can hold onto the bike. You can provide transport for children and seniors safely and comfortably.

In many cases, an electric trike could just as well replace a car or any other form of light transport solution. They can be a great option for parents, couples and caregivers who want to enjoy the outdoors with their loved ones.

So in this article, let’s talk about what makes passenger trikes great. We’ll also go through everything you need to know and take a look at Addmotor’s top pick: The Addmotor GREATTAN L.

Selected Passenger Electric Trike of 2024

Now you have a balanced understanding of every aspect of passenger electric trikes. So even if they provide many benefits, some things can make it too much for the average consumer.

But if the pros outweigh the cons, especially for your needs and use cases, Addmotor has the best solution for you.

Enter the Addmotor GREATTAN L E-trike, the best dual-battery electric trike on the market and the most favored passenger tricycle of this year.

The GREATTAN L combines the best features of existing Addmotor models, building on a solid base and presenting it to riders with different needs.

Here are the base specs of the Addmotor GREATTAN L:

- Price: $3,899
- Motor Power: 48V/750W rear-mounted motor with 90 Nm of torque
- Battery: Dual battery or single battery configuration with 130+ miles of range (on dual setup)
- Payload Capacity: 350lbs + 150lbs (front rider/rear passenger)
- Suspension: Double shoulder suspension fork
- Tires: 24”x4” front tires and 20”x4” rear tires

Recommended Height Range for Rider: 5’2”-6’4”

Exploring the Passenger Seat of the GREATTAN L

The most notable feature of the GREATTAN L is the rickshaw-style passenger seat in the rear.

This seat comes with all the amenities you’d need: armrests, backrests and rear storage. On top of that, it has a dedicated footboard and footpegs for comfort and accessibility.

The seating space is 23.43” long, 13.78” wide, providing enough space for an adult or two children. You can also install seat belts, attach storage bags to the sides and even set up a cargo net around the seat.

The seat can safely accommodate children and seniors. You can use the seatbelts to secure them and keep them safe while riding.

What Makes a Passenger Electric Trike So Great?

One of the standout features of a passenger electric trike is the superior cargo capacity. Passenger trikes, as the name suggests, are designed to carry people.

This means you can load up a ton of extra cargo even if you’re carrying a passenger. Passenger trikes have cargo capacities upwards of 300 lbs. So if you’re not a particularly heavy rider, you can still load in a ton of stuff.

Also, you can customize the cargo-carrying experience. You can install things like pannier bags and trailers (if the trike supports it) to maximize payload capacity and make it a true workhorse. This setup can help you ditch your car or truck entirely in favor of a more sustainable and eco-friendly solution.

Other than that, a passenger trike can provide perks like:

Extra Battery Life and Range: Passenger Trikes compensate for the extra weight by including high-capacity batteries or multi-battery packs. This means you can enjoy extra battery range whenever you’re riding light or solo.

Comfort: Passenger trikes also prioritize comfort for the passenger. These trikes include separate seating options for passengers which come with lots of padding. Also, these trikes tend to have cushier suspension systems to keep passengers safe and comfortable throughout the ride.

Safety Features: A passenger electric trike includes the best safety features to keep children, and senior passengers safe. They have more weather-resistance and reliable braking systems and stability controls. Additionally, they prioritize safety harnesses and seat belts to keep passengers safe.

Power and Performance: Passenger trikes need to pull more than 300 lbs of rider + passengers with full efficiency. This means they have high-power motors with a lot of torque capacities. So with a passenger electric trike, expect high acceleration and speed when riding solo.

Build Quality: You need a strong frame and components that can survive accidental impacts and crashes, while keeping your loved ones safe. So with a passenger electric trike, you can benefit from durable materials that last for years and enhance safety.

Accessibility and Ease of Use: Things like step-through frames, easy-to-understand controls and ergonomic seating can improve the user experience. Passenger electric trikes always come with these features, making it a worthwhile experience for both passengers and riders.

