Market Scenario 

Global electric wheelchair market anticipated to reach a valuation of US$ 18.0 billion by 2032, up from US$ 7.3 billion in 2023 at an estimated CAGR of 10.6% during the forecast period 2024-2032.

The electric wheelchair market is on the rise owing to a number of factors, including the growth in geriatric population around the world and increased prevalence of disability. As reported in 2023 by the WHO, over 1 billion people suffer from some forms of disability with mobility being one of the common problems. There are old people, for example, veterans and many more with disability conditions i.e. muscular dystrophy and spinal cord injury. The end-users of the electric wheelchair mainly are senior citizens who are maintaining their independence and looking for ease of movement. The price range for electric wheelchairs is notable with most models being in $1,500 and $7, 000 price band some high ones being $10,000 based on the features or technology.

Various reasons can be pointed out as the specific motives that underlie the global increasing demand for the electric wheelchair market. Owing to Urbanization and improved healthcare services, life expectancy has increased causing growth in the elderly population. As per the report by CDC in 2023, approximately 53 million Americans are over the age of 65 years. Moreover, technology evolution has increased the function ability of electric wheelchairs, such as enhanced battery capacity, lighter framework, and smart technology in deployment. The rise in technology aided marketing through e-commerce has also contributed as a greater number of people are exposed to these machines due to the online marketing strategies. Moreover, in countries such as USA, Germany, and Japan increasing government initiatives and subsidies have also helped in encouraging citizens to buy electric wheelchairs.

Major participants in the electric wheelchair market include Invacare Corporation, Pride Mobility Products Corp. Sunrise Medical and Permobil AB. These firms are leading in the adoption of advanced technologies, with research and development activities that help in improving the user experience. In 2023, Invacare unveiled a new model powered by lithium-ion batteries that could go as far as 18 miles on a single charge. Further, they are also using AI technology for navigation and obstacle detecting purposes. Due to the incorporation of IoT technologies such as remote monitoring and diagnostics have improved both the post-sales maintenance and the user experience considerably. Moreover, the emergence of 3D manufacturing technology helps manufacturers provide clients with personalized enablement at a cheaper cost, which helps to fuel the demand in the market.

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Market Dynamics 

Driver: Increasing Elderly Population Globally Driving Demand for Mobility Assistance Solutions

One of the major factors propelling growth in the electric wheelchair market is the increase in the elderly population worldwide. This is primarily attributable to the increasing life expectations while the fertility rate decreases in quite a number of areas. This is evidence for a rising need of such tools that allows mobility, like electric wheelchairs, which aid people to operate without assistance thereby improving their general life satisfaction. As there are more than 1 billon people who are aged 60 years and above, reliable mobility aids are becoming even more essential to people in this demographic bracket. The electric wheelchair companies have responded to these needs by manufacturing wheelchairs that appropriately respond to the elderly’s needs in regards to comfort, safety and ease of use.

The recent statistics avail further evidence for this assertion: about half of the people currently using electric wheelchairs are aged 65 years and above, showing how particular the product is to this age group. Gradually, the wave of the average age range of electric wheelchair users is increasing, suggesting that there is ever dependence on the devices as people grow old. There are over 20 million users globally, aged 60 years and over, who can use electric wheelchairs within the projected target range of this decade. About 70 nations have reported the above nations expanding such mobility aid programs to the elderly and other individuals. In addition, the number of community centers and facilities providing accessibility for electric wheelchair users has exceeded the number of 15000 worldwide. Further analysis of these aspects of development showcases the importance of electric wheelchairs concerning mobility among the older people.

Trend: Integration of Smart Technologies and IoT in Electric Wheelchair Designs

The integration of smart technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) into electric wheelchair designs is a transformative trend reshaping the electric wheelchair market. This is mainly due to the introduction of new features like GPS tracking, sensors for monitoring health status, and connectivity to mobile devices which make the electric wheelchairs more functional. Such advances are helpful not just to the users, but also to the caregivers and health professionals who are able to obtain useful information about the health and safety of the subject and provide help, if needed. With the development of hands-free interface control technology, people can control electric wheelchairs by just using their voices without using hands.

