For many Australian families, an electric wheelchair or otherwise known as motorised wheelchair makes day trips, family visits, shopping and holidays much easier. But getting the wheelchair from home into the car can be a challenge, especially when the wheelchair is heavy or the vehicle has limited storage space.
The good news is that there are several ways to transport an electric wheelchair by car. The right option depends on the wheelchair's size and weight, whether it folds, the type of vehicle you have and how easily the wheelchair can be loaded and secured.
Here is what Australian families should consider before transporting an electric wheelchair by car.
1. Start by Checking the Electric Wheelchair's Weight and Dimensions
Before deciding how to transport an electric wheelchair, check its specifications carefully.
Important measurements include:
- Total weight: How heavy is the wheelchair when ready for transport?
- Folded dimensions: How small does it become when folded?
- Width: Will it fit through your vehicle's doors or boot opening?
- Length and height: Will it fit inside the boot or rear cargo area?
- Battery weight: Can the battery be removed to make lifting easier?
A wheelchair may look compact when folded but can still be difficult for one person to lift. Families should consider the weight of the wheelchair as well as the physical effort required to load it repeatedly.
2. Measure Your Car Before Buying a Wheelchair
One of the most common mistakes is choosing an electric wheelchair first and checking the vehicle afterwards.
Instead, measure the vehicle's available storage area before making a purchase.
Measure the:
- Boot opening
- Boot floor length
- Available height
- Width between the wheel arches
- Door opening if the wheelchair will be loaded through a side door
Remember that the usable space may be smaller than the manufacturer's advertised boot capacity because of the shape of the vehicle and the position of the rear seats.
For families who regularly transport an electric wheelchair, a vehicle with a larger rear opening, folding rear seats or a suitable cargo area can make everyday loading much easier.
3. Folding Electric Wheelchairs Can Make Car Travel Easier
A foldable electric wheelchair can be particularly practical for families who use a standard car rather than a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
When folded, a suitable wheelchair may be easier to place into a boot or rear cargo area without requiring a specialised vehicle modification.
However, folding alone does not determine whether a wheelchair is suitable for your car. The folded dimensions and weight still need to be checked against the vehicle.
Families should also consider how frequently the wheelchair will be loaded. A wheelchair that is technically small enough to fit may still be inconvenient if it is difficult to lift or manoeuvre into the vehicle.
4. Consider a Ramp When Lifting Is Difficult
If lifting an electric wheelchair into the vehicle is physically demanding, a loading ramp may provide a more practical solution.
Ramps can allow a wheelchair to be wheeled into a suitable vehicle rather than lifted manually. Depending on the vehicle, this may involve loading through the rear hatch or a larger side opening.
The ramp needs to be appropriate for the wheelchair's weight and the vehicle's loading height. It should also be positioned securely before attempting to move the wheelchair.
Queensland Government guidance identifies ramps, trailers and electrically operated lifters as options for transporting motorised mobility aids, while also noting that the vehicle needs to be large enough to accommodate the mobility aid safely.
5. A Hoist Can Reduce Manual Lifting
For heavier electric wheelchairs, a vehicle hoist may be worth considering.
A hoist is designed to help lift and position a mobility aid, reducing the amount of manual handling required from family members or carers.
This can be particularly useful when the wheelchair is too heavy to comfortably lift into a boot on a regular basis.
Vehicle modifications can range from relatively simple equipment to more substantial mobility-aid lifting systems. Any modification should be appropriate for the vehicle and installed correctly.
6. Make Sure the Wheelchair Is Properly Secured
Once the electric wheelchair is inside the vehicle, it should not simply be left loose in the boot or cargo area.
A loose wheelchair can move during sudden braking, cornering or a collision. It can also damage other items inside the vehicle.
Use the manufacturer's recommended securement points and appropriate restraints for the way the wheelchair is being transported.
Do not attach restraints to removable components, footrests or other parts that are not designed to withstand the forces involved in transport.
For wheelchair-accessible vehicles designed to carry a person while seated in their wheelchair, dedicated wheelchair restraint systems and vehicle anchorage points are used. However, a standard folding electric wheelchair should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for transporting a passenger while seated in it.
7. Should the Person Stay Seated in the Electric Wheelchair?
This is an important distinction for families.
Transporting an electric wheelchair inside a car as cargo is different from transporting a person while seated in their wheelchair.
In a standard passenger vehicle, the usual approach is for the person to transfer to a conventional vehicle seat and use the vehicle's seatbelt, while the electric wheelchair is separately secured for transport.
Wheelchairs intended for occupied vehicle travel require appropriate design and restraint systems. Safe Transport Victoria's current guidance notes that wheelchairs used for occupied travel in wheelchair-accessible vehicles need appropriate structural features and securement points.
If someone needs to remain seated in their wheelchair while travelling, the vehicle and wheelchair should be assessed for that specific purpose rather than assuming a portable electric wheelchair is suitable.
