E-Bike Purchase Incentives

Advocating for California E-Bike Incentives

Helping more Californians use bicycling as an alternative to driving.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Status of the CA E-Bike Incentive Program

Updated May 7, 2024.

The California Air Resources Board says it will announce a launch date for the statewide E-Bike Incentives Project in May of 2024, and the first application window will be before the end of June 2024. The program is slated to roll out in a series of application windows, rather than distributing all the vouchers at once. CARB plans to accept only 2,500 applications during each window.

To qualify, you must earn less than 300% of the 2024 federal poverty level, be over 18, and live in California. For more details about the California program, see our FAQs below or visit the program website: ebikeincentives.org.

More e-bike resources.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Sign the petition to fund California’s e-bike affordability program:

Dear California Assembly Members, Senators, and Governor Newsom:

California provides rebates of up to $7,000 for people who buy electric cars, but there is no statewide program to help residents purchase the cleanest EV of all: an e-bike.

I support a $10 million allocation to provide grants to help people buy e-bikes. I want a program that prioritizes low-income Californians and supports local bike shops. Please vote yes on AB 117, and please fund the program in the 2021-22 budget.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is responsible for the statewide e-bike incentive program, administered by Pedal Ahead. Here are the program basics:

The incentives program will launch in 2024. Applications will be first-come, first-served, but $5 million of the program budget will be reserved for people in the highest needs categories. Vouchers will be released in batches, during pre-announced application windows.
To qualify for the incentive program, participants’ household income is capped at 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL), with special priority given to those under 225% FPL or living in a disadvantaged community. You must be a California resident and at least 18 years old. There is no cap on the number of vouchers per household.
Qualifying applicants will get a voucher of up to $1,750 for a standard, cargo, or adaptive e-bike. People whose income is under 225% FPL or who live in disadvantaged (DAC) census tracts qualify for additional incentives of up to $250, for a total of $2,000.
The program will support the purchase of Class 1 (up to 20 mph, pedal assist only) and Class 2 (up to 20 mph, pedal assist and throttle) e-bikes and Class 3 (up to 28 mph, pedal assist only). Only electric bikes in these classifications will qualify.
Participants must purchase a bike from a California bike shop or online from a company with a business location in California.

CARB estimates that the $31 million budget of the pilot project will fund approximately 15,000 e-bike vouchers, but demand is likely to be much higher.

The electric bike is the cleanest electric vehicle and the one that most efficiently reduces GHG emissions.

Donate to Support CalBike’s E-Bike Affordability Campaign

WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR

$50 Million for E-Bikes

Electric assist makes bicycling accessible to more people, especially seniors, people with disabilities, people who need to transport children, and those with long commutes. And e-bikes have been proven to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), helping California meet its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow the pace of climate change.

CalBike thinks e-bikes deserve the same incentives as electric cars. E-bikes use less energy than EVs and biking can replace many car trips, since most are under 3 miles.

We will continue to advocate for more funding for statewide e-bike incentives in future budgets.

Join the e-bike list

WHY IT MATTERS

6 more reasons to make E-Bikes accessible for all Californians:

Reduce Emissions

California’s current strategies are not effectively reducing greenhouse gases in the transportation sector. A large increase in e-bike use could replace enough car trips to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Make E-Bikes Affordable

The price of an electric bike is out of reach for many Californians. The purchase incentives in AB 117 will give people who couldn’t otherwise afford an e-bike the financial support they need.

Low-cost Maintenance

E-bikes cost pennies to charge. They are one of the most efficient, convenient, and cheap-to-operate forms of transportation. E-bikes will save families money.

Get More People on Bikes

E-bikes allow people who couldn’t otherwise ride to get out on a bike. An electric motor lets you carry heavy loads and passengers you might not be able to manage under your own power.

Improve Public Health

Bike riding reduces health care costs, improves air quality, and provides excellent exercise. E-bikes replace smog-spewing car trips and allow people to realize the health benefits of bikes.