Top Folding Electric Trikes in the USA

Most urban riders and outdoor enthusiasts prefer folding electric trikes over standard ones. Many seniors, delivery riders, and commuters love folding trikes because of their lightweight design and space-saving frame. 

The folding frame allows riders to store the trike neatly in their apartment or garage. Folding trikes don’t take up too much space; you can even transport them in a truck or SUV. 

Also, thanks to their lightweight nature, folding tricycles are more sustainable. On top of that, they provide the best value for money, especially for urban riders.

So let’s compare some of the best folding electric trikes in the US. We’ll take a look at the Addmotor CITYTRI VS options like the Moon Cool TK1 and Lectric XP. 

Things to Look for When Picking the Best Folding Trike

Folding electric trikes have a huge market. You can find dozens of folding electric trikes from various brands and manufacturers. 

All of these folding electric trikes come with different specs and fit various use cases. Because of this, it can be difficult to sift through these and find the best ones. 

That being said, you can find the most versatile and durable folding trikes by looking at a few key features. These will help you filter out the low-quality trikes and find safer ones that provide the best bang for your buck. So with finding the best folding electric trikes, it’s important to focus on specs like:

• Foldability
• Accessibility
• Battery Life and Range
• Motor Performance
• Payload Capacity
• Safety Features

Foldability

The main thing with foldable electric trikes is having a foldable frame. So one of the first things to look for is how well the frame folds and unfolds. 

This means, checking the dimensions and how easy it is to fold and unfold. You want an electric trike that saves space and is easy for anybody to set up. This includes seniors and people with limited mobility. 

So be sure to verify the folded and unfolded dimensions of the trike before purchasing. You want to make sure the folded trike can fit anywhere you hope to store it. 

Ideally, if the folded electric trike takes up less than 17.36 cubic feet, you can be sure it will fit most tight spaces.

If you hope to ride indoors, make sure the unfolded width is less than 32 inches. This way, you can be sure the trike will fit through most entrances when riding.

Also, check customer reviews and video tutorials on how the trike folds and unfolds. You want to check these instructions are clear and straightforward. The foldable trike should have a simple mechanism so anybody can set it up easily.

Accessibility

The main draw for electric trikes, especially over two-wheeled eBikes is accessibility. So if a foldable trike can’t deliver on accessibility, it’s useless for people like seniors and the mobility-challenged. 

It can be challenging to improve accessibility with foldable electric trikes. That said, you must check a few things before you pick an electric trike for seniors.

• Step-Through Frame: Nowadays, a step-through frame is essential. A step-through frame ensures that people can easily mount and dismount the electric trike.
• Step-Through Height: A step-through frame is not enough. You also need to verify the step-through height and make sure it’s low enough for seniors and the mobility-challenged. Ideally a step-through height of around 17” is good enough. 

• Adjustable Handlebars: Riders have different arm’s reach and preferred riding postures. Adjustable handlebars help them customize the height and angle so riders can find a comfortable fit. Make sure you can adjust things like the height and reach of handlebars for better ergonomics. 

• Comfortable Seat: Electric tricycles don’t need to have pointy and stiff racing saddles. So prioritize a foldable trike that comes with a thick and wide saddle that’s well cushioned. Bonus points if you can find one with an adjustable backrest for extra support.

Battery Life and Range

Most eTrike manufacturers opt for cheap batteries that aren’t certified and don’t last long. So one of the best ways to find high-quality electric trikes is to look at their battery specs. 

Mainly, you want to look for any safety certifications and the guaranteed range. These two specs are enough for you to understand the battery’s performance and its safety features. 

Ideally, an electric trike battery with a UL2271-safety certification is best. These batteries are rigorously tested for safety and efficiency. 

Also, even better if you can find an electric trike that’s UL2849-safety certified. This ensures the entire electrical system – including the motor, battery and charger – meets high safety standards. 

With range, you need to look for something that’s somewhat higher than the average electric trike. This is because foldable trikes are designed to be lightweight and efficient, meaning they provide better mileage. 

Make sure your foldable electric trike can provide more than 50 miles on a full charge. Although it’s not a dealbreaker, a high battery range speaks of the efficiency and durability of an electric trike. 

Motor Performance

Most manufacturers can also try to cheap out on the electric motor on a foldable trike. This is because the targeted user for foldable trikes doesn’t ride at higher speeds or take it off-roading. 

Even so, you need a powerful motor, especially for seniors who ride the throttle most of the time. 

With foldable electric tricycles, it’s better to have around 750W of continuous power. This will be more than enough for riding the throttle, climbing inclines and accelerating at a faster pace. 

Payload Capacity

Another thing that manufacturers try to skimp on is the weight capacity of a foldable trike. Most manufacturers don’t account for the fact that heavier riders might be using a folding tricycle. 

So this is another crucial factor, especially if you’re a heavy rider or need to carry a lot of cargo. Usually, a payload capacity of 150+ lbs is ideal. 

Also, check if the trike comes with storage racks or baskets. This way, you won’t have to purchase and install them separately. 

Comparing the Best Folding Trikes in the US

Now we know what to focus on when picking a foldable electric trike for seniors and regular adults. Let’s compare some of the best folding electric trikes and see how these specs help us find the best fit.

For this purpose, let’s compare the Addmotor CITYTRI, Lectric XP, and the MoonCool TK1.

Comparison Table

Here’s a quick comparison highlighting the most important factors in these three foldable tricycles:

As you can tell, the Lectrix XP trike is the lightest and most compact (when folded). That said, all three electric trikes are small enough to fit most tight spaces. 

All three models are narrower than 32” when fully unfolded. This means you can ride them indoors through most openings and doorways without any issues. 

However, the Addmotor CITYTRI is the best in terms of battery range and motor performance. It has significantly better mileage than other models and provides more than 90 Nm of torque. 

The only downside is that it can’t match MoonCool TK1’s 450 lb payload capacity.  

Wrapping Up

When deciding to pick a foldable electric trike, the first thing you need to look for is the “foldability” of the trike frame. This includes how easy it is to fold and unfold along with how much space it takes up. You also need to factor in things like battery range, motor performance and payload capacity.

Three of the most well-reviewed foldable trikes are the Addmotor CITYTRI, MoonCool TK1 and Lectric XP. Out of these, the Lectric XP is the most compact and lightweight. Meanwhile, the TK1 has the best payload capacity of 450lbs. 

That said, the benefits of the Addmotor CITYTRI far outweigh the competition. The CITYTRI provides better battery range and motor power.