I have very briefly test ridden a Raleigh e-bike with 20" wheels and enjoyed it. It felt easier to control than the 700c 'dutch' e-bikes alongside it. This was probably because the small wheeler had a MTB style flat bar whereas the 700c beasts had swept back bars which put very little weight over the front wheel. I liked the simplicity of the e-assist unit on the Raleigh too. This was last year when CyclingUK was promoting its e-bike trial scheme. I noticed that practically all of the entry level large wheel models in the scheme were designed as Dutch bikes, which I probably wouldn't get on with because I'm used to a road bike with drop bars.
Based on my experience riding my Dahon small-wheeler, I'd expect any small wheeler to give a lively ride, meaning responsive steering but possibly harsh over potholes or similar bumps. There's a need to 'post' over bumps, which can be challenging in wet or icy conditions. So I'm not sure I'd want small wheels for an everyday commute. However I like using 20" wheels on occasions when I need to carry bulky cargo: all that space above the rear rack.
If I were buying for myself I'd probably choose one of the Yuba cargo bikes. Perhaps a 24" wheeler:
https://yubabikes.com/cargobikestore/kombi/Still, if I were asked to recommend a 'car replacement' e-bike, I would instead encourage the would-be-cyclist to borrow an e-bike on a hire scheme of some kind, or at least to travel to a shop and spend a long time trying e-bikes in the car park before deciding. They vary hugely so there is no advice better than personal experience, and everyone has their preferences.
It annoys me that bike reviews rarely describe ride quality in a meaningful way, nor do they state what the reviewer normally rides (and therefore what they're comparing it to).
