A Guide to Electric Recumbent Trikes and the 10 Best You Can Buy

With a rapidly ageing population in most developed nations, the popularity of Recumbent bikes has exploded in the past decade. That’s because these types of bikes have long conferred a litany of advantages over traditional bikes. And while many of those same advantages apply to electric recumbent bikes, adding electric power to these vehicles has put them into a whole new category of mobilization for people of all ages. 

What is an Electric Recumbent Bike?

First, there’s the name. In actuality, most are called electric recumbent trikes because of the three wheel-configuration. While you will find some dual-wheel recumbent bikes on the market, they’re fairly difficult to find and more of a niche product. 

Electric recumbent tricycles allow the rider to sit in a comfortable, laid-back position far more comfortable than an upright bike. Most seats are somewhat adjustable but are also far larger than your standard saddle seat on an upright electric bike. Most have a tadpole trike configuration meaning that they have two wheels at the front and one at the back. You will occasionally come across some electric recumbent trikes set up the opposite way with two wheels in the back and one in the front. This type of setup is called a delta trike configuration. 

In the more typical tadpole trike configuration, most of the cranks and gears along with the pedals are mounted at the front of the bike. Meanwhile, you’ll usually find the electric battery mounted somewhere in the back to provide weight balance. The seat material varies quite widely, from plush leather seats with dampening suspension to simple suspended canvas on lower-end models, and almost everything in between. 

How much do Electric Recumbent Bikes Cost?

Like many consumer products, the pricing of these bikes varies widely, depending on the quality of parts, craftsmanship, and reputation of the brand. But without a doubt, these types of electric bikes are generally more expensive than their upright electric siblings. Expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 and up to $10,000 for the top-of-the-line electric recumbent bikes. 

Advantages of Recumbent E-Bikes / Trikes

Increased riding comfort

The first advantage of these bikes is that you can have the comfort and peace of mind to sit in a relaxing position. Simply sitting in one of these bikes will save the rider’s energy, normally used to balance and stabilize an upright bike. It may not seem like much, but this is a non-trivial amount of power and effort saved for many older riders. 

Increased range and speed

Next, because of the larger size of recumbent bikes, they tend to have a larger capacity battery meaning longer range and, in many cases, higher top-end speeds. This advantage opens up an entire world of opportunity and capability as far as where you’ll take your recumbent bike. Additionally, the more lower-to-the-ground aerodynamic position of these bikes confers additional range and speed advantages. 

Easier On Older or Injured Bodies

Electric recumbent bikes have the unique ability to be easier on older or injured riders due to their combination of a laid-back sitting position and the electric drivetrain powering them. This means that those with lower back, hip, joint or shoulder issues and pain can still take advantage of hitting the open road in these amazing electric vehicles. 

A Better Riding Experience

Riding an electric recumbent trike is more akin to sitting in a low to the ground sports car with instant torque power. The lower position also allows for a more direct and exciting connection with the road. It’s almost like being able to take a fun, but silent go-kart out on the streets all the time!

Great for Long-Range Trips

While the ranges vary on the exact model of trike you wind up buying; some recumbent trikes can get over 50 miles of range on a single charge. And with the additional cargo and storage space that this type of bike affords, it is easy to throw in an extra battery or two and swap in them out when the one you’re using runs out of charge. 

Take them On or Off-Road

Most manufactures of electric recumbent bikes now offer multiple options for on or off-road wheels and tires. And with plenty of torque to boot, you’ll be able to easily take your bike on your favourite trails or even up a hill or two. So when making your purchasing decision, don’t be afraid to get an all-terrain fat tire electric recumbent bike. 

Great for Hauling Cargo

Because of their low center of gravity and ample torque and battery power, electric recumbent bikes are a fantastic option for hauling a cargo or kids trailer of significant size and weight. This makes long road trips a breeze. 

