Throttle-Controlled Electric Trikes: Top E-Trikes That Let You Ride Without Pedaling

Electric tricycles with throttle control. What do you need to know?

Hey everyone, I'm Dustin. I have nearly 20 years of experience in the bike and e-bike industry. Today I'm going to show you e-trikes with throttle control and also tell you what you need to know. All right, I've got five of Sixthreezero e-trikes here. All of them have throttle control. We've got our Rickshaw, our Easy transit 750-watt Rickshaw for passengers, our Simple Glide Fat Tire 750w and Simple Glide 500w. These are great with the backrest and super comfortable, and then our Relaxed body is semi-recumbent with huge cargo space in the back, also really comfortable.

All right, the throttle control and throttles in America are becoming popular on your e-trike because they turn it into a full-on mobility device. Now, you don't just have to pedal for it to go, you can press or twist the throttle depending on which type you have to go. Now, I know a lot of other countries don't allow throttle, or maybe the throttle is limited to a certain motor size. In America, you can have a max motor size in most states of 750 watts and up to 20 miles an hour, which would classify it as a class two e-bike. Some states allow up to 1000-watt motors. It's only a handful, though. So the throttles, there are a couple of different ways they can function.

Number one, many e-trikes, when you just put them into level one, the throttle will work at full power. Some of them are limited by the assistance level. So if you put it into level one, you'll get a level one output of the throttle. Put it into level two, you'll get a level two output of the throttle up to level five. So you'd have to have it on level five to get full power from the throttle. For the ones where you just put it into level one and you get full power on the throttle, it operates just like the gas pedal on a car. The more you twist it or press it, the more you go. Just like your gas pedal, the more you press it, the more you go. Now there are two different types of throttles.

There are either twist throttles, which you twist back to go, or there are thumb throttles that you press with your thumb to go. I've got a 50-50 survey out there. It's 50-50 on which one rider prefers best. Some like the push throttle with the thumb, and some like the twist throttle. It's a mixed bag. The twist throttle is nice, and sometimes the thumb throttle is nice.Both take some getting used to, right? It's just like driving a car. If you've never utilized a twist throttle or a thumb throttle, it's going to take you some time to get used to how much you twist or press, and also just get used to managing that power when you're going.

So I'm gonna bring you in for a closer look, and I will show you the different types of throttles. All right, so right here we've got a thumb throttle located on the right hand, and you can see this one is more of a downward press, and you would have your thumb like this, and you would press down. So that is one option that exists. Now, if you move over to our other E-Trike here, you have another thumb throttle, and this one's on the left-hand side. This one's more of a front press, so that's another thumb-throttle option.

Now, moving here is your twist throttle, where you can grip it and twist. I sometimes like to use my index and pointer fingers to twist it, but you can also keep your hand here and twist it as well, and these two other ones right here are twist throttles as well. The throttle control is a nice thing. There are different options, you have to think about which will work best for you, maybe your hand dexterity, and what feels comfortable. It is something you could replace, but it may be a little bit challenging to do that; it could be done. All right, so if you wanna see any more demos or anything else about these E-Trikes.

I also have lots of other videos on my YouTube channel, demoing all of them. Demoing all of them. I also do demonstrations on how to use the throttle and how to twist the throttle. For all of our e-trikes on our website, we have a throttle, and I would say most e-trikes now in the U.S. do have a throttle. There may be some more high-end ones. Sometimes they don't have throttles. They just have pedal assist, but I would say a lot of companies are leaning towards having the throttle on their electric trikes.

Any other questions or comments, please reach out to us at theteam@sixthreezero.live or call us at 310-982-2877. Also, we offer a 30-day test ride on your e-trike policy. If you don't love your e-trike in the first 30 days, send it back. No questions asked, no money out of your pocket. We're also going to warranty everything for one year. If anything goes wrong in the first year, we'll take care of its parts and labor. In addition to that, come on out for a test ride. So we're here in San Clemente, California, at 1046 Kairokoto Unit K. Come on out and test-ride all of our e-trikes before you purchase to ensure you're making the right choice. Also, lastly, join our community. We have a Facebook group called Sixthreezero Pedalers. Join the group before you purchase to talk to existing riders to ensure you're making the right choice. And then when you have yours, post to the group, make friends, and finally download the app to track your rides and compete on the leaderboard. Don't forget, your journey or experience.

Which Throttle Does Each Trike Have?

Since riders are split between thumb and twist throttles, here’s which style comes on each of the trikes above, plus two more from our lineup:

Thumb throttle

• Easy Transit 750W Folding: thumb throttle on the left side of the handlebar
• EVRYjourney eBike Rickshaw 750W: thumb throttle on the left grip
• Fat Tire 750W Reverse: thumb throttle on the left grip

Twist throttle

• Simple Glide Fat Tire 750W Recumbent: twist throttle on the riding grip
• Simple Glide 500W Recumbent: twist throttle on the riding grip
• Relaxed Body 750W: twist throttle
• Simple Glide Low Seat 750W Recumbent: twist throttle on the right hand

If one hand is weaker than the other, check which side the throttle sits on before you buy. Our 30-day test ride is a good way to find out which style feels natural to you.

Throttle Only or Pedal Assist?

Every trike above lets you ride either way, and most riders mix the two:

• Throttle only moves the trike without pedaling. It’s handy for starting from a stop, climbing a hill or resting your legs.
• Pedal assist adds power while you pedal, so you still get exercise and your battery lasts longer.

The difference in range can be big. The Easy Transit, for example, goes 18 to 40 miles on full electric and 20 to 60 miles with pedal assist. If you plan longer rides on throttle alone, charge up before you go and keep an eye on the battery.

Who a Throttle Helps Most

• Riders with knee, hip or joint pain who want to rest between pedaling stretches
• New riders who want an easy way to get moving from a stop
• Anyone with hills on their route, since a quick press gets you up the steep parts
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Tips for Riding with a Throttle

• Start with small inputs. Press or twist a little, feel how the trike responds, then add more.
• Practice in an open space. An empty parking lot is a good place to learn how quickly the trike picks up speed.
• Ease off before turns. Slow down first, then make a wide, smooth turn.
• Get off the same way every time. Come to a full stop, squeeze the brakes, switch the power off, and keep your hands and knees clear of the throttle as you step off.

These come from watching first-time riders learn, including Brian’s first eTrike ride.

FAQs

Can you ride an electric trike without pedaling?

Yes. Every trike in this post has a throttle that moves it without pedaling, so you can rest your legs whenever you like.

Is a thumb throttle or a twist throttle easier to use?

It depends on your hands. A thumb throttle needs a steady press from your thumb, while a twist throttle works like a motorcycle grip. Riders with weaker grip strength often prefer to try both before they choose.

Does using the throttle drain the battery faster?

Yes. The motor does all the work on throttle alone, so you’ll get fewer miles per charge than with pedal assist.

How fast can I go on throttle alone?

It depends on the model. The Easy Transit reaches about 15 mph on full electric, and the Relaxed Body tops out at 16 mph.

Can I accidentally hit the throttle?

It can happen when you climb off with the power still on. Switch the power off before you dismount to keep the trike from rolling forward.

Is a throttle trike a good choice for seniors?

For many seniors, yes. A throttle makes starts and hills easier and lets you rest without stopping. If you have a health condition, check with your doctor about how much riding is right for you.