Gilani Engineering ┬╖ Electric wheelchair buying guide
Find an electric wheelchair that works with your car.
Check the folded size, boot opening and loading weight before you choose. A wheelchair needs to suit your everyday mobilityтАФand the way you transport it.
Explore folding electric wheelchairsSome folding electric wheelchairs can fit in a car boot, but compatibility depends on the specific wheelchair and vehicle. A large boot does not automatically mean easy loading. The narrowest opening, luggage-floor shape, wheelchair folding method and weight all matter.
This guide covers carrying an unoccupied wheelchair as luggage while you travel in a vehicle seat. If you need to stay seated in your wheelchair during the journey, explore our G24 NoRamp┬о wheelchair-accessible vehicle conversions.
What should you measure before buying?
Measure your car with the seats in the position you normally use. Then compare those measurements with the wheelchairтАЩs folded transport dimensions, including any parts that remain attached.
| Check | What to measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Boot opening | The narrowest usable width and height with the boot fully open. | The chair must pass through the opening, not simply fit inside the luggage area. |
| Usable boot space | Floor depth, width between wheel arches and height beneath the closed tailgate or boot lid. | Interior trim, sloping glass and the closing path can reduce usable space. |
| Folded wheelchair | Overall folded length, width and height in the manufacturer-approved transport position. | Wheels, handles, joystick and footrests may extend beyond the folded frame. |
| Loading height | Height from the ground to the boot lip and any drop down to the luggage floor. | A high lip or deep boot can make lifting and retrieving the chair harder. |
| Other luggage | Space needed for bags, shopping, walking aids and other equipment. | The wheelchair needs to fit alongside what you actually carry. |
| Passenger seating | Available boot space with every required passenger seat in use. | A chair that fits only with seats folded may not suit family trips. |
Do not rely on boot capacity in litres
Two cars with similar luggage capacity can have very different openings. A sedan may have a deep boot with a restricted entrance, while a hatchback may offer a taller opening. An SUV can provide more height but also a higher loading lip. Check the actual vehicle rather than choosing by body style alone.
Will you be able to load it comfortably?
Folding makes a wheelchair more compact; it does not necessarily make it light. Check whether the listed weight includes the battery and accessories, and ask for the weight you will actually lift in your intended transport arrangement.
If the model allows battery removal, follow its instructions and compare the remaining lifting weight. Also consider grip positions, the height of the boot, the reach needed to place the chair inside and whether someone will be available to assist on every trip.
- Ask to see the complete folding and unfolding process.
- Identify the manufacturerтАЩs approved lifting points.
- Check whether the folded chair stays securely closed during handling.
- Plan how you will remove it from the boot at your destination.
- Allow time to reconnect permitted removable components before use.
If lifting is difficult, discuss a wheelchair boot hoist. A hoist needs its own compatibility assessment: lifting capacity, mounting, wheelchair attachment, lifting travel and remaining boot space all matter.
Compare your electric wheelchair transport options
| Option | When to consider it | Main checks |
|---|---|---|
| Folding wheelchair loaded by hand | You can manage the loading task, or suitable assistance is consistently available. | Folded dimensions, actual lifting weight, grip points and boot-lip height. |
| Wheelchair with removable components | The model is designed to separate for transport and you can manage the extra steps. | Heaviest individual piece, permitted removal procedure and storage for every component. |
| Car boot hoist | You want assistance lifting an unoccupied wheelchair into the vehicle. | Vehicle fitment, load capacity, approved lifting attachment and space for both chair and hoist. |
| Suitable loading ramp | The wheelchair, vehicle and ramp are compatible with loading an unoccupied chair. | Ramp rating, secure support, operating instructions, loading angle, traction and deployment space. |
| Wheelchair-accessible vehicle | You need to travel seated in your wheelchair rather than transfer into a vehicle seat. | Occupied wheelchair fit, approved seating position, wheelchair securement and occupant restraint. |
A boot hoist is for lifting equipment, not a person seated in a wheelchair. Likewise, a luggage-loading ramp is not automatically suitable for occupied access. Discuss your intended use before choosing equipment.
Browse our electric wheelchair range for mobility options, or explore boot hoists and stowage solutions if loading is your main concern.
Choose for everyday mobility as well as transport
A compact folded size is useful, but it is only one part of choosing an electric wheelchair. Consider seat comfort, user weight capacity, controls, the places you use it and your daily travel needs. A wheelchair that fits your boot still needs to work well once you arrive.
Check how it will be secured for the journey
Plan appropriate restraint for the unoccupied chair and any removed components. Follow the wheelchair and vehicle instructions; do not assume a folded chair will stay in place because it feels heavy. Protect the joystick and wiring from luggage, keep controls switched off as instructed, and check that the boot closes without pressing against the chair.
Bring your own car to a trial
Ask to try the exact wheelchair model with your vehicle. Bring the person who normally assists with loading and any bags or equipment you routinely carry. Check loading and unloading, not just whether the chair can be placed inside once.
Your car-boot compatibility checklist
Tick each item as you prepare for your enquiry or trial.
Frequently asked questions
Can a folding electric wheelchair fit in a small car?
Some combinations may work, but check the specific folded dimensions and boot opening. A practical trial is especially useful where space is limited or the chair needs to be turned while loading.
Does every electric wheelchair fold?
No. Folding methods and transport arrangements vary. Some wheelchairs fold, some have removable components and others need a different transport solution. Check the exact model before buying.
Which matters more: wheelchair weight or folded size?
Both matter. The dimensions determine whether the chair can pass through the opening and fit inside. The lifting weight and handling arrangement determine whether you can load and unload it practically.
Can I remove the battery to make loading easier?
Only where the model is designed for battery removal. Follow its instructions for removal, handling, storage and reconnection. Confirm how much weight removal actually takes off the part you will lift.
Can I lay the wheelchair on its side in the boot?
Do not assume this is permitted. Use the manufacturer-approved transport orientation and protect vulnerable components. Ask about the exact model if the published instructions are unclear.
Will a boot hoist fit every car?
No. Fitment depends on the vehicle structure, available space, hoist installation requirements and wheelchair. The chair and hoist must work together through the full lifting and stowing movement.
Can I stay seated in my wheelchair while it is transported?
This guide concerns an unoccupied wheelchair carried as luggage. To travel seated in your wheelchair, you need a suitable wheelchair-accessible vehicle and an approved arrangement for the wheelchair and occupant. Ask Gilani Engineering about your requirements.
What should I send Gilani Engineering before a trial?
Send your carтАЩs make, model and year, photos of the open boot, boot measurements and the wheelchair model you are considering. Mention who will load it and whether you need to keep all passenger seats available.
LetтАЩs check your wheelchair and car together.
Tell us about your vehicle, mobility needs and loading arrangements. Our team can help you explore folding electric wheelchairs and suitable loading options, and discuss a trial.
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