Wheelchairs are of two types: manual and powered. Powered wheelchairs covered in the report refer to wheelchairs that have electronic controls fitted to the chair that help the user for movement. The global powered wheelchair market is estimated to grow with a CAGR of XX% in terms of revenue. The market is anticipated to grow to $ XX million by 2027. The base year considered for the study is 2018 and the estimated period is between 2019 and 2027.

The rise in the incidence of disabilities and accidents has created a market for powered wheelchairs. According to the WHO, about 15% of the global population suffered from some form of disability in 2011, of which about 2-4% of the population is functionally dependent on caregivers. The increase in disabilities is due to the increase in the elderly population and the number of chronic diseases. Hospitals and healthcare facilities use electric wheelchairs to improve the welfare of patients and healthcare workers. Electric wheelchairs help to safely and comfortably transfer patients from one location to another. Thus, the increase in the number of accidents is expected to boost the growth of the powered wheelchair market in the near future.

The front-wheel drive chairs segment shows promising trends. A front wheel drive-powered wheelchair is quite stable and provides a tight turning radius. They are mainly used for indoor purposes. In addition, the seating system designed in these power wheelchairs effectively supports the clinical, functional and lifestyle needs of the active users, which further drives the market growth.

The high cost of these wheelchairs acts as a major restraining factor for the market. Powered wheelchairs are high in cost due to the use of specialized and automated controls. The need for using high-quality materials for manufacturing the final product increases the cost of the equipment. Moreover, the procurement of these equipment by hospitals, consumers and healthcare facilities is a challenge, owing to factors such as budgetary restrictions, disposable income and non-availability of funding from government agencies. The market growth is expected to be affected due to the high initial costs of the equipment.

The report on the global powered wheelchair includes segmentation based on product type and region.

Market by Product Type

• Center-wheel drive
• Front-wheel drive
• Standing electric wheelchair
• Rear-wheel drive
• Others

Geographically, the global powered wheelchair market has been segmented on the basis of four major regions, which include:

• North America: United States & Canada
• Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, Italy & Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific: China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea & Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Rest of World: Latin America, Middle East & Africa

North America is an important market for powered wheelchairs. A large number of companies operating in the electric wheelchair market have their headquarters in this region. The market in North America has surged owing to the increase in the aged population. The region witnessed a significant increase in revenue due to the continued acceptance of technologically-advanced products and the replacement market. In addition, the premiumization of electric wheelchairs has led to the increased adoption of powered wheelchairs in the North American market.

The major market players in the global powered market include:

• Ottobock Healthcare GmbH
• Permobil AB
• Karman Healthcare
• GF Health Products, Inc.
• LEVO AG
• Others

The company profiles cover the analysis of important market players. These companies are using organic and inorganic strategies for growth. For instance, in April 2017, GF Health Products, Inc. introduced a new product in its bed care series. In 2016, MEYRA acquired the rehabilitation technology company Richter Reha Technik, located in Thurnau. In August 2016, Permobil took over the operations of Advanced Health Care.