Can this EBIKE Fit in the Back Seat of Your Car?!? Small, Light, Compact Electric Bike

Wondering whether an e-bike will fit in your car without a bike rack? In the video below, we load a compact e-bike into a car’s trunk and back seat to show exactly how much space it takes and how easy it is to lift.

Looking for an e-bike with a back seat for a passenger instead? Browse our e-trikes and e-bikes for passengers.

A small, compact, and light e-bike that can fit in the trunk of your car or the backseat.

Hey everyone, I'm Dustin. I have nearly 20 years of experience in the bike and e-bike industry. And right here, I've got a small, compact, light e-bike, the Simple Step-Thru 20 inches that can fit in the trunk of your car or backseat of your car. All right, so transporting bikes and e-bikes is important to a lot of riders. This is the simple step-through 20 inches at the lowest step-through height of any e-bike on the market. I guarantee it. It is only nine inches to step through the frame and get on and off. It also weighs 46 pounds without the battery, and 52 with the battery, so pretty light. I'm gonna show you how we can fit it in the back hatch. Now this hatch is 42 inches wide, 32 inches deep, and 30 inches high. Now, may have to put the seat down to get it in the back here. Let's go ahead and try. I'm going to show you how we can get this real compact.

The frame doesn't fold in half on this one. It's a rigid frame. We did that on purpose, but you can fold your bars down like this. From here, if you want to make it even easier, pull your seat out as well. Now, the easiest way when you're loading it is you may want to turn the wheel like this. Because that's going to minimize the amount of space it's going to take up when you load it in. And grabbing it somewhere back here on the back of the frame. And again, if you want to decrease the weight, you can always take the battery off. Okay, so we are going to have to put the seat down, which is no problem. So let's go ahead and put the seat down. And it actually may be easier to even get this in the back seat because for the back seat... We won't have to do quite as much. I'll just fold the seat down there. Now from there, just come right over here. And you can do whatever is easiest for you. Probably loading the front wheel in is going to be easier. And in this case, probably not spinning it as well. There we go and you can lay it down in there nice and easy. Now, again, this would be much easier without the battery on because you're going to reduce it by eight pounds, but I just left it on to show that it can be done.

Getting To Know About Compact Electric Bike

A compact electric bike is a small and lightweight electric bike that is designed for easy portability and commuting. It further features an electric motor to assist pedaling and a foldable or collapsible frame. Apart from these, this electric bike also has smaller wheels. Moreover, it is ideal for city dwellers and offers solutions for short commutes. Not only this, you can also use it to be carried on public transport or stored in tight spaces.

Why Choose a Compact Electric Bike?

Today, more people are choosing compact ebike as they are good for the environment. So, learning about these benefits explains why they are so popular for city travel.

1. Portability: Compact electric bikes are easy to carry and store. Thus, they are great for people who need to save space. They are perfect for commuters and travelers as they can fold up and fit into cars or public transport.
2. Convenience: They are very convenient because they are easy to ride, charge, and can be folded up. This further makes it easier to commute, run errands, and store bikes in crowded city areas.
3. Cost-Effective: These bikes are budget-friendly as they save money on fuel and maintenance. They are affordable and have lower running costs. Due to this, it makes them a smart choice for daily commuting and short trips.
4. Eco-Friendly: Compact electric bikes are good for the environment. This is because they lower carbon emissions and use less fossil fuel. Their low impact on the planet makes them a sustainable choice for transportation. Furthermore, it also helps to keep the Earth healthier.

Choosing a compact ebike makes it easier for riders to travel around. Moreover, it also helps the environment and suits today’s busy lives. As cities change, these bikes are a smart and green choice for everyday trips and fun rides.

Note: Not every compact e-bike folds. The Simple Step-Thru 20" has a rigid frame, but its handlebars fold down and the seat comes off, which makes loading it into a car simple.

Steps to Fit a Compact Electric Bike in Your Car’s Back Seat

Learn how to fit a compact electric bike in the back side of your car with these simple steps. This section will help you to make the most of your space and keep your electric bike safe.

