bing tracking image

Electric Bikes Mounted on White SUV with Bike Rack

Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes

Electric bike (or e-bike) sales are experiencing unprecedented growth these days. Around the time when the sickness-that-shall-not-be-named was upending our lives, many of us dug our old bikes out of the garage or even purchased new ones. (I should know, I did both!) Personally, I find electric bikes take all the best things about regular bikes and dial them up. But there's one area where e-bikes present a unique challenge: transporting them. Before purchasing my e-bike, I owned a trunk rack that was perfectly capable of supporting my hybrid. But the idea of carrying my new e-bike on that lightweight trunk rack was laughable. E-bikes, as you're no doubt aware, require something a bit more heavy duty. Working at etrailer, I'm in a unique position—I have access to just about any bike rack I could ever want or need. So I decided to bring my beloved e-bike to the shop to put these racks to the test. I also spoke to a few coworkers who frequently work with these racks to get their impressions. So here it is, the etrailer staff's favorite e-bike racks of the year.
Best Bike Racks for E-Bikes Comparison Chart (2022)
Tip: Remove batteries from your electric bikes before transporting them on your bike rack. Not only will this reduce the amount of weight you have to carry, but it's also recommended by most rack and e-bike manufacturers to keep the battery in good working order.
Expert Top Pick
Evangeline's Choice
AJ's Choice

Yakima OnRamp

  • Capacity: 2 bikes (66 lbs per bike; 40 lbs per bike for RV/off-road use)
  • Allows Trunk/Cargo Access: Yes, with bikes loaded
  • Carrier Weight: 39.5 lbs
  • Max Tire Width: 3.25"
  • Locks Included: Bike lock only
  • Frame Contact: Yes
  • RV Rated: Yes, all RV types. Reduces capacity to 40 lbs/bike
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
What I like:If you struggle to lift your e-bike onto your bike rack, the Yakima OnRamp should 100% be on your short list of racks. In fact, this rack is the personal favorite of several staff members here at etrailer, so it's earned its spot at the top of our list. Like the name suggests, this rack includes an integrated ramp so you can roll your e-bike onto the platform, rather than lift it. The ramp is decently long at 51", so it creates a shallow enough angle on most vehicles so that you're not rolling your bike up a steep hill. It's also worth nothing that, although I'm a big fan of Thule's rack with a ramp (read more about the EasyFold XT below), I do prefer the latching mechanism on the OnRamp. It completely surrounds my bike frame and feels secure even when I'm tilting the rack away from the vehicle. Some other perks: the rack comes with a bike lock (an available hitch lock is sold separately). It's also RV-rated and can be used on 5th wheels, motorhomes, travel trailers, and even flat-towed vehicles. (Just note that the weight capacity on the back of a camper drops to 40 lbs per bike.)
Wheeling e-bike onto Yakima OnRamp bike rack
Loading my e-bike onto the Yakima OnRamp
Yakima OnRamp clamp around bike frame
The wraparound latch on my bike frame
What I don't like:There's no denying that wheeling your bike up a ramp beats lifting it onto your rack, especially if you're a smaller person, have a bad back, or otherwise struggle to lift something as heavy as an e-bike. However, if you have a fat tire bike or even thicker hybrid tires, you might want to check out Thule's wider ramp on the EasyFold XT. I have hybrid tires myself, and the ramp actually squeezes the rubber and prevents me from easily wheeling my bike up the ramp. It would be perfect for a road bike with thinner tires, but the thick-tire crowd will have a harder time. My other complaint is that the mechanism to tilt the rack down away from the cargo area is located on the vehicle-side of the rack, rather than on the outside. Personally, I prefer levers or buttons on the outside of the rack for easy access to my cargo area, especially if I'm in and out of it a lot. My other minor gripe is that the rack doesn't come with a hitch lock. This is a bit surprising, since it's otherwise designed in Yakima's typical "we've thought of everything" style, but in the scheme of things, picking up a hitch lock isn't a huge deal.
Yakima OnRamp Squeezing Bike Tire
My bike tire catches on the sides of the ramp as I wheel it up

