The e-bike market is one of the fastest-growing areas within the bike industry to date. As a result, the bike industry has put a substantial focus on product design for e-bike components and accessories; this includes vehicle racks to transport your e-bike.

In this guide, we’ll talk about what e-bike rack features to look for to ensure you are buying one that is safe and sturdy enough to transport your ebike. Unless you have a folding e-bike, your only option for transportation is a hitch mount bike rack.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post to check out Epicenter Cycling’s “e-bike approved” vehicle racks, or click the link to view our inventory!

Standard Bike Rack v.s. E-bike Rack

The most significant difference between a standard bike rack and an e-bike rack is the tow bar’s weight capacity. A rack that can transport ebikes has a tow bar made from more durable materials than a standard bike rack. With that, the rack has the ability to support more weight. When researching to buy your next e-bike rack, a good baseline is looking at bike racks that can support 65 lbs per bike mount.

Precautions to Keep in Mind

E-bikes tend to cost more than standard bikes, so it’s in your best interest to make sure you buy gear and accessories suitable to transport your bike. Getting your e-bike insured is a worthwhile move for a plethora of reasons as well.

If your e-bike gets damaged during transportation, and you have e-bike insurance, pay close attention to the following: it’s essential that you correctly follow instructions and recommendations with e-bike care, including proper storage and transportation. Insurance companies often may only pay out if specific criteria have been met.

When it comes to transporting e-bikes, here are some must do’s:

Check the vehicle’s recommended maximum weight capacity. Calculate the weight of the bike rack and the weight of each e-bike you plan to transport.
Meet the torque setting recommendations on the rack.
Make sure the rack’s keys are stored in a secure location.
Only transport your e-bike on a hitch mount bike rack.
Do not use a hitch receiver adaptor.
Lock your e-bike when you are not within sight of it. Understand the lock works to prevent your bike from getting stolen but is not guaranteed protection.

E-bike Vehicle Rack Features to Look For

Not all racks are built to load e-bikes. Protect your e-bike by purchasing a bike rack that is up to the task of safely transporting your e-bike to your next destination. In this section, we point out what features to look for when shopping for your next e-bike rack.

Hitch Mount Bike Rack

When you see vehicles transporting bikes, you probably have seen three styles in particular: a hitchless trunk-mounted bike rack, a roof rack, and a hitch mount bike rack. When it comes to transporting an expensive, +/- 65lbs e-bike, we’ll make a strong case that a hitch mount bike rack is the most sturdy and reliable rack for your e-bike.

While hitchless trunk-mounted bike racks are minimalist and relatively inexpensive, I certainly would feel uneasy loading a $10,000 e-bike onto that. Many hitchless trunk-mounted bike racks have a weight capacity of around 35 lbs. Your e-bike will very likely exceed the weight capacity.

As for roof racks? Unless you’ve been doing your squat snatches during Crossfit, why don’t you save your back and the embarrassment of your e-bike toppling down the other side of your car? You don’t need the stress.

Hitch mount bike racks are the best option to find a rack with a high enough weight capacity for your e-bike, easy to load and unload, and reliable during transportation. Keep scrolling to view Epicenter Cycling’s inventory of bike racks ready to haul your e-bike to its next adventure.

Epicenter Cycling’s Pick: Thule EasyFold XT 2The Thule EasyFold XT 2 is one of the most reliable and cleverly designed racks we have come across. Its high load capacity and easy loading make it perfect for transporting e-bikes and heavy mountain bikes. An ergonomic foot pedal tilts the rack so you can access the trunk of your vehicle without unloading the bikes. As the cherry on top, when removed from your vehicle’s hitch, the Thule EasyFold XT 2 folds compactly, like a suitcase, for easy moving and storage. — **Epicenter Cycling’s Pick: Thule EasyFold XT 2**
*The* *Thule EasyFold XT 2* is one of the most reliable and cleverly designed racks we have come across. Its high load capacity and easy loading make it perfect for transporting e-bikes and heavy mountain bikes. An ergonomic foot pedal tilts the rack so you can access the trunk of your vehicle without unloading the bikes. As the cherry on top, when removed from your vehicle’s hitch, the Thule EasyFold XT 2 folds compactly, like a suitcase, for easy moving and storage.

Locking Cable

Fortunately, almost any mid to high quality bike rack will include a locking hitch rack and locking cable for your e-bikes. While a lock does not guarantee your bikes won’t get stolen, it acts as a deterrent to any bike thief. It’s in your best interest to buy a bike rack with locking capabilities.

Kuat NV 2.0 Hitch RackThis sturdy yet lightweight bike rack is perfect for transporting e-bikes to their next adventure. With a fully integrated locking system, you can have peace of mind that your bikes (and your hitch rack) are secure. As an added plus? The Kuat NV 2.0 comes with an integrated bike stand for easy bike maintenance. Click here to view all of the Kuat NV 2.0’s features. — **Kuat NV 2.0 Hitch Rack**
This sturdy yet lightweight bike rack is perfect for transporting e-bikes to their next adventure. With a fully integrated locking system, you can have peace of mind that your bikes (and your hitch rack) are secure. As an added plus? The Kuat NV 2.0 comes with an integrated bike stand for easy bike maintenance. Click here to view all of the Kuat NV 2.0’s features.

Anti-Wobbling

Look for a bike rack that has an anti-wobbling system. This feature prevents the rack from moving while driving your vehicle. If you’ve ever seen a loaded bike rack bouncing while the vehicle is moving, it’s a scary scene. Not to mention it’s a safety issue that your tow bar does not adequately support the weight of your bike(s).

Pivot System

A bike rack with a pivot is a must-have for those with hatchback vehicles and need quick trunk access. Unloading and loading -/+ 65lbs e-bikes can become a chore, especially when car camping during a bike trip.

Both the Kuat NV 2.0 and Thule EasyFold XT have a foot pedal tilt pivot system. You know a bike rack is well designed when it can tilt and hold two 60 lbs e-bikes seamlessly.

RockyMounts’ BackStageThis one’s a treat. RockyMounts created a rack that is the perfect combination for e-bikers with a truck, SUV, or camper: the industry’s first 180-degree swing hitch rack. The Backstage allows you to move the rack with bikes loaded, a full 180 degrees away from the back of your vehicle. With a three-axis tow bar, you won’t see any wobble with the rack loaded either. — **RockyMounts’ BackStage**
This one’s a treat. RockyMounts created a rack that is the perfect combination for e-bikers with a truck, SUV, or camper: the industry’s first 180-degree swing hitch rack. The Backstage allows you to move the rack with bikes loaded, a full 180 degrees away from the back of your vehicle. With a three-axis tow bar, you won’t see any wobble with the rack loaded either.

Have more questions about vehicle racks for e-bikes? Give us a call!

A Complete Guide to Buying the Right E-bike Rack for Your Vehicle