Yes— keeping the battery fully or nearly fully charged ensures you have enough range for your next trip and maintains optimal battery charge levels. Modern batteries are much better equipped to avoid problems from overcharging.
How to Transport Your E-Bike Safely This Summer
Written by: Rémy Rossi | June 20, 2024 | Time to read 5 min
Whether you're driving cross-country or just across town, here's how to transport your e-Bike without wrecking your ride.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
Not every ride starts from your front door. Whether you’re traveling with your electric bike or driving to the riding area, you’ll need a safe and secure way to transport it. E-Bikes are heavier than standard bicycles, requiring a bit more elbow grease and sturdier bike racks. Here’s how to properly transport your electric bike in or on a vehicle, plus a few tips to help lighten the load.
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Upway is the ultimate platform for buying and selling e-Bikes online. Find your next e-Bike at up to 60% off retail prices, offered in new or like-new condition.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between transporting an e-Bike and a regular bicycle?
You may already be used to transporting normal bicycles with your car; however, it’s not the same story with electric bikes. Electric bikes are heavier, have electronic parts, and cost more than standard bikes, so here are a few additional considerations when transporting an e-Bike:
- More weight: E-Bikes weigh more than standard, non-motorized bikes, often exceeding a standard bike rack’s payload capacity.
- Battery: You should remove the battery when transporting the bike to save weight and protect it from heavy vibrations and the elements.
- E-Bike value: Electric bikes cost more, so take extra precautions when leaving them in or on your vehicle. Lock the bike to the rack when leaving it unattended.
How do I transport an electric bike?
There are several ways to transport bicycles via car, but not all of them are appropriate for electric bikes, which are heavier than non-motorized bikes. For e-Bikes, you can use a hitch-mounted bike rack or carry them inside the vehicle. Roof racks and trunk-mounted racks cannot support the additional weight of electric bikes.
- Roof rack: E-Bikes are too heavy to be supported properly on top of a car with a roof rack. In addition, it would be extremely difficult to lift a heavy e-Bike above your head to secure it to the roof rack.
- Trunk rack: These racks also can’t typically handle the extra weight of e-Bikes
- Hitch-mounted rack: This is the preferred option for transporting electric bikes. The sturdy hitch mounting system supports plenty of weight for up to four electric bikes on some heavy-duty models.
- Inside the car: You can also transport your bike inside your vehicle. You’ll likely have to remove the wheels and play a bit of Tetris, but it’s doable.
How to use a hitch-mounted rack for electric bikes
The recommended way to transport an e-Bike by car is with a hitch-mounted bike rack. This style of sturdy rack is also called receiver-mounted, tray, or platform-style rack. The rack connects to a vehicle’s hitch, which can support seriously heavy loads. Depending on the vehicle, it will have a 1½” hitch receiver or a 2” receiver— choose the rack that’s compatible with the receiver size.
How to load an e-Bike onto a rack? The ideal hitch rack design is one with a low-to-the-ground platform or “tray” where the wheels rest. This reduces the amount you have to lift your hefty e-Bike when placing it on the rack. Some racks even come with a small ramp to facilitate rolling your e-Bike up onto the rack. Then you’ll secure the bike via clamps or straps, depending on the rack model.
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Transporting an e-Bike inside the car
If you’ve got enough space inside your vehicle, that’s where you can fit an electric bike. Electric bikes are indeed heavier than standard bicycles, but aren’t much larger. I’ve squeezed my bikes into cramped cars in all sorts of ways, in the trunk, back row of seats, or a mix.
You’ll probably want to take both wheels off the bike first. You can also remove the battery and put it in a safe place— this also makes the bike lighter and easier to move around. To make the bike even smaller, you can lower (or remove) the seat post or even remove the handlebars if they’re getting in the way.
Folding electric bikes can be even easier to fit inside a car. Compared to commuter e-Bikes or e-MTBs, for example, the ability to collapse down helps folding e-Bikes squeeze into the trunk or rear end of a car.
Top Tips for Transporting E-Bikes in or on a Vehicle
Use a lock on the rack
Keep your electric bike safe with a quality bike lock connected to the rack. Some premium bike racks come with security features already built in. Remove the lock when driving so the lock doesn’t bang around on the wheels or frame, which could cause damage. But when leaving the car and bikes unattended, make sure to lock them up.
Use a ramp
Electric bikes are heavy, meaning lifting them— even onto a hitch rack that’s near the ground— can be a big effort. Buy a rack that has a ramp feature or make your own to help roll the bike onto the wheel wells of the rack.
Inside a car, use a cover or keep things clean
I’ve stained the interior of many friends’ cars with a greasy bike chain— grease marks have even made it onto the ceiling panels, though I don’t quite know how. Transporting your bike inside your vehicle can be a great solution, but take precautions to keep things clean. Place a large mat or cover down and rest the bike on top of it, preventing any grime, dirt, and grease from getting on the interior of the car.
Transporting e-Bikes with or without a battery?
I highly recommend removing the battery when transporting an electric bike. The bike will be lighter and easier to load without the battery, and it prevents possible theft as well. Batteries are securely attached to the frame, but the heavy vibrations while driving and exposure to extreme temperatures or rain are best avoided altogether.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I charge my e-Bike after every ride?
Should I remove my e-Bike battery when not in use?
For short-term storage, it’s encouraged to leave the battery on the bike where it’s designed to be. For long-term storage, take it out and keep it at room temperature. Modern chargers are designed to prevent overcharging, but keeping it at 100% charge levels still puts extra stress on the battery.
What is the warranty on Upway bikes?
Upway offers a one-year limited warranty on all its e-Bikes that covers mechanical and electrical defects. We also provide guaranteed delivery and will compensate as warranted in the rare case of any shipping damage.
Key Takeaways
- Use a hitch-mounted rack: Roof and trunk racks often can’t handle an e-Bike’s extra weight.
- Always remove the battery to reduce weight, protect electronics, and prevent theft.
- If transporting inside the vehicle, protect your car’s interior with covers and remove wheels for a better fit.