In 2023 and considering this trend, there are about 500 models of electric wheelchairs that have systems with smart integration. At least 10 major companies in the global electric wheelchair market have begun to merge IoT capabilities into their product range, which is setting an entirely new level of innovation within the industry. The average prices of smart electric wheelchairs were down by around 10% in recent years hence widening the consumer base. At least, over 5000 healthcare institutions in the world are able to provide improved care to patients using data from smart wheelchairs. Moreover, more than three thousand patents for smart wheelchair technologies have been registered, showing that development of this technology is still in progress. These statistics serve to illustrate the fact that smart technology plays a great role in changing the design of electric wheelchairs.

Challenge: High Cost of Electric Wheelchairs Limiting Affordability for Many Users

Expensive component of the electric wheelchair is one of the major challenges in the electric wheelchair market, which acts as a deterrent for many customers. The upfront cost, along with any continuing care that may be assured, and expenses in the course of possible adjustments may be restrictive to persons and households particularly those lacking deep pocketed health coverage. It's worth noting that even though most electric wheelchairs can be purchased within a price range of $1,500 to $10,000, those with smart technology incorporated may attract costs above $15,000. Such a financial burden becomes a key challenge as most of those construction centers are also not able to reap the benefits these mobility aids have to offer.

These statistics might clarify this issue further: over 40% of prospective users of electric wheelchairs mention affordability as a primary obstacle. In response to this issue, the majority, over 1000 nonprofit organizations, are active around the world in providing funds and grants to buy electric wheelchairs. However, despite such positive measures, the situation does not improve much with only 25% of electric wheelchair users being provided with any financial assistance. The category of electric wheelchair that costs less than US$2,000 is quite small with less than 200 such electric wheelchairs selling at cost below US$ 2,000. It should also be noted here that an electric wheelchair has a maintenance fee of about US$ 300 dollars each year, which also inconveniences the users. 

Segmental Analysis 

By Product 

The electric wheelchair market has grown enormously with the center wheel drive segment taking the lead. As of 2023, the center wheel drive segment held a sizeable value of the market at US$ 3,700 million and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 11.4% for the forecasted period. The entire credit goes into the superiority offered by the center wheel drive in terms of stability and turning, two indispensable attributes when considering the safety and comfort of the users. Since about 87% of wheelchair users topple or overturn into objects or over physical boundaries, it follows that such a design, which positions the user’s center of gravity on the driving wheels of the center wheel drive system is safer and is prone to fewer accidental occurrences. Moreover, the drive is out done by the others in that it has the least 360 degrees wheel turning circumference with a radius of the wheel span of 20 to 26 inches. This is how portrait steering is defined the most steering efficient. This function is of great importance when navigating congested areas such as inside the household or other people's places, and public sites. In 2023 there was an increase in sales of electric wheelchairs above 1.2 million units which geographically indicates that the invitation for mobility is restive among the old people.

The expansion of the electric wheelchair market is additionally bolstered by the growing requirement for complex mobility systems. In particular, North America led in revenue with 34.9% share in 2023. This growth is propelled by the changes in technology and the launch of new products including R-TRAK RWD Power Wheelchair and Magic Mobility Magic 360 which caters for both indoor and outdoor users. The expansion of the market is also provoked by the increasing number of elderly individuals with disabilities as about 50% of those aged above 75 years suffer from some form of disability. This pushed up the demand for electric wheelchairs. Smart wheelchairs recorded significant growth in the global market in 2023 as AI-based navigation systems were incorporated into more than 300,000 units sold.

By Component 

Several compelling factors underpin the dominance of the motor component in the electric wheelchair market that meets the increasing mobility requirements of individuals with disabilities. In 2023, the estimated number of electric wheelchair users across the globe was around 4.5 million, which contributes to the ever-increasing need for mobility. As for the market transactions, the motor segment worth US$ 2,809 million in 2023 still dominates the industry owing to the versatility and the adaptation to the needs of the consumers. The motors found in these wheelchairs are designed for reliability and power to enable operation for a specific average range of 10 to 20 miles on a single charge hence benefiting users who require movement across different environments. The other factor has been a rise in the overall population of the aged people who constituted over a billion people in 2023 where this population benefited from the electric wheelchairs due to increased aspects of mobility.

