Inside Electric Lifts

Electric lifts are the best way to transport your mobility scooter or powerchair. They are safe and reliable for both your aid and yourself. Inside electric lifts are a type of lift that is installed and mounted on the inside of the vehicle. Electric lifts generally protect your mobility aid from the outside elements in transport and can keep your device safer, but inside lifts take up more space inside the vehicle, so you might lose your trunk space, cargo space, or passenger space.

Types of Inside Electric Lifts

There are two types of inside electric lifts. This is how your scooter or chair will be secured for lifting and how it's lifted into the vehicle.

Platform

The platform inside electric lift is where your mobility aid is rolled onto a platform. The platform then lifts your device into place.

Boom/Hoist

A hoist or boom lift is when the boom (a motorized arm/hoist) swings out, attaches to the mobility device with a strap or docking system, and then lifts it up and into the vehicle's cargo area.

Features of an Inside Electric Lift

The features of an inside electric lift are what make it safe, reliable, and easy to use.

Fully Powered Operation

Inside electric lifts are fully powered operated. All the lift's movements are motorized and controlled with the push of a button. That means you don't need to do any form of lifting. The lift raises, lowers, and places your mobility aid into place. All you need to do is secure your scooter or chair. The lift does the rest.

Secure Handling

The inside lifts come with secure handling, whether it be docking adapters, straps, or brackets. This means you don't need to supply your own straps and ratchets. The secure handling is made to hold your mobility device.

Vehicle Battery–Powered

Inside electric lifts use the vehicle's battery power. That means you only have one battery to deal with. Vehicle battery-powered lifts are reliable and convenient, low maintenance, and are best with temperature changes.

Versatile Compatibility

The inside electric lift is compatible with many different mobility aids. Whether you use a mobility scooter, powerchair, or a manual wheelchair, as long as your device is within the weight capacity, the lift can be used.

Easy-To-Use Controllers

To operate the inside electric lifts, you'll use an easy-to-use controller. The typical buttons are generally Up / Down, In / Out, and Rotate (on boom/hoist lifts with powered rotation). The buttons are oversized and well labeled, so it's easy to see.

Weather Protected

Since inside lifts are installed inside the vehicle, that means this lift is protected from the weather. During transport, your mobility device is also protected from the outside elements. This will keep the lift and your mobility aid cleaner and working better.

How to Find the Right Inside Electric Lift

It can feel overwhelming finding the right inside electric lift, between your mobility device and the vehicle you're driving. Most inside electric lifts can be used for scooters, electric wheelchairs, or manual wheelchairs, so you'll want to think more about your vehicle, how you want to load/unload your mobility device, and where you want your lift to be installed.

Interior Scooter Lift for SUV

Many users are looking for an interior scooter lift for an SUV. If you drive an SUV, you're able to use either the boom or the platform lift. Consider the size of your SUV when searching for an interior scooter lift for an SUV in whether you should opt for the boom or platform.

Scooter Lift for Minivan

If you drive a minivan, you might be looking specifically for a scooter lift for a minivan. Because minivans have wide openings, low floors, and lots of cargo space, an inside lift is a great option. You can choose either between the boom lift or the platform lift, but many users when looking for a scooter lift for a minivan tend to favor the platform lift. Minivans typically have wide, tall hatch openings, which make them perfect for platform lifts. The scooter lift for minivan is best for heavier scooters or powerchairs, or users who want the easiest possible loading with no manual effort. Just keep in mind that the platform lift does take up more space.

Scooter Lift For Truck

Many people think that because they drive a truck, they are stuck using an outside lift. Trucks are a little trickier, as a scooter lift for trucks will technically be outside. The difference with an outside and inside scooter lift for a truck is where the lift is installed and where the scooter is transported. An inside scooter lift for the truck is installed in the bed of the truck and lifts the scooter into the truck bed. An outside lift is installed through the hitch and transported on the outside of the truck. If you're looking for an inside scooter lift for a truck, you'll want to opt for the boom lift.