8. Think About the Battery Before Transporting the Wheelchair
Electric wheelchair batteries require some additional consideration, particularly when travelling long distances or when the battery is removable.
Follow the wheelchair manufacturer's instructions for switching off the wheelchair and transporting or removing its battery.
If a battery is removable, make sure it is protected from impacts and cannot move around during transport. Battery terminals should also be protected from accidental short circuits.
Australian aviation authorities also provide specific requirements for lithium batteries and mobility aids when travelling by air, so families planning to combine a car journey with a flight should check their airline's requirements well before travelling.
9. Never Load a Damaged Battery
Pay particular attention to the condition of the battery before a long car journey.
If a battery shows signs of damage, swelling, overheating or other unusual behaviour, stop using or charging it and seek advice from the manufacturer or a qualified service provider.
Lithium-ion batteries can present a fire risk when damaged, particularly after an impact, so battery condition should not be ignored simply because the wheelchair is being transported rather than used.
10. Rear-Mounted Carriers Are Another Option
Families who cannot fit an electric wheelchair inside their vehicle may consider a rear-mounted carrier.
These systems attach to the vehicle and provide an external platform for carrying a wheelchair or personal mobility device.
However, the combined weight of the carrier and wheelchair must be compatible with the vehicle and towbar specifications.
South Australian vehicle standards guidance specifically highlights requirements relating to carrier load limits, towbar downward-load ratings, overhang and proper restraint of the mobility device.
External carriers can also affect vehicle handling, rear visibility, clearance and access to the vehicle's boot, so they should be selected and fitted carefully.
11. Don't Forget the Extra Weight
When transporting an electric wheelchair, families sometimes focus only on whether it physically fits inside the car.
Weight is equally important.
Consider the combined weight of:
- The electric wheelchair
- The battery
- The ramp or loading equipment
- Any hoist or carrier
- Other luggage and passengers
For rear-mounted carriers, check the manufacturer's maximum load and the vehicle's towbar rating rather than assuming that a towbar automatically means the vehicle can carry any wheelchair.
12. Plan the Loading Process Before the First Trip
It is worth practising at home before taking the wheelchair on a long journey.
Try the complete process:
- Park the vehicle on a suitable level surface.
- Open the boot or loading area fully.
- Fold or prepare the wheelchair according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Position the ramp or lifting equipment if required.
- Load the wheelchair carefully.
- Switch the wheelchair off.
- Position it so that it cannot interfere with passengers or vehicle controls.
- Secure it using the appropriate restraints or storage system.
- Check that loose components cannot move around.
- Close the boot or doors and check that nothing is obstructing the driver.
Practising this process can make future journeys quicker and can help identify problems with the vehicle, wheelchair or loading equipment before travelling far from home.
13. Choose the Transport Method Around Your Family's Routine
There is no single transport solution that works for every Australian family.
Someone who takes their wheelchair to the local shopping centre once a week may have different requirements from a family that drives hundreds of kilometres for holidays.
Consider how you normally travel:
- Short local trips: A lightweight, foldable wheelchair that fits into the boot may be convenient.
- Frequent family outings: A ramp or hoist may reduce repeated lifting.
- Long-distance travel: Battery condition, charging arrangements and secure storage become increasingly important.
- Larger vehicles: Vans and larger SUVs may provide more options for loading and storage.
- Very heavy mobility aids: A suitable hoist, trailer or external carrier may need to be considered.
14. What Australian Families Should Check Before a Road Trip
Before setting off, take a few minutes to check the wheelchair and vehicle.
- Is the wheelchair securely restrained?
- Is the wheelchair switched off?
- Is the battery securely positioned?
- Are removable components secured?
- Is the boot or cargo area closed properly?
- Is the wheelchair blocking the driver's rear visibility?
- Does the vehicle remain within its relevant load limits?
- If using a carrier, is it correctly fitted and secured?
- Do you have enough battery charge for the destination?
- Have you planned where the wheelchair will be unloaded?
Transporting an Electric Wheelchair Should Make the Journey Easier
For Australian families, transporting an electric wheelchair by car does not necessarily require a specialised vehicle. A foldable and relatively lightweight design may fit into a suitable boot, while ramps, hoists and external carriers can provide alternatives when lifting or storage space becomes a challenge.
The most important consideration is not simply whether the wheelchair fits. It is whether the complete loading and transport process can be carried out safely and consistently.
Before buying an electric wheelchair, measure your vehicle, check the wheelchair's folded dimensions and weight, consider how it will be loaded and make sure you have a suitable way to secure it during travel.
For families who regularly travel by car, choosing a wheelchair that fits both the person's mobility needs and the family's transport routine can make everyday outings much simpler.
Looking for a lightweight electric wheelchair that is easier to transport?
At ELFIGO Mobility Australia (Formerly Falcon Mobility), our recommendations are guided by real Australian households, clinical guidance, and long‑term usability — not one‑time transactions.
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