Now that you know a little bit more about these electric trikes, have a look at some of the best electric recumbent bikes available:

This fat-tire electric trike is about more than just utility. It’s got plenty of stylish looks as well. The four-inch fat tires will let you hit rough roads and uneven gravel with ease while the compact yet powerful 1000W of power will get you up to a top speed of 26mph in a breeze. But if you don’t anticipate yourself riding too much on the trails, you can choose to purchase this bad-boy with regular road tires. Though to be honest, every part of this electric recumbent trike has been designed to take you on more than just smooth surfaces. With an independent front suspension and rear coil-over suspension, it will be a comfortable ride no matter what kind of riding surface you decided to take it on. Available with three different battery sizes, this is an excellent choice for anyone just dipping their toes into the electric recumbent bike world.

Available with a rear-wheel mid-drive motor, this electric trike features a reclined seat and suspension on all three wheels providing for a very comfortable ride. Designed for long-distance riding in various weather conditions, the trike is customizable with different power and speed ratings. The base model comes with 250W of power and has a maximum speed of 25km/h, while the top-end “Power” model comes with a whopping 3000W of power and can get you up to speeds of 60km/h.

Remember when I told you about that Delta configuration trikes sometimes come in? That’s the sort you’re used to seeing toddlers drive around. But don’t confuse this configuration for being inferior in any way on an electric recumbent bike. Featuring a 500W engine, this bike will get you up to a maximum speed of 15mph while providing a comfortable and secure ride.

This rather affordable delta configured electric recumbent trike includes a fully adjustable mesh-back saddle along with a padded bottom for added comfort. With traditional handlebars, you’ll feel like you’re riding a motorcycle that provides for a position that is better suited for casual riding. 1000W of power provides plenty of power to get you up hills and through adverse weather conditions. While this is more of a starter trike, it’s still got plenty of awesome features you’ll enjoy.

Don’t even bother looking at this electric trike unless you’re considering buying the Ferrari of recumbent bikes. It’s not cheap. You could buy a decent used car for what this trike will cost you. But oh my, is it every glorious. So if you’ve ever dreamed of riding across the country, this is the right electric trike to get. Designed to be your primary mode of transportation (kind of like a second car), this multi-day road trip beast is an amazing piece of technology. With plenty of motor, battery and accessory options, you can customize this electric trike to your exacting needs. The standard motor comes in at 1000W of power and a 25mph speed limit, while the top-end engine can get you up to 3000W of power and blazing top speed of 45mph. Imagine the looks you’ll get on the road when you’re zipping along almost as fast as the cars going by.

And if that wasn’t enough, the top-end battery will get you up to around 200 miles of range. Which, for an electric trike, is kind of crazy if you think about it.

When a product has the word “Rocket” attached to it, it was likely designed for speed. That certainly applies to this HP Velotechnik electric trike. With a top speed of 28 mph, this vehicle is all about speed, but don’t let that fool you into thinking there isn’t more to discover. Manufactured in Germany, this electric trike has plenty of automobile manufacturing DNA. Check out all the amazing features this electric beast has to offer:

This tadpole configuration electric trike is another performance-minded electric vehicle that features direct steering and a one-piece sling seat system. With a 1000W electric drive system onboard, you’ll be zipping up to a maximum speed of 26 mph in no time. One unique feature of this trike I haven’t often seen is the electronic thumb throttle that makes it easy to increase and decrease your speed at any time. With a 21-speed drivetrain, you’ll also not be afraid to only ride with the pedal-assist sensor while tackling the steepest of hills as you make your way through the mountainside views.

Available in two primary models, this bike from ICE uses some of the best components available on the market. That, of course, comes with the expected higher price-tag. And while this isn’t the fastest trike on this list, it’s perhaps the most efficient, meaning you’ll get some pretty great range out of a relatively small motor and battery.

Designed for touring and leisurely riding, this is the relaxed approach to owning and using an electric recumbent tricycle. Simple to ride and easy to control, this trike is still plenty of fun. With a generous range and a 250W mid-drive motor that is amongst the lightest in the category, you’ll still get plenty of torque. 50Nm of torque, to be exact. Direct steering and a Bosch hub motor ensure that you’ll easily go up to 60+ miles on a single charge.

Stability, speed, off-road capability and the capacity for up to 400 lbs make this one special electric recumbent trike. With massive 48 spoke wheels and 110 psi tires, the direct drive motor is the vehicle’s heart and brains with over 1000 watts of power. Ideal for more, um, portly riders, this electric trike features a low center of gravity along with stable cambered wheel wheels and an extra padded mesh seat.