Starting December 18, eligible Californians can apply for coupons of up to $2,000 to purchase an e-bike as part of a new state incentive program.
The California Electric Bike Incentive Program was launched by the California Air Resources Board to help lower cost barriers to transportation with the goal of replacing car travel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Unlike rebates and tax credits for electric vehicles, applicants do not have to purchase an e-bike first to receive the incentive. This coupon provides a discount on the purchase of an electric bike.
According to the Institute for Transport and Development Policy, e-bikes can be a suitable alternative to car travel because they can “cover longer distances with less effort” than traditional pedal bikes.
Last year, researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado found that e-bikes are filling an unmet transportation need for people who don’t own cars. E-bike riders who have access to their own vehicles prefer e-bikes because they are more convenient for traveling distances of one to four miles.
The researchers also found that the benefits of e-bikes include charging and maintenance costs that are a fraction of the costs associated with cars. E-bike users also enjoy the benefits of healthy physical activity, free parking and knowing they are helping to reduce traffic.
Steven Cliff, executive director of the California Air Resources Board, said in a statement that electric bicycles are a mode of transportation that people use every day and can also improve air quality.
“Prioritizing equity and access is key as we work towards our zero-emissions goals, and this incentive program will support those efforts by helping e-bikes become part of the solution,” Cliff said.
The program started with $3 million in funding and aims to provide vouchers to purchase 1,500 e-bikes. It’s unclear whether the state will add more funding once the program runs out of vouchers.
The program will accept applications starting at 6 p.m. on December 18 at ebikeincentives.org.
Who is eligible for the program?
Applicants must be California residents who are 18 years of age or older and whose annual household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. That means a household must earn no more than $45,000 a year, and a household of two must earn no more than $61,000 a year to qualify.
Applicants with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty level will receive priority on the application list. That means income must not exceed $33,000 for a single-family household and $45,000 for a two-person household to qualify for priority.
How to use coupons?
After submitting the application online and meeting all eligibility requirements, applicants will receive an approval notification with a voucher via email.
Coupons can be redeemed at participating retailers, which include 131 retailers in Los Angeles and Orange counties. For a detailed listing, including retailer contact information, visit the project’s online retailer map.
