The global electric wheelchair market is largely driven by growing geriatric population and rising cases of physical disabilities. Electric wheelchairs provide independent mobility to patients suffering from arthritis, neurological conditions, spinal cord injuries and other mobility impairments. Powered by lithium-ion batteries, electric wheelchairs offer convenience of recharging and transport. Features like collapsible frames, lightweight designs and accessible control systems have optimized user experience. The growing demand for home healthcare devices is also spurring sales of electric wheelchairs.

The Global electric wheelchair market is estimated to be valued at US$ 8.71 Billion in 2024 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 11% over the forecast period 2024 to 2031.

Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the electric wheelchair market are Invacare Corporation, Sunrise Medical (US) LLC, Permobil Inc., Pride Mobility Products Corporation, Drive Devilbiss Healthcare, Hoveround Corporation, Ottobock Healthcare, 21st Century Scientific, Inc., Meyra GmbH, LEVO AG, Merits Co. Ltd., Segway Inc., Scewo, GF Health Products Inc., Karman Healthcare, Inc., KYMCO Healthcare, SOWECARE B.V, and Nanjing Jin Bai He Medical Apparatus Co., Ltd.

The demand for electric wheelchairs is expected to increase significantly over the forecast period, driven by the growth of the aging population globally suffering from mobility issues. According to the UN report, over next 30 years, the number of people aged 60 or above is projected to grow by 56%, from 962 million globally in 2017 to around 1.4 billion in 2030.
Technological advancements are enabling improved designs, features and functionality of electric wheelchairs. Manufacturers are focusing on developing lightweight frames, foldable designs, enhanced driving capabilities, intuitive control systems and integration of connectivity features to optimize user experience. Newer electric wheelchairs are also integrated with Bluetooth, sensors and apps to provide remote access and monitoring.

Market Trends
1. Growing demand for powered wheelchairs - Powered wheelchairs provide better mobility assistance compared to manual wheelchairs. The demand for powered wheelchairs integrated with lithium-ion batteries and supportive seating is growing owing to convenience.
2. Adoption of connectivity features - Leading manufacturers are integrating connectivity features like Bluetooth, sensors and apps to enable remote monitoring of patients and access diagnostic readings. This trend is expected to accelerate over the forecast period.

Market Opportunities
1. Emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Latin America - The availability of affordable electric wheelchairs and growth of medical device industry in developing countries will drive market opportunities in these regions.
2. Home healthcare market growth - As more patients prefer home care over institutional facilities, the demand for supportive home healthcare devices like electric wheelchairs is expected to rise significantly.

Impact of COVID-19 on Electric Wheelchair Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the growth of the electric wheelchair market. During the initial lockdown phases across countries, production units were shut down temporarily which disrupted the supply chain and manufacturing operations. This led to a shortage of products in the market and delay in shipments to customers. However, with time, as businesses gradually re-opened with necessary safety protocols, production and shipments resumed but at lower capacities.

Geographical regions with highest concentration of electric wheelchair market in terms of value include North America, Western Europe and Asia Pacific. This can be attributed to factors like growing geriatric populations, rising incidence of mobility impairments, availability of favorable reimbursement policies and greater acceptance of assistive technologies. Within these major regions, the US and Germany currently have the largest electric wheelchair markets.

Asia Pacific region is poised to be the fastest growing market for electric wheelchairs globally over the forecast period. This is owing to increasing health awareness, government focus on assistive products accessibility, rising incomes, growing prevalence of lifestyle diseases and expansion of medical infrastructure in nations like China, India and Japan. A large consumer base and rapid economic development further strengthen the growth prospects of the electric wheelchair market in Asia Pacific region.