Getting an electric wheelchair into a car is straightforward once you've chosen the right method. The mistake most people make is picking a chair without thinking about how it will travel. Sort both decisions together and you'll save yourself a lot of hassle.
Here are the three main options, with guidance on which one suits your situation.
Key takeaways
- A folding lithium chair under 20kg can go in a large car boot with a ramp. No hoist needed.
- Standard non-folding power chairs (60 to 100kg) need a vehicle ramp or rear-platform hoist
- A wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) is the right solution when the person needs to travel seated in the chair
In this article
- The three main options for car transport
- How to choose the right method
- Vehicle ramps: what to look for
The three main options for car transport
The right method comes down to the chair's weight, whether it folds, and what vehicle you're working with.
Vehicle ramp into the boot
A portable or fixed ramp lets you (or a carer) drive the power chair up into an SUV, wagon, or van boot. It's the most common and cost-effective solution for folding or lighter power chairs.
You'll need a vehicle with a low boot floor and enough internal length (most power chairs are 95 to 115cm long), a ramp rated to the chair's weight, and a ramp angle that suits the chair's ground clearance.
Boot ramps work well with wagons, large SUVs, and vans. They're impractical for sedans and small hatchbacks, which tend to have higher boot lips and shorter internal length.
Rear-platform hoist or carrier
A rear-platform hoist mounts to the tow bar and lifts the chair onto a platform behind the car. The chair travels outside the vehicle. This suits any car with a tow bar and removes the need for a large boot.
Platform hoists handle heavier non-folding chairs well. They do add length to the vehicle, so check local parking restrictions before committing. You'll also need a tow bar if your car doesn't already have one. A quality platform hoist typically costs $1,500 to $3,500 installed.
Wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV)
A WAV has an internal ramp or lift that lets a wheelchair user travel in the chair, secured with tie-down straps inside the vehicle. It's the right solution for anyone who can't transfer in and out of a car seat and needs to travel seated in their chair.
WAVs cost considerably more than ramp or hoist setups. Most conversions start at $30,000 to $60,000 for the vehicle modification. Some people access WAVs through NDIS or state transport schemes.
How to choose the right method
Matching the method to chair weight and car type
| Chair type | Best transport method | Vehicle needed |
|---|---|---|
| Folding lithium, under 20kg | Boot ramp or manual lift | Large hatchback, SUV, wagon |
| Standard non-folding, 60-100kg | Vehicle ramp or rear-platform hoist | SUV/wagon (ramp) or any car with tow bar (hoist) |
| User travels in chair | Wheelchair-accessible vehicle | Modified WAV only |
What carers need to consider
If a carer is handling the chair alone, anything heavier than about 20kg needs a ramp or hoist. Manual lifting above that weight is a real injury risk. A folding lithium chair in the 15 to 20kg range is manageable for a physically capable adult, but loading it via a ramp is still the safer option.
Think through the whole routine: who loads, how often, in what vehicle, at what locations. A plan that looks good on paper can fall apart at 7am in the rain.
Vehicle ramps: what to look for
If a vehicle ramp is the right fit, match it carefully to both the chair and the vehicle:
- Weight rating: the ramp must exceed the chair's total weight (the person transfers before loading, so it's chair weight only)
- Length: a longer ramp creates a shallower angle, which is kinder on the chair's motors and easier on the carer doing the loading
- Width: the ramp must be wider than the chair's wheelbase
- Ground clearance check: the chair's lowest point must clear the ramp lip. Get in touch and we'll check this for your specific model.
Browse our vehicle loading ramps or our folding electric wheelchair range, both designed to work together for easy car transport.