Check out AJ's Yakima OnRamp review

Jeff S. (Yakima OnRamp Owner) Says: "Great Rack - Very Happy! We just purchased 2 x e-bikes which weigh about 52 lbs each. Was debating between this and the Thule. Chose the Yakima because of the positive reviews I read and very happy I did. Assembly and installation wasn't difficult but it did take some time to get everything adjusted correctly. But once I did, it's only about 10 minutes to load / unload the bikes. The rack is very sturdy and transported our bikes safely and securely. In addition, service from etrailer was fantastic. Communication was awesome and delivery was great. Both the Yakima OnRamp and etrailer.com highly recommended!"
Expert Top Pick Label
Amber's Choice

Thule EasyFold XT

  • Capacity: 2 bikes (65 lbs per bike)
  • Allows Trunk/Cargo Access: Yes, with bikes loaded
  • Carrier Weight: 45 lbs
  • Max Tire Width: 3" (or 4-11/16" with fat bike strap)
  • Locks Included: Yes - Bike & hitch lock
  • Frame Contact: Yes
  • RV Rated: No
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
What I like:The EasyFold XT is most similar to the Yakima OnRamp in that it also provides a ramp to help e-bikers lift their heavy bikes onto their racks, but personally I prefer the EasyFold XT for several reasons. Really, I just love all the little ways Thule has thought to address small annoyances and make the process easier. For starters, let's talk about the ramp. Thule's ramp is wider than Yakima's and has no trouble accommodating my hybrid tires. (I will say, though, you'll want the extra-long loading ramp if your hitch is more than about a foot off the ground, since the EasyFold XT ramp is a bit shorter.) The EasyFold also has a wide platform, which (in my opinion) detracts a bit from its sleek look but makes it easier to load, since you don't have to worry as much about your bike slipping out of the wheel cradles. I also like the easily accessible lever on the front for tilting the rack away from your vehicle. There are no pinchy pins or awkward levers—just a giant lever I can hit with my foot or knee while holding the bikes upright. Then there are the little additions like the clips that hold the wheel straps out of the way while you load so you don't trap them beneath your wheel, and the ratchets that let you tighten down the straps for extra security, and the AutoAttach system that lets you slide into your hitch without struggling to line up the hitch pin hole. These may seem like small things, but they're the kind of things that add up when you're using the rack all the time. Another thing I like about the EasyFold is that it's one of the easiest racks to haul to and from your car, on account of how it folds up like a suitcase and lets you pull it around on 2 built-in wheels (genius, right? Why has no one put wheels on heavy bike racks before now?). Sure, it's a little awkward to bend and walk your bike rack to your car, but it beats lifting it any day. The EasyFold also folds small enough to stick in the corner of your garage between trips (with all the room it saves you, you can get another bike! Or, you know, park your car, I guess.) It can even fit in a closet, if you live in an apartment or other building without a garage. It's also worth noting that a bike and hitch lock are included with the EasyFold, so you won't have to buy any of this separately. And it's the only rack on this list that's compatible with both 1-1/4" (Class I and Class II) and 2" hitch receivers.
Loading Bike Onto Thule EasyFold Bike Rack
Wheeling my e-bike up the EasyFold ramp. It's wide, but a bit steep.
Thule EasyFold Tilting Lever
I can easily pop this lever with my knee and tilt the bike rack away from the vehicle.
Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack on Wheels
The EasyFold features 2 wheels that make it easy to wheel the rack to your car.
What I don't like:Okay, so you knew this was coming...this is a premium rack, and it comes with a premium price tag. This rack is also not your friend if you have a carbon-frame bike you don't want the rack touching. Also, it's not RV rated. Some other irritations that may or may not rise to the level of deal breakers; the ramp is just 36" long, which is fine for shorter vehicles but may present too steep an angle if your hitch sits more than a foot or so off the ground. You can purchase an extra-long ramp if needed, but this extension won't store on the rack like the original version does, and of course it's an extra cost. The arms can also be a little difficult to maneuver into place, especially if one or both bikes have top tubes. The other thing that made a few of us here at etrailer hesitate is that the frame clamps don't encircle your frame, so you really need to make sure the clamp is properly secured before tilting the rack away from the vehicle. I felt pretty secure lowering the rack, but this was one area I preferred the OnRamp's wraparound clamps.
Thule EasyFold Open Frame Clamp
The EasyFold's "open" frame clamp. You can see that the clamp grips the bike frame, but it doesn't completely enclose it on all sides.
