Best Cargo Ebike · Best Ebike 2024 · Ebike Comparison · Dec 26, 2023

Comparing Cargo Ebike: HovCart and RadRunner 3 Plus, Who Hauls It All?

In the grand world of ebike, there are tons of choices, but one kind of ebike is the rising star: cargo ebike. It is specially designed to carry large, heavy loads of people. Riders adore it for its power, functionality, versatility and utility. They can even replace car trips or be used as food or package delivery vehicles!

There are a few choices of cargo ebike that stand out, and most brand names have a cargo model. In the previous articles, we have compared Hovsco’s HovCart with Velotric’s Packer 1, Aventon’s Abound and Himiway's Big Dog.

In this article, we will compare HovCart with another cargo ebike from a name brand, the RadRunner 3 Plus from RadPower ebikes. Let’s learn about the differences between them so you’ll know which is the best choice for you.

Main Difference

	HovCart	RadRunner 3 Plus	Comment
Price	Starting from $1799(contact social@hovsco.com for this deal)	$2299	HovCart’s price is significantly lower than RadRunner 3 Plus, reaching a gap of $500. With such an affordable price, HovCart still offers superior performance. Please read on to learn about its advantages.
Battery	720Wh	672Wh	The battery capacity of HovCart is 107% of RadRunner 3 Plus’s. The larger capacity of HovCart's batteries allows riders to cover greater distances on a single charge, providing a distinct advantage in range. This advantage means riders can enjoy longer journeys without the hassle of frequent recharging.
Sensor	Torque sensor	Cadence sensor	If you want a natural riding feeling on an ebike, torque sensor is the way to go. What sensor does it to tell the motor how much power to provide. A torque sensor senses how hard you are pedaling. It results in a ride that feels a lot like riding a regular bike. A cadence sensor just senses when you are pedaling and accelerates. With this sensor, you can "ghost pedal"--just rotate the pedals with no resistance, and still go fast. People who are avid bike riders tend to appreciate a torque sensor.
Maximum Range	60 miles	45 miles	The difference in range results from the difference between the two ebikes’ battery capacity and weight. The bigger the battery capacity and the lighter it is, the more range the ebike is able to cover.
Payload capacity	450 lb	350 lb	HovCart’s payload capacity is 100 lb larger than RadRunner 3 Plus’s. This not only helps HovCart accommodate a border range of riders such as those with heavier weights, but also enables the rider to carry more additional cargo on the ebike, fulfilling its hauling mission.
Top speed	28mph	20mph	The difference in the two ebikes’ top speeds results from several factors, including battery performance, weight difference and distribution. Reaching 28mph, HovCart can be a Class 2 and Class 3 ebike according to settings, while RadRunner 3 Plus can only be a Class 2 ebike.
Tire size	20" x 4"	20" x 3.3"	The tire size impacts rider’s riding experience and comfort level. The wider tires of HovCart offer a broader contact surface with the ground, and therefore providing enhanced stability and traction.
Throttle	Thumb throttle	Half twist throttle	The thumb throttle of HovCart provides riders with easy and straightforward control. Its design allows for fluent acceleration, making it user-friendly especially for beginners. RadRunner 3 Plus's half-twist throttle is great at precise speed control, but using it for a long period could lead to wrist pain.
Integrated Battery	Yes	Semi-integrated	The integrated battery design not only features a sleek look on the ebike, but also has practical features. The bike frame can prevent water, dust and dirt from polluting the battery, but also protect it from potential damage from falls.
Charger	54.6V 3 Amp	48V, 2 Amp	The higher spec of HovCart’s charger means that it has a faster charging speed, allowing riders to wait less time on charging and offering them a carefree overall experience.
Bike length	73.62"	72.5"	The two ebikes are about the same size, but HovCart is 1 inch slightly longer than RadRunner 3 Plus, so there is more cargo space at the back, offering more cargo capabilities.
Weight	66.4 lb	75.5 lb	HovCart’s weight is significantly smaller than RadRunner 3 Plus’s. Lighter ebike enables the rider to control and maneuver, making it great for beginners and riders with less strength. The lighter weight also helps HovCart to reach higher speeds.

After learning their differences, we’ll dive into all the specs of these two ebikes to give you a full understanding of their performances.

Electrical components

	HovCart	RadRunner 3 Plus
Motor	750W geared hub motor	750W geared hub motor
Battery	720Wh	672Wh
Sensor	Torque sensor	Cadence sensor
Pedal Assist	5 levels	5 levels
Throttle	Thumb throttle	Half twist throttle
Lights	Headlight and integrated taillight	Headlight and integrated taillight
Display	HD LCD display	HD LCD display
Integrated Battery	Yes	Semi-integrated
Charger	54.6V 3 Amp	48V, 2 Amp

Summary: Both ebikes are very strong with the 750W motor. Both have 5 PAS levels, integrated lights and HD display for smart riding. But HovCart’s battery, sensor and charger are much better than RadRunner 3 Plus’s.

Mechanical components

	HovCart	RadRunner 3 Plus
Step-over and step-thru	Step-thru	Step-thru
Bike length	73.62"	72.5"
Color options	Orange and gray	Charcoal and moss green
Tire size	20" x 4"	20" x 3.3"
Brake	Hydraulic disc brake with 180mm rotors	Hydraulic disc brake with 180mm rotors
Suspension Fork	Front suspension with lockout	Front suspension with lockout
Frame	Aluminum	Aluminum
Crankset	170 mm crank length, 48T chainring	170 mm crank length, 48T chainring
Weight	66.4 lb	75.5 lb
Accessories	Optional purchase	Optional purchase

Summary: For the mechanical components, both ebikes use very superior parts, such as hydraulic brake, front suspension and 48T chainring. But HovCart’s wider tires and lighter weight offer more level of control.

Performance

	HovCart	Rad Runner 3 Plus
Maximum Range	60 miles	45 miles
Payload capacity	450 lbs	350 lb
Top Speed	28 mph	20mph
Price	Starting from $1799(contact social@hovsco.com for this deal)	$2299