Short answer: yes. Most recumbent trikes can get electric assist later. You do not have to buy an "e" model now and pay thousands more for it. If your trike has a standard 135 mm rear drop-out, a complete Falco motor wheel drops in, usually in an afternoon.
Why people ask
You walk into a trike shop. Say the trike you like costs $3,000 without a motor. The electric version costs $6,000 to $8,500. You are not sure you need the motor yet. Maybe your knees are fine today. Maybe your hills are small. So you wonder: if I buy the plain one, am I stuck?
You are not stuck.
What adding a motor later looks like
- Measure your rear drop-out. That is the gap the rear axle sits in. 135 mm is the common size on Catrike, TerraTrike, ICE, HP Velotechnik, Greenspeed and AZUB trikes. How to measure it.
- Swap the rear wheel. The Falco f7.9 comes as a complete wheel with the motor, controller and sensors inside the hub. Your gears move over.
- Mount the battery. Most owners put it behind the seat or on the rear rack.
- Add the throttle and display. Then ride.
Owners have done this on almost every brand. Read Susan's ICE Sprint X story (she was 78), the Catrike Dumont how-to, or Alan's HP Velotechnik conversion.
What it costs
| Option | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Extra cost of a factory "e" model over the plain model | Often several thousand dollars more |
| Dealer mid-drive kit (motor at the pedals, drives your chain) | About $1,900 to $2,600 on sale, made per brand |
| Bosch add-on kit for one brand | About $3,300 to $3,550 |
| Falco f7.9 (750 W, 672 Wh) | $2,295, fits most brands |
Dealer prices checked at two large US recumbent dealers, September 30, 2026. Prices change.
Hub or mid-drive? A mid-drive turns your chain, so it climbs very steep hills well in low gears, but it wears your chain and cassette faster and needs special tools to fit. The f7.9 is a hub motor in the rear wheel. It adds no wear to your drivetrain, and it gives you reverse, regenerative braking and a five-year motor warranty. Tell us your hills and we will tell you honestly which suits you.
Check your trike maker's warranty. Some makers limit their frame warranty when a motor over 250 W is added. Ask your dealer or the maker before you convert.
When to buy electric from the start
Be honest with yourself. If you already find hills hard, or you want to ride 20 miles or more, get electric assist now. You will ride more. If you have not bought a trike yet and want the simplest route, the Three Wheels of Magic is a complete electric trike for $2,995.
When to wait
If your rides are flat and short and your legs are strong, buy the trike that fits you best and ride it. When you want help, add the motor. Nothing is wasted.
Things to check before you buy a plain trike
- Rear drop-out is 135 mm (ask the dealer)
- Rear wheel size: we build Falco wheels from 16 to 29 inch
- Room behind the seat or a rack for the battery
- Disc or rim brakes: both work
Not sure about your trike? Send us the make, model and year. We will tell you if it is a straight fit. Check the fit guide, call 877-278-6323, or book a free call.