Weather Resistance: Some passenger trikes also come with extra measures to protect the passenger and rider against the elements. Things like rain canopies, improved tires and better brakes can help make riding in dangerous weather conditions safer and more comfortable.

Why You Might Not Want a Passenger Trike

All good things aside though, passenger electric trikes aren’t the entire solution. They’re still great for families and caregivers but not the first choice for commuters and riders who’ll be going at it solo most of the time.

So here are some of the things you’ll need to be mindful of when purchasing a passenger trike, especially if you’re already on the fence about it.

Higher Price Tag

There’s no sugarcoating it. Passenger electric trikes can be the most expensive type of electric trike on the market. The extra wheel, extra set and extra everything can take a toll on designing, manufacturing and shipping. So how do they cover these extra costs? By charging a higher price for it.

So even though a passenger electric trike can be the most worthwhile investment for the right person, they can be a bit too much for regular riders. In most cases, expect to shell out more than $3,000 for a passenger electric trike, especially if you want a reliable one that will last you several years.

If you’re serious about a passenger electric trike, but can’t afford it, you can consider financing. Some brands and manufacturers support platforms like Affirm where you can pay in 3-month installments.

In any case, be sure to consider your budget and the terms of the financing plan to see if this is a viable option. Always be sure to weigh the long-term benefits against the initial investment before you consider these.

Maintenance Costs

If you’re low on budget, don’t think everything’s going to be smooth sailing after the initial hurdle of upfront cost. You also have the maintenance aspects to worry about. And with heavyset passenger electric trikes, maintenance is not going to be cheap.

Passenger electric trikes have heavier components and complicated mechanics. Your everyday bike repair shop might not have the parts or expertise to service or fix a problem with a passenger electric trike.

This means you’ll have to go for higher-end repair centers or find a repair shop that the brand or manufacturer recommends. This can drive up the maintenance price, especially if you’re not skilled in maintaining it yourself.

Size and Storage

Passenger electric trikes aren’t your everyday fun and foldable electric tricycles. They’re bigger than regular eTrikes and much heavier to boot.

This means storage and transportation can become an issue. A passenger trike won’t fit in the back of an SUV or sedan. You’ll most definitely need a pickup truck or something larger.

Also, a passenger trike can prove difficult if you’re an apartment dweller or tiny home enthusiast. Most passenger electric trikes are wider than 32 inches, meaning you can’t take them indoors through most doorways in the US.

Another minor issue is finding parking space. You can’t just park a passenger electric trike in a small outdoor space just like an ebike. These trikes can take up just as much space as a small car, meaning you need a proper parking space.

This can limit your transportation options when you’re riding in busy urban environments. Also, you’ll have to plan for things in advance and you can’t just ride anywhere on a whim.

Charging Time and Battery Management

With great battery capacity, comes greater responsibility to manage them. So with a passenger electric trike, you’ll need to be careful with the batteries.

For instance, you’ll have to remind yourself to recharge them well in advance to your next riding session. Sometimes if you have a dual-battery electric trike you’ll have to use the same charger twice, this means planning your trips even more carefully.

Also, depending on the battery setup, passenger electric trikes might have limited mileage. You might be able to get 40-60 miles on a full charge (with single battery electric trikes).

This means you’ll have to go for a dual-battery electric trike or purchase spare batteries.

Wrapping Up

From a purely utilitarian viewpoint, passenger electric trikes are definitely the most versatile and useful. That said, they don’t have a smaller footprint as regular electric tricycles and they can be quite expensive, especially when compared to an eBike.

Even so, they are still a great fit for the right people. Parents, for instance, would benefit greatly from a passenger trike. Passenger electric trikes can accommodate 2-4 children safely and help families enjoy the outdoors better than a car.

Addmotor recommends their GREATTAN L as the best passenger trike of 2024. It has a dual-battery configuration and a dedicated seat in the back.