How to Transport an Electric Wheelchair

On this page (9 sections)

1. What should you check before transporting an electric wheelchair?
2. Which vehicle setup works for your chair?
3. How do you load a powered wheelchair into a vehicle?
4. How do you secure an electric wheelchair for travel?
5. What should you do with the battery?
6. Is a hitch carrier a good option for a power chair?
7. Could an electric wheelchair trailer fit your needs?
8. How do you unload and check the chair after travel?
9. How should you choose a way to transport an electric wheelchair?

Transport an electric wheelchair by loading it with a compatible ramp or lift, securing it at approved points, and following the chair’s battery instructions. Choose interior vehicle space, an accessible van, or a hitch carrier only after checking chair dimensions, total weight, and vehicle capacity.

Before you travel, find the wheelchair manual and the vehicle or carrier instructions. They determine how to prepare the chair, where to attach restraints, and whether the battery should stay installed.

What should you check before transporting an electric wheelchair?

Check the chair’s weight, dimensions, battery guidance, and securement points before choosing a transport method. Then compare those details with the vehicle opening, ramp or lift capacity, and any carrier or hitch limits.

Measure the chair in the configuration you plan to transport. If the chair folds or separates, check each piece and note how to reconnect it at your destination.

Include accessories that will travel with the chair, such as a cushion, headrest, joystick, or bags. Remove loose items that could fall or shift, and store them separately.

Ask the wheelchair maker or mobility dealer if you can’t find clear transport or battery instructions. A chair’s driving controls and its designated tie-down points may be different, so don’t guess where a strap belongs.

Which vehicle setup works for your chair?

Choose the setup that fits the chair and can load it safely: an accessible van, interior cargo space, or an appropriately rated hitch carrier. The right option depends on the chair’s size and weight, your vehicle, and the help and equipment available.

An accessible van with a ramp or lift can keep the chair inside the vehicle. Confirm the entry width and height, ramp or lift capacity, and available space for the chair and its occupant or cargo.

A car or SUV may work if the wheelchair can be folded or disassembled into pieces that fit. Check that lifting each piece is manageable, and use the manual’s instructions to protect removable controls and batteries.

A hitch carrier keeps the wheelchair outside the vehicle, but adds weight behind it and may affect access to the hatch or trunk. Compare the vehicle’s towing or hitch guidance, the hitch rating, and the carrier’s capacity before loading.

If you’re comparing chair styles, our guide to types of wheelchairs explains common differences between manual and powered models. For a car-based setup, see how to choose a wheelchair carrier for your car.

How do you load a powered wheelchair into a vehicle?

Use a ramp or lift designed for the chair and loading setup, and keep the path clear before moving the chair. Follow the equipment instructions and get assistance if you can’t control the chair throughout loading.

Park on firm, level ground and set the vehicle’s parking brake. Check the ramp or lift is fully positioned and secured before driving or guiding the chair onto it.

Switch the chair to the mode specified in its manual for loading. Move slowly, keep hands and feet clear of pinch points, and use a helper when needed to guide the chair without pulling on its controls.

Don’t try to lift a heavy power chair by its armrests, joystick, or other parts unless the maker identifies a safe lifting point. If the chair is too heavy to manage safely, use a powered lift or arrange suitable assistance.

A compact threshold ramp can help with a small step at a doorway, but it is not a substitute for a vehicle loading ramp. The FACHNUO 2FT ramp has a non-slip aluminum surface and built-in handle; its maker specifies a 27 in maximum wheelbase and recommends no more than a 4 in step height for wheelchair access.

Measure the step and check the ramp’s fit and instructions before use. Keep the ramp extension plate flush with the ground, as the maker directs.

How do you secure an electric wheelchair for travel?

Secure the chair using the designated tie-down points and the restraint system specified for your transport setup. Engage the parking brake and switch off the chair if its manual calls for those steps.

Use straps that attach to approved frame points, not the joystick, armrests, footplates, or other movable parts unless the chair maker says otherwise. Tighten restraints enough to prevent movement without bending or crushing components.

For occupied travel, use a vehicle seating and wheelchair tie-down system designed for that purpose. A cargo carrier’s tie-down points are for securing equipment and should not be treated as an occupant restraint system.

After tying down the chair, check that straps don’t press on wiring, wheels, or controls. Give the chair a careful push from different directions to check for movement, then recheck the restraints after a short drive.

What should you do with the battery?

Follow the wheelchair maker’s battery instructions for the specific transport method. Battery rules can differ by battery type and whether the chair travels inside a vehicle or on an exterior carrier.