Scooter Lift for Car Trunk

Looking for a scooter lift for a car trunk can feel tricky, as you're working with less space. If you need a scooter lift for trunk, you'll need to:

1. Measure the trunk opening. You need the height and width. Then you'll need to determine if your scooter can fit in the trunk whether assembled or disassembled.
2. Measure the Trunk Depth & Interior Space. You'll also need to know if your scooter will fit entirely in the trunk and how much trunk space you're working with.
3. Check the Scooter's Size & Weight. Knowing your scooter's weight will determine which scooter lift for the car trunk is strong enough to lift your device. Folding scooters often fit in trunks, while large powerchairs almost never do.
4. Lift Reach & Rotation. The boom arm needs to clear the bumper and swing the scooter in without hitting the trunk lip.
5. Vehicle Fit Guides. Make sure to check the vehicle fit guide to check compatibility.

Best Inside Electric Lift

It can be difficult to determine the absolute best inside electric lift, but there are a few that stand out. If you are looking for a reliable, strong, and durable inside electric lift, you cannot go wrong with the Harmar inside lifts. Headquartered in Florida, Harmar designs and assembles many of their lifts in the United States. Harmar inside lifts put safety first and undergo extensive testing, and are built to exceed standard load ratings. With a Harmar inside an electric lift, you're getting one of the best lift brands.

AL425 Inside Lift

The AL425 inside lift is a boom lift and is one of the lifts that really stands out. The AL425 inside lift only needs 30" of headroom required, so it's an excellent choice for smaller spaces (but also great if you have extra space as well). The AL425 inside lift has a weight capacity of 400 lbs, so it's strong enough to lift most mobility scooters and powerchairs. The AL425 inside lift is known for being the easiest to install and operate.

AL600 Inside Lift

The AL600 Inside Lift is a popular platform inside electric lift. The AL600 inside lift works by lifting your scooter or chair on a platform and then sliding it into the vehicle. The AL600 inside lift is best for SUVs or vans. With a weight capacity of 350 lbs, the AL600 can lift most devices. If yours is heavier, the AL600HD has a weight capacity of 400 lbs.

Purchasing an Inside Electric Lift from Scooter Direct

When it's time to purchase an inside electric lift, Scooter Direct is the trusted choice for quality, value, and convenience. We offer one of the largest selections online, making it easy to buy inside scooter lifts online from leading brands like Harmar. Whether you need a compact hoist for the trunk of a car or a heavy-duty platform lift for an SUV or minivan, you'll find the perfect fit here. Customers also appreciate our competitive pricing, with a wide range of mobility scooter lift for sale options that deliver excellent value without sacrificing safety or durability.

What sets Scooter Direct apart is our expert guidance. Our team helps you match the right lift to your scooter or powerchair and vehicle, ensuring compatibility before you order. Every lift comes backed by a manufacturer warranty, giving you peace of mind that your investment is protected. Plus, with fast nationwide shipping, you can get your lift delivered right to your door and start enjoying greater independence without delay.

Inside Electric Lift FAQ

Can one lift work with different scooters or powerchairs?

Many inside lifts are designed to be adjustable and can handle multiple mobility devices, but it depends on the weight and size. If you plan to switch between scooters and powerchairs, let us know and we can recommend a lift with the right compatibility.

Do I need professional installation for an inside lift?

Yes. Inside lifts require wiring into your vehicle's battery and secure mounting in the trunk or cargo area. Professional installation ensures safety, protects your vehicle, and keeps the lift under warranty.

How much space will an inside lift take up?

Boom (hoist) lifts are compact and leave much of your cargo space open when the scooter isn't loaded. Platform lifts take up more room but offer easier "drive-on" loading. The amount of usable cargo space depends on the lift style and your vehicle type.

Will an inside lift damage my vehicle?

No. When installed correctly, inside lifts are mounted to factory-approved anchor points. They're designed to be secure without harming your vehicle's structure. Plus, many can be removed later without leaving damage.

How long does it take to load or unload a scooter?

Most inside electric lifts can load or unload a scooter or powerchair in under a minute. Fully powered models are especially quick. Just press a button and let the lift do the work.

Can I still fold down or use my rear seats with an inside lift installed?

It depends on the lift style and your vehicle. Boom lifts often allow partial seat use, while platform lifts usually require the full cargo area. We can help you determine how a lift will affect your seating layout.

What happens if the power goes out?

Many lifts include a manual backup or optional battery backup system. This ensures you can always unload your scooter safely, even in the rare event of a vehicle battery issue.

Do inside lifts add a lot of weight to my car?

Inside lifts typically weigh between 40–100 lbs depending on the model. While they do add weight, most vehicles handle this easily. The bigger factor is ensuring your lift's weight capacity matches your scooter or powerchair.