At the same time, electric wheelchair market cater to comfort and safety of the user due to advanced unique additional features that are technology driven. Studies on electric wheelchairs from 2009 and 2023 estimated that reverse with172023 approximately70 percent of newly tendered electric wheelchairs have been deployed with better features like obstacle sensing and braking systems focusing on the motor design. The average motor lifespan has been increased to commensurate with decrease of replacement credits at a period of about 5years. In addition, the use of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries with more than 80 percent of the wheelchair market significantly improved motor functionality through improved charging speed and duration of use. There has been great progress in the electric wheelchair sector with massive investments which went into research and development in refining motors and related components to meet evolving consumer requirements with over US$500 million utilized in 2023 alone. Such benefits not only support why the motor part is and will remain the lead in the market but also shows great alignment with the industry’s progressive nature, considering desires for more convenience and effectiveness, which exhibits positive growth trends with forecasts of a compound annual growth rate of 11.7% between Rad from 2023 to 2032 inclusive.

By Charging Type 

As per charging type, the wired charging segment captured more than 78% of electric wheelchair market and is also expected to keep increasing at a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period. According to estimates from 2023, there are around 2.7 million people in the United States who use a wheelchair of some sort, and a considerable number of them use electric wheelchairs for greater ease of movement. It is important that wired charging systems are dependable because it would provide a reliable source of power, which is needed in day-to-day operations. This is because an average semantic electric wheelchair user charges at least once every two days. In addition, the global electric wheelchair market continues to grow rapidly, with an amount of more than 1.5 million sold in a year. Wired systems depend on an already existing infrastructure which is important because with the current wireless charging systems in place the available one is inadequate. Such shortages impact the 1.2 million public wheelchair users who need to charge often and makes it clear the need for easy and effective charger.

In addition, concerns about the cost of wireless systems have further enhanced the competitive advantage held by the wired segment of the electric wheelchair market. The average implementation cost of a wireless charging system can be unbearable in low income regions and do or do not have wastage allocation in the health budgets. For example, the average installation cost of a wireless charging pad can be over US$ 500 while for wired systems, additional infrastructure investment beyond the first purchase is hardly any. This cost difference is important in areas like Southeast Asia, which is witnessing a huge thrust in the market expected to sell over 300,000 units in that region by the year 2025. The same applies to wired charging systems which are more acceptable in already established healthcare systems that are served by wired infrastructure. By 2025, over 80% of hospitals and care facilities in developed countries will have wired charging stations for about 16% of which are without the wireless features which less than 15%. The severe lack of available public charging spots in wheelchairs further aggravates the situation and makes wireless charging the best option for most users.

By Application 

Senior care application is dominating the electric wheelchair market accounting for more than 36.9% revenue share. The segment's dominance in market is primarily facilitated with the growing geriatric and aging population, which is associated with mobility related hindrances. This surge is driven by the increasing population of people of 60 years and above since these people are the most users of electric wheelchairs. Countries like the US and the UK are well known for having the elderly population with higher rates of mobility related disabilities. The World Health Organization projects that in 2023 worldwide people aged 60 and above population was already of over 1.1 billion. This suggests that indoor electric wheelchair market would be a little inflation in the market size. Moreover, there are also reports that suggest that the Elderly escalating population in the U.S. alone is likely to grow to about two folds in year 2050. The market was further boosted by technology improvements, which include launching new models that are fully automated and equipped with voice controls. There is an observable change on the elders’ population with regard to the increasing uptake of mobile devices with several reports noting that about 40% of seniors cellular devices usage was in the year 2023. Also in the same year 2023 the survey showed that more than 65% of seniors consider mobility as an important component to address in their health wellbeing.

The electric wheelchair market growth in the senior care segment is also bolstered by the increasing number of elderly people wishing to live in their own homes as long as they can manage to do so. This is further exemplified by the fact that even within the home care segment, elderly wheelchairs play a pivotal role in making sure senior citizens can self-reliance. A 2023 study, however, found that about 70% of older individuals preferred to stay at home while getting older. Within the powered wheelchair market which consists of electric and so forth, the demand for power chairs has risen. Further expansion in the market of electric wheelchair is due to innovative models; such Magic Mobility Magic 360 which allows both indoor and outdoor use of its users. In a consumer report released in 2023, eight out of ten users of Magic 360 rated the versatility and usability of the device as good or very good. The changing demographics in our current society may result in growing demand for electrically powered wheelchairs even though this trend seems negative.