Stephen (Thule EasyFold XT Owner) Says: "At age 70 our two new ebikes are bit too heavy for us to be lifting up onto our older Thule hitch rack. More importantly, the ebikes have fender, so the clamp-onto-the-tire holding style will not work. The EasyFold solves all those problems. A ramp to get the bikes up and down. A moveable clamping system that holds the frame solid. It lowers for access to the rear. It does not lift up when not holding bikes, but it does not stick out very far. And what is really cool, when off the vehicle it folds up like a little suitcase with wheels for easy storage and moving about. The tongue fits very snugly into my 1.25" receiver. Really well thought out, easy to use, solidly built. Great purchase."
  • Capacity: 2 bikes (60 lbs per bike) - 4 bikes (40 lbs per bike)
  • Allows Trunk/Cargo Access: Yes - with bikes loaded
  • Carrier Weight: 52 lbs
  • Max Tire Width: 3" (5" with fat bike strap)
  • Locks Included: Yes - bike and hitch lock
  • Frame Contact: Yes
  • RV Rated: No
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
What I like:To be honest, this is the rack I wanted to like the most for my e-bike, because it's always been a personal favorite of mine. Everything about this rack screams "quality," from the distinctive finish to the way the arms glide up and down (yes, I said glide. They're that smooth!). Nothing here feels cheap or janky. It's also easy to see why this is the kind of bike rack you want to leave on the back of your car. It's compact, it's sharp, and it actually adds to your vehicle's aesthetic in a way no other rack manages to do, in my opinion. It has an add-on strap for fat tires, which is important for my household, where we have both standard and fat bikes. And these days you can even get an add-on access ramp to help you load up your bike. It's important to note that it's not an integrated ramp like the OnRamp or EasyFold, so you will have to bring it along separately. But still, it's a nice option to have. And once my bike's up there, it feels super secure. Another thing many people will like about the NV: it's a wheel-mount rack, which means a) no bike frame contact and b) it's incredibly easy to carry step-through bikes. The caveat is that the wheel-mount mechanism means this rack shouldn't be used with bikes that have fenders. Unfortunately, this means my fender-clad bike doesn't play well with this rack. The Kuat NV also comes with a bonus: the built-in Trail Doc repair stand. It extends from the rack and swings out to provide you a secure area to position your bike so you can make adjustments (the weight capacity on the Trail Doc is also 60 lbs). This is great for those times when your pedal pops off halfway through a ride (or maybe that's only happened to me?). Bike and hitch locks are also included. One last thing that makes this rack stand out—there's actually a 2-bike add-on (as well as a straight-up 4-bike version) for those who need to bring more bikes along. Just keep in mind that the weight capacity per bike goes down to 40 lbs apiece with all 4 on it. There are e-bikes that fall within this weight limit, but you'll want to make sure yours do before purchasing this rack. Ultimately, I love the NV's versatility. It's a 2-bike rack that can be a 4-bike rack, that has a repair stand, and can have a ramp if you need it. Plus, come on, it looks awesome.
Kuat NV on Jeep
Kuat NV on Jeep
Look at that sleek finish and distinctive touch of orange—this bike rack makes a stylish addition to the back of any car.
What I don't like:Again, this is one of my favorite bike racks, and for certain bikes it would be my #1 choice. However, there are a few reasons it falls short for me. My main issue is that I just struggle to load my bike onto this rack. The flat, narrow platforms are part of what make the rack so sleek and compact, but there's a lot of tricky maneuvering to get the bike up there without letting a wheel slip off. There is a ramp, but since it's not included, it's an extra $100-ish you have to spend for an already pricey rack. If you can lift your e-bike more easily than I can, this rack is awesome. But if you're looking for a rack to assist you in loading your bikes, you'll want to either purchase the ramp or check out a rack that already includes one. It's also a heavy rack at 52 lbs (its compact size is deceptive), and unlike the Thule and Saris racks on this list, it doesn't include wheels. All in all, the NV is a great rack for 99% of bikes out there, and honestly I'd be happy to give it a home on the back of my car. But there are great bike racks, and then there are great bike racks for loading e-bikes, and this is more of the former than the latter.
Loading E-Bike Onto Kuat NV Rack
I struggled with loading my heavy e-bike on this rack without a ramp or other load assist.
Sean (Kuat NV Owner) Says:About the Kuat NV 2.0: Buy a Kuat NV 2.0!!! Then, get the 2 Bike Add-On to carry 4 bikes. This is hands-down THE BEST rack on the market. I chose this rack after researching THULE, Saris, Yakima, and many, many others. The Kuat NV 2.0 has a professional car quality finish, is ROCK SOLID so the bikes do not move at all, has built in locks, a built in mechanic stand, and never touches your bikes. Do your research and you will arrive at the same conclusion: THERE IS NO BETTER RACK ON THE MARKET!!!
Expert Top Pick
Adam's Choice

Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE

  • Capacity: 80 lbs per bike, 2 bikes
  • Allows Trunk/Cargo Access: Yes, with bikes loaded
  • Carrier Weight: 54 lbs
  • Tire Width: 5"
  • Locks Included: Bike and hitch lock
  • Frame contact: Yes
  • RV Rated: Motorhome only
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime
What I like:This rack is a bit bare bones compared to the others on this list, but it's a super solid rack for a super fair price, proving that you don't need to empty your wallet just to try out a new bike trail. The 80-lb per-bike capacity means you can carry basically any e-bike, and the wheel cradles accommodate 5" tires with no adapters needed. This basically means this rack can handle almost anything you throw at (or on) it. This is of particular importance to me, since this rack can actually handle my partner's 70-lb fat e-bike with no trouble, and not a lot of racks can claim that. The Sport Rider SE is also approved for the back of motorhomes (but not travel trailers, fifth wheels, etc). Even coming in at several hundred dollars less than the competition on this list, this rack can hold its own.
Bikes loaded in Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE wheel cradles
The wheel hoops are wide enough to accommodate even fat tire bikes without an adapter. My hybrid tires sit deeply, securely inside the hoops.
What I don't like:This rack was made for the heaviest bikes, but Hollywood Racks assumes you can lift those bikes with no problem. There's no ramp included or offered as of right now, so if you can't lift your e-bike to the height of your vehicle's hitch, you might want to look elsewhere. Another thing to note—if your bike (like mine) has a step-through frame, you'll need an adapter bar so the hooks have somewhere to clamp down onto. This isn't a huge deal, and with the money you save on this rack you can probably pick up an adapter bar and have cash left over, but there are certainly other bike rack styles that can accommodate step-through frames without extra fuss. I also don't care for the tilting mechanism on this rack. It's a two-step process: you have to remove a safety pin, then pull another pin from the backside of the rack. The issue I ran into was that the pressure from the rack made the safety pin hard to pull, so I had to lift the rack with one hand to relieve the pressure and pull the pin with the other. Also, the mechanism is located at an awkward spot behind the rack, so you have to crouch down between the rack and the car to work it. If you don't usually need to access your trunk or cargo area when you have bikes loaded up, this probably won't matter much. But if you think you'll need to frequently tilt the rack away from your vehicle, I could see this mechanism quickly becoming an annoyance—especially at the end of a long ride on a hot day, when you're frustrated and just want things to work smoothly.
Bikes loaded in Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE wheel cradles
The tilting mechanism for this rack is located between the rack and vehicle, behind the bikes.
Holding up bikes behind Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE
Since the tilting mechanism is behind the bikes, I have to hold the bikes upright from the back when tilting the rack away from the vehicle.
Paul (Sport Rider SE Owner) Says:"We carry two e-bikes, a fat bike and a touring bike on this rack behind our RV and it is a very sold and reliable rack. I have had many bike racks over the years and if you are hauling heavy/expensive bikes you can’t go wrong with this one. Easy to use and assemble."

