JackRabbit has made a name for itself by doing things differently in the e-bike world, and now the company is taking that same unconventional approach into cargo territory. This week, the San Diego-based micromobility brand unveiled the new MG Cargo, an ultra-lightweight cargo e-bike that aims to deliver serious hauling capability without the size and weight penalty that typically comes with the category.
At just 55 lb (25 kg), the JackRabbit MG Cargo is dramatically lighter than most cargo e-bikes, which often tip the scales at 80–100 lb (36-45 kg) or more.
Yet despite its compact build, the company claims a total payload capacity of up to 500 lb (225 kg), meaning the bike can carry nearly ten times its own weight. And if you’re wondering whether you’ve got carte blanche to stuff those 500 pounds anywhere, the answer is “almost”. Technically, the bike carries up to 500 pounds total counting the rider and cargo, with with that including up to 375 lb rider weight and up to 250 lb on the rear rack (thought obviously not at the same time, because math).
That 500 pounds is a striking figure, and it highlights what JackRabbit is trying to accomplish here: redefining what a cargo e-bike looks like. Instead of the longtail or front-loader designs that dominate the segment, the MG Cargo sticks closer to the brand’s signature compact, almost BMX-inspired form factor. The result is a bike that promises to be easier to ride, easier to store, and easier to live with on a daily basis.
The folding design plays a big role in that usability. The MG Cargo can collapse down to just 8 inches (200 mm) wide, making it far more apartment-friendly or RV-friendly than traditional cargo bikes. That’s a major departure from the usual “where do I even put this thing?” problem that comes with many cargo models.
And here’s where it’s also important to point out that while I’m calling the JackRabbit MG Cargo an “e-bike”, I’m using the loosely defined, colloquial understanding of the term, since JackRabbit’s eschew the pretense of vestigial pedals in favor of minimalist footpegs.
The pedants among us will surely chew my head off in the comment section about what it means to be an e-bike, but they’re forgetting that 1) “e-bike” is a colloquial term, not a regulatory term like “electric bicycle”, and 2) what does it really matter, as long as you know where you fit in the law?
More states are adopting micromobility laws that fit a wider range of rides from standing and seated e-scooters to electric bicycles and more. At the end of the day, this is a lightweight, 20 mph (32 km/h) bike-like micromobility device. In fact, it weighs a lot less than most e-bikes we cover. So let’s all just relax and enjoy fun things. Life is short. Ride something unique like a JackRabbit. I do.
Anyway, where was I? Oh right, the tech specs.
Under the hood, the MG Cargo features a 749W motor paired with JackRabbit’s dual swappable RangeBuster battery system, offering up to 48 miles (77 km) of range. Riders can choose between multiple speed modes, topping out at 20 mph (32 km/h) on-road, though there’s also an unlockable off-road mode pushing that to 24 mph (39 km/h).
Even with that “unlocked” extra speed, it’s not exactly pushing into hooligan territory, so I have to commend JackRabbit there on keeping things fairly reasonable. And since you always want to have as much stopping power as you have going power, hydraulic disc brakes round out the package.
The bike rides on a 24″ front tire and a 20″ rear tire, using the mullet setup to give better rollover in the front and a lower rack height in the rear. Plus, the fact that it made the unique e-bike look even slightly more bizarre than usual was probably just a bonus for the fun-loving designers over there at JackRabbit.
There’s also integrated lighting, included fenders, a wide bamboo-topped rear rack, and a ton of frame bosses for bolting accessories onto the frame and fork, lending more cargo credence to the package.
As someone who has spent a fair amount of time riding various JackRabbit models – from the tiny OG2 to the surprisingly capable two-seater MG Doble – I can say the company has a knack for making bikes that feel far more fun and practical than their specs alone might suggest (and than their compact size would otherwise imply).
Those crazy folks over at JackRabbit have consistently leaned into lightweight design and modularity, and the MG Cargo looks like a natural extension of that philosophy into a more utility-focused segment.
Speaking of modularity, JackRabbit is also launching a new accessory ecosystem called ModRabbit alongside the MG Cargo. The platform acts as a marketplace for both first-party and third-party accessories, including gear from brands like Ortlieb, Thule, and Burley.
It’s designed to let riders customize not just the MG Cargo, but other JackRabbit models and even compatible e-bikes from different brands. From adding suspension to cargo baskets and bags to sissy bars and all sorts of other fun accessories, ModRabbit lets riders build out their JackRabbit into a one-of-a-kind machine that does exactly what they need.
At launch, JackRabbit is also offering new accessories tailored specifically to the MG Cargo, including a Copilot Kit that adds a passenger seat and handlebars for carrying a second rider, and a Side Rack Kit that expands hauling capacity with additional storage on either side of the bike.
The MG Cargo is priced at $2,499 and will be available starting today through JackRabbit’s website and its network of more than 200 dealers.
Author: Micah Toll
Source: Electrek
Reviewed By: Editorial Team