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Regional Analysis 

The North America dominates the electric wheelchair market with a reasonable 37% market share due to advanced healthcare system of the region and high per capita income. In 2023, the sold over 500,000 electric wheelchairs and this level of sales underscores the market share. The U.S. is central to this demand, with more than 61 million adults having disabilities in 2021, hence the need for mobility devices and creating room for industry growth. Other forms of technologies such as the supply of smart wheelchairs which incorporates IoT technology in the operation of electric wheelchairs can also be found in this market and the United States is at the head for developments. Regionally, Canada, although having fewer populations, is also battling a storm with healthy technology funding which is increasing the market size in the region. Moreover, there are new studies that report over eighty percent of all North American health care facilities supply electric wheel chairs and this also support the cause for market expansion.

After North America, Europe captures the second highest electric wheelchair market share. The region considerable sales of electric wheelchairs over 300,000 for the year 2023, demonstrating its reasonable input to the industry. Several of the world’s prominent providers and developers of mobilizing devices are located within Europe, with leading nations being Germany, France and the UK. The positive effect of countries like the European Union, which has dedicated resources to ensure improvement in the living standards of people with disabilities through some supportive policies add to the growth of this market. European population in respect of the elderly people has more than 90 million people aged 65 years and above, which presents the aging population trend as a key factor to fuel up the demand of mobility. Also, the whole industry is changing as more and more factories in the region adopt a more safe and green production profile.

As per Astute Analytica, North America and Europe will continue to retain a strong market position. Concerning North America, the electric wheelchair market in the region is expected to achieve an additional sales of 100,000 units annually by the year 2032, due to better technologies and consumer awareness. The same progress is particularly anticipated within Europe, owing to the encouraging sales volume, which is believed to increase by an estimate of 80,000 units by 2032. The rising incidence of disabilities along with growth in health care expenditure is expected to create opportunities for the market in these two regions. Government support for disabilities in the U.S. is anticipated to increase to $500 million in 2025, thus furthering the growth of the market. Indeed, Europe is also with expectations of putting into place another 300 million dollars by 2027 for the research and development of mobility stimulating devices such as the power wheel chairs. These factors, alongside innovations in product features and usability, will also help maintain the market share of North America and Europe in the global electric wheelchair market.

Top Players in Global Electric Wheelchair Market:

• Carex Health Brands, Inc.
• Drive Medical Ltd.
• GF Health Products, Inc.
• Invacare Corporation
• Karma Medical Products Co., Ltd
• Karman Healthcare
• LEVO AG
• Matsunaga Manufactory Co., Ltd.
• Medline
• MEYRA GmbH
• Miki Kogyosho Co. Ltd.
• Nissin Medical Industries Co., Ltd.
• OttoBock Healthcare GmbH
• Permobil AB
• Pride Mobility Products Corp.
• Quantum Rehab
• Seating Matters
• Sunrise Medical Limited
• Other Prominent Players

Market Segmentation Overview:

By Product

• Center Wheel Drive
• Front Wheel Drive
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Standing Electric Wheelchair
• Push-Rim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchairs (PAPAWs)
• Others

By Component

• Joystick
• Battery
• Transmission Belt
• Motors
• Others

By Charging Type

• Wired
• Wireless

By Application

• Post-Acute Care
• Pediatric care
• Maternity Care
• Senior Care
• Home Care
• Sport Injury
• Others

By Distribution Channel

• Online
  • E-Commerce Websites
  • Company Websites
• Offline
  • OEMs
  • Distributors
  • Others

By End-user

• Homecare settings
• Hospitals/Clinics
• Others (Travel & Transport, Hospitality, Education)

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Western Europe
    • The UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Rest of Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
    • Poland
    • Russia
    • Rest of Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE
  • Rest of MEA
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Rest of South America