Saris Door County

  • Capacity: 2 bikes (60 lbs per bike)
  • Allows Trunk/Cargo Access: Yes, with bikes loaded
  • Carrier Weight: 63 lbs
  • Max Tire Width: 3"
  • Locks Included: Bike and hitch lock    
  • Frame contact: Yes
  • RV Rated: No
  • Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty; 1-Year warranty for electronics
What I like:What sets the Saris Door County (aka "the Elevator Bike Rack") apart from the pack? Two words: Lift. Assist. This was probably the rack I was most excited to try out, because—hey, elevator bike rack, right? Saris took a look at our bikes with electric assist and said, "might as well join them," and here we are: a bike rack that lifts your bikes for you. Just plug into your vehicle's 7-way, and you've got an e-bike e-rack. My favorite thing about this rack is the obvious thing: it's just so dang easy. This rack provides a 10.5" lift with the touch of a button, and it was hands down the easiest for me to load. The Door County brings your platform almost a foot closer to the ground to make loading your bikes easier. And since my hitch was only about a foot off the ground to begin with, the platform was basically at ground level, so I didn't have to lift my bikes at all. With the press of a button, I could raise the loaded rack right back up without breaking a sweat. And even loading the rack itself into the hitch was easy and required almost zero lifting on my part. I just wheeled it up to the hitch and slid it right in. The Door County also has the rack-tilting lever right where I like it: front and center where I can hit it with my foot or knee. And like the Thule EasyFold, the Door County folds up and can be wheeled along from your car to your garage (the Saris rack has 4 wheels instead of 2 for even easier transportation).
Saris Door County on Wheels
Wheeling the Door County to my hitch
Saris Door County Bike Rack Buttons
The Door County includes up, down, and pause functions. Just turn the key to start it, just like you would a car.
What I don't like:As awesome as this bike rack is, it's not going to work for every vehicle or every budget. You need a 7-way blade-style connector on your vehicle to provide the rack with power, and it helps if the plug is close to your hitch (you'll need a wiring extender if not, because that cord is short). If you don't have a 7-way, you'll need to install one before you can use the Door County. Also, this rack by far tops our list in terms of its 4-figure price tag. You'll be paying over $1k for this specialty rack, so it's up to you to decide whether or not the convenience of a powered lift assist is worth it. You also might struggle to load this rack onto a tall vehicle, like a truck. In theory, you should be able to wheel the rack up to your hitch and raise the shank to the right height just by pressing a button. But if your hitch is taller than what the rack can reach, you'll have to lift it, and the rack is a good 63 lbs. And honestly, if you're buying a rack so that you don't have to lift your 60+ lb e-bike, having to lift your rack instead kind of defeats the purpose.
Inserting Door County Into Hitch
On this vehicle, the hitch is only a foot off the ground, so the Door County shank slides right into place
Door County 7-Way Plug
The 7-way plug powering the Door County
My Overall Thoughts on the Best E-Bike Racks of the YearThe way I see it, there's no real "best bike rack," but rather a best rack for every rider. It all depends on your vehicle, your bike, and how comfortable you are loading your bikes. If you're looking for something with load assist, I'd check out the Yakima OnRamp, Thule EasyFold XT, or Saris Door County. If load assist isn't a huge factor for you, consider the Kuat NV or Hollywood Racks Sport Rider SE, depending on your budget. And as always, feel free to leave your questions down below! We're happy to help you find the perfect rack to get you out there on the trails.
Amber S Photo
About Amber S.As a content writer for etrailer, I might spend my morning loading and unloading a bike on five different bike racks to figure out which is easiest to use. I might be in the parking lot, taking pictures of an impressive RV battery setup our techs came across in the shop and discussing the benefits of the setup with the owner. I might spend an afternoon in a manufacturer training class for some hands-on experience with new products, and then sit down to assemble all this information into a coherent article.At etrailer, one of our core values is that we are always learning, and I learn something new every day. I start each morning with the goal in mind of taking all of this information and figuring out the best way to answer the questions people ask us (and the ones they don’t know to ask yet), and helping people get the solutions they need to make their lives easier, safer, and more fun. I’m a DIYer at heart, so it brings me great joy to help a fellow DIYer find what they’re looking for, whether that’s a product, an answer, or a community.
Related ArticlesRelated Products
Written by: Amber S.Updated on: 12/1/2023

Stacey S.