1. Remove the Battery: Before putting your compact electric bike in your car’s back seat, take out the battery. This further makes the bike lighter and easier to handle.
2. Fold The Bike: You can do it using the instructions from the manufacturer to make it smaller. Hence, this is important for fitting the bike into your car’s back seat.
3. Adjust The Seat and Handlebars: Lower the seat and handlebars as much as you can before putting the bike in your car’s back seat.
4. Position The Bike: Place the bike in your car’s backside, putting it at an angle if necessary. For that, you can use straps or ties to keep it in place.
5. Secure The Bike: Use straps or bungee cords to keep the bike from moving while you drive. Also, ensure it’s secured to avoid any damage.

By using these steps, you can transport your small electric bike. Enjoy the ease and freedom of taking your bike with you on all your trips.

Okay, now from here, go ahead and take it out. There we go. All right, now let me show you how we can get this in the back seat, which I think will be even easier. Okay. All right, so we've got everything folded down here, and now I'm just going to load it into the back seat, put my kickstand up. And from there, now again, we have a blanket down here. You can roll it right through. Okay. Now I just have to turn this front wheel. now that's my first time doing this. So, the more comfortable you get doing it, the easier it's gonna get. And I took the seat off to make it nice and easy. Also, if you have any comments or questions, please reach out to us at theteam@sixthreezero.live or call us, at 310-982-2877. In addition to that, we're going to allow you to test-ride your e-bike for the first 30 days. First 30 days, if you don't love it, send it back. No questions asked, no money out of your pocket. Secondly, we're going to warrant everything for up to a year. If anything goes wrong in the first year, parts and labor will take care of it.

Lastly, join our Facebook Pedalers group. Our Facebook group is called sixthreezero Pedalers. Thousands of members are in there. Pop in there, ask questions of existing members, and see how they like their e-bike so you can get comfortable in advance before you purchase. Then when you have yours, make friends, and post in the group. It's a lot of fun. So thanks for sticking around and don't forget, it's your journey, your experience. Enjoy the ride.

How to Check If an E-Bike Will Fit in Your Car

Before you buy, grab a tape measure and check three things:

• Trunk or hatch opening. Measure the height and width of the opening itself, not just the space inside. The opening is usually the tightest point.

• Cargo depth with seats folded. Fold your rear seats down and measure from the back of the front seats to the tailgate.
• Diagonal space. A bike that’s too long to lie straight can often fit at an angle, so measure corner to corner as well.

Then compare those numbers to the e-bike’s overall length and its height with the handlebars folded and the seat removed.

Which Cars Work Best for a Compact E-Bike?

Hatchbacks and SUVs are the easiest. The large rear opening and fold-flat seats give you plenty of room for a 20" e-bike.

Sedans can work too, but the trunk opening is smaller. Folding the rear seats lets you slide the bike through from the trunk, or you can load it through a rear door into the back seat.

Small coupes are the toughest fit. A folding e-bike is usually the better choice here.

Car Rack vs. Inside the Car

A bike rack keeps your interior clean, but many roof racks aren’t rated for the weight of an e-bike, so a hitch-mounted rack is often the safer option. Carrying the bike inside your car protects it from weather and theft, and you don’t need to buy or install any extra gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I remove the battery before transporting my e-bike?

Yes. Removing the battery makes the bike lighter to lift and protects the battery from bumps along the way.

Is it safe to leave an e-bike battery in a hot car?

It’s best not to. High temperatures can shorten battery life, so take the battery with you when you park on hot days.

Will a 20-inch e-bike fit in a sedan?

In many cases, yes, especially with the rear seats folded down, the handlebars lowered and the seat removed. Measure your trunk opening first to be sure.

Do I need a folding e-bike to fit it in my car?

Not always. A compact e-bike with small wheels, folding handlebars and a removable seat can fit in many hatchbacks, SUVs and back seats without folding the frame.