If the manual says to remove or disconnect the battery, use the stated procedure and protect the terminals as directed. Keep a removed battery from moving around, and don’t transport one that is damaged or leaking.

If the battery stays installed, check that it is secured and protected from impact and moisture. Store the charger and loose battery accessories separately so they don’t catch on the chair during loading.

For air travel or other regulated transport, contact the carrier before booking. Confirm its current battery requirements and any paperwork or advance notice it needs.

Is a hitch carrier a good option for a power chair?

A hitch carrier can suit a chair that fits its platform, ramp, and capacity limits, when the vehicle and hitch are also rated for the load. Count the carrier’s own weight as well as the wheelchair and anything else on it.

The Silver Spring folding steel carrier with a 42 in ramp has a stated 500 lb load capacity, ten tie-down points, and a folding design. It mounts to a 2 in Class III or IV hitch, so check your vehicle and hitch instructions for compatibility.

The carrier itself weighs 82 lb, which also counts toward the load on the hitch. Confirm the chair fits the platform and can climb the ramp safely before choosing this setup.

A longer ramp may help with a different loading approach, but it still needs a compatible vehicle and hitch. The Silver Spring carrier with a 59 in ramp has a stated 500 lb capacity, ten tie-down points, and a 2 in Class III or IV hitch requirement.

This carrier weighs 93 lb. Compare the best wheelchair carriers for SUVs and wheelchair carriers with folding ramps to consider other carrier layouts.

Neither carrier replaces checking the hitch, vehicle, and chair instructions. Keep the load within the lowest applicable capacity, and check that the carrier doesn’t block lights or the license plate.

Could an electric wheelchair trailer fit your needs?

A trailer may be worth considering if you need a dedicated space for a powered chair or a carrier is not a good match for your vehicle. Check the trailer’s loading method, capacity, securement points, and the vehicle’s towing limits before planning a trip.

A trailer adds its own connection and loading steps, so confirm that you can attach it, load the chair, and secure the chair at your destination. Our guide to electric wheelchair trailers covers transport needs to compare.

If you’re choosing between mobility devices for travel, our power wheelchair vs mobility scooter guide can help clarify the differences. For a lighter manual option, compare Karman LT-980 wheelchair reviews and lightweight foldable wheelchairs.

How do you unload and check the chair after travel?

Unload on firm, level ground, then check the chair and battery before driving it. Remove restraints only after the chair is stable and the ramp or lift is ready.

Follow the same safe loading steps in reverse, keeping the chair under control as it comes down. Reinstall any removed parts according to the manual, then check wheels, controls, wiring, and seating for visible movement or damage.

If the chair behaves differently, shows an error, or has a damaged battery or cable, stop and contact the maker or mobility dealer before using it. Don’t assume a chair is ready just because it powers on.

How should you choose a way to transport an electric wheelchair?

For how to transport an electric wheelchair, choose by fit, safe loading, capacity, and securement. Use interior space or an accessible van when those setups fit the chair; consider a hitch carrier or trailer only when the chair and vehicle meet the relevant requirements.

Choose a threshold ramp for small doorway steps, not for lifting a chair into a vehicle. If you’re comparing transport hardware, start with the wheelchair carrier for a car guide, then verify every limit and instruction for your own setup.

Frequently asked questions

Can you transport an electric wheelchair in a regular car?

Sometimes, if the chair fits in the vehicle and can be loaded without unsafe lifting. Measure the folded or disassembled chair, cargo opening, and interior space first.

Check the chair manual for battery and transport instructions, and use an appropriate ramp, lift, or help from another person.

Can an electric wheelchair go on a hitch carrier?

A hitch carrier can work if the chair fits, the hitch and vehicle are rated for the total load, and the carrier has a suitable loading ramp and tie-down points. Include the carrier’s weight when checking capacity, and follow the chair and carrier instructions for securement.

Should you remove the battery before transporting a power wheelchair?

Follow the wheelchair maker’s instructions for your battery type and transport method. Some chairs allow battery removal, while others have specific rules for disconnecting or protecting it.

Keep the battery from shifting, avoid damaged batteries, and ask the maker or carrier for guidance if the instructions are unclear.

How do you secure an electric wheelchair in a vehicle?

Use the wheelchair’s designated securement points and a vehicle tie-down system made for the transport setup. Apply the parking brake and switch off power if the chair’s manual directs you to.

Do not attach straps to movable parts, armrests, or controls unless the maker identifies them as securement points.