10/12/2023

I just purchased 2 cruiser ebikes. We would love to find a bike rack that would allow us to utilize either vehicle, a Honda Civic hatchback with 1 1/4" receiver and a Tacoma with a 2" receiver. I drive the Civic, so if my husband is off on a hike and I want to take the bikes 45 miles to the north to ride with my son on the Razorback Greenway, I'm able to go! We really want to purchase one rack. Any suggestions?

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

10/12/2023

@StaceyS Saris offers an option that might work for you. The Saris Freedom # SA4412B is compatible with Class I hitches like what would be used on your Civic as well as the Class III on the Tacoma. Because the cradles that hold the bike frame can grab either the top tube or the seat post tube, it'll work great for e-bikes or bikes with fenders. However, if it's used on a Class I hitch like what's on your Civic, you'll be limited to 35lbs per bike. What do your bikes weigh?

Tamons

10/3/2023

I have a truck with a 2 1/2” receiver. I use an insert to make it a 2” to pull my Airstream. Will the Thule Easy Fold integral pin work with the insert and be a viable option for me?

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

10/4/2023

@Tamons Thule tells us that the pin on the EasyFold bike rack won't work well with a 2-1/2 inch receiver, even when a reducer sleeve is used. This will be a pretty common issue with bike racks, because for the most part, the locking hitch pins won't be long enough. Swagman offers some racks that would work. For heavier e-bikes, we'd recommend the Swagman Current, part # S64678. The rack has a 60 lb per bike capacity, which will be compatible with many e-bikes.

Gary C.

9/15/2023

Any suggestions for one step through and one Sun recumbent?

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

9/15/2023

@GaryC The only current option we offer for a recumbent trike is the SeaSucker # 298-BD1005 which uses vacuum cups that would attach to the roof of your vehicle. Each up has a 210 lb pull strength, so once installed it's not going anywhere. For your other bike, you can use a hitch mounted option like the Küat Transfer, part # KU64FR which works great on step-thru bikes without front fenders.

Scott G.

9/6/2023

Great article but doesn't address my need for a front truck mounted rack to hold two 64 lb ebikes. Do you have a suggestion for that? Seems that's not very well addressed anywhere but I have seen some that say "not for front mounted trucks" Any help you can provide would be great! Thanks!

Etrailer Expert

Mike L.

9/7/2023

@ScottG We can wholeheartedly recommend the Hollywood Racks SportRider 2, part # HLY84FR. The rack can easily handle 2 bikes weighing up to 80 lbs each with tires up to 5 inches wide. This rack is built to last and is very highly rated by our customers. It'll work just fine on a front mounted hitch.

Scott G.

9/8/2023

@MikeL Hey Mike! Thanks for the reply. After doing some research of my own on Hollywood's website, they say the Hollywood RV rider is the ONLY carrier they make that is designed to go on the front of a truck.

Helen

5/7/2023

I am looking for a rack with a ramp. It seems like the Yakima on ramp or the Thule EasyFold are the way to go. Do they both accommodate a step through bike. Thanks for the reply.

Etrailer Expert

John H.

5/9/2023

@Helen The Yakima and Thule options you mentioned are great. Personally, I'd go with the Thule EasyFold. Thule and Yakima both let us use these racks and I found the EasyFold # TH903202 to be the most versatile and easy to use between the two.

Helen

5/9/2023

Thank you, that is most helpful.


Departments

Towing

Sports and Recreation

Trailer Parts

Vehicle

What our customers are saying:

"I like the easy of navigation through the site. It only took me a couple of minutes to place my order. Thank You I will shop this sight again in the future."

Kevin
Manchester, MD

Popular Vehicles