e-bike vouchers Archives

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E-Bike Work Group Report Back: April 26, 2023

May 12, 2023/by Laura McCamy

On April 26, 2023, CARB held another well-attended work group meeting to gather feedback on the details of its Electric Bicycle Incentive Project. One of the major takeaways is that the statewide program launch is pushed back yet again: Most Californians won’t be able to apply for a voucher until at least the third quarter of 2023.

Here’s what else we learned at the meeting. We’ve included the video and presentation below, in case you want to learn more.

New details about program implementation

As it has throughout the process, CARB has taken feedback from prior work groups and revised the program based on stakeholder input. For example, recipients can now use part of their incentives to purchase safety gear. The only gear listed was helmets, and CARB specifically excluded lights, reflective gear, and racks. The program requires eligible bikes to come with lights (most e-bikes have built-in lights), so that makes sense. However, based on feedback, we’re hopeful that cargo racks will also be an allowed expense. CalBike would like to see locks included, since a secure lock for an e-bike can be costly.

Participants will have 30 days to purchase a bike and redeem their vouchers and may ask for a one-time extension if they need more time. CalBike is advocating for extending that 30-day window, since researching and buying an e-bike is often a lengthy process.

Vouchers will be limited to one per person, but there is no household limit. Participants will be required to own the bike for at least one year.

Here are some of the other details we learned.

What do we know about the e-bike incentive application process?

We still don’t have all the details about the application process. CARB promises that a guide will be available online ahead of program launch so people interested in participating will have time to prepare.

CARB did share an outline of the application process as they envision it currently. Applicants would submit proof of income and residency, choose the bike they want to buy, take a 90-minute online bike safety and environmental class, then find out if they qualify for a voucher.

CalBike strongly objects to the process as currently outlined, and we have sent a letter to CARB detailing our recommendations. Our concerns include:

It will be hard to choose a bike without confirmation of the voucher amount because the person won’t know how much money they will need to come up with to complete the purchase.
While CalBike supports e-bike safety education and is excited for the resource being developed as part of this program, we feel that education should be a resource, and that any requirement of a lengthy class may serve as a barrier to many trying to access the incentives. We particularly object to requiring participants to sit through any content that isn’t directly related to safe operation and storage of an e-bike.
Requiring two extra steps before applications are vetted will further disadvantage applicants with the least time and/or access to a computer.
Because many Californians are more comfortable in a language other than English and those languages are diverse, an education component will inevitably exclude many potential participants. For comparison, the US Census is conducted in 12 languages in California.

We plan to meet with CARB to discuss these issues, and we’re hopeful that advocacy and lessons from the soft launch will lead to a better application process.

June soft launch

The first phase of the program will be a soft launch in June. With a budget of $300,000, the soft launch will provide 20-40 incentives to applicants in each of four communities that have been historically underserved by CARB programs:

Barrio Logan, San Diego
Fresno
Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco
California Native Tribal Governments

The soft launch will allow CARB and the administrator to test systems and get feedback on what works and doesn’t work before opening the program statewide.

When will the statewide program launch?

We don’t know exactly when California’s incentives will become available. However, we have heard that the soft launch is expected to take at least two months. Expect a full launch sometime in the fall, after CARB and the administrator have worked out glitches in the application process.

We realize this program has taken an excruciatingly long time to come online. Another reality check: Demand may far exceed the number of incentives available. If you’d like help to purchase an e-bike, check out this list of local programs.

Is anyone already in line to receive an e-bike voucher?

Several people who spoke at the April meeting shared that they had submitted an application for an e-bike voucher last year and wanted to know if they were in line for an incentive. CARB clarified that no one is in line for a voucher yet. Everyone will need to apply once the window opens, later this year.

We don’t know if there will be another work group before the soft launch in June or before the statewide program launch. If you sign up for our email list, we’ll let you know about future meetings and any other information on the status of the program and the application process.

CARB Presentation

E-Bike Purchase Incentives FAQs

May 4, 2023/by Laura McCamy

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the e-bike purchase incentive project that CalBike helped pass and that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is implementing. It’s an exciting program, and information hasn’t always been easy to come by. So we’ve compiled some of the most common questions from people who want to get a voucher, bike retailers who want to participate in the program, and others.

Pedal Ahead, the administrator CARB chose for this program, has published its own FAQs, which contain some additional information. Please note: Some of the information in the Pedal Ahead FAQs doesn’t agree with the information we have about the program. We have been told by CARB that some of the elements referenced in their FAQs are still under discussion. We will update our FAQs as we get additional information.

The answers below are based on what we know now, as the e-bike program is still in its development phase. We plan to update them as more information becomes available.

Note: This post was originally written October 19, 2022, and last updated May 4, 2023.

TL;DR version:

No, you can’t apply for an e-bike incentive yet. The program is expected to launch statewide in the second half of 2023 and applications will open then. We will announce the launch date as far in advance as we can.
The pilot program is limited to Californians living at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.
The voucher amount will likely be $1,000, with an extra $750 for a cargo or adaptive bike, and $250 additional for people below 225% FPL or living in a disadvantaged census tract.
Incentives are limited to one per person. There is no limit per household.
There are many local e-bike incentive programs. Visit our e-bike page for a full list.

What is California’s Electric Bicycle Incentives Project?

The Electric Bicycle Incentives Project is a $10 million program to provide vouchers to California residents to help them afford an e-bike. CalBike advocated for the budget allocation, which passed in 2021 and funds the pilot project.

The project will distribute $7.5 million in incentives, with $5 million reserved for high-priority applicants (those at or below 225% of the poverty line or living in a disadvantaged or polluted community.)

CARB has an additional $3 million in funding that will go to fund additional vouchers.

Can I get an e-bike voucher from CalBike?

No.

CalBike is not administering the e-bike incentives program. Our role is one of advocacy. We advocated for the creation of this purchase incentive, and we will continue to push for an expanded budget to support the program. CalBike also shares critical information about the program via our e-bike newsletter, and we help our member’s voices be heard so that the program better serves the people who need it most. CalBike does not process or distribute incentives.

CARB will manage the incentive distribution process through its third-party administrator starting in 2023. We will share information about how to apply once it’s available, but CalBike won’t be involved in processing applications or awarding e-bike incentive vouchers.

Is California’s statewide program an expansion of the San Diego e-bike program?

No. Some press reports stated that California’s statewide purchase incentive was an expansion of a similar program in San Diego. This is incorrect.

CARB chose Pedal Ahead, an organization that runs an e-bike program in San Diego, to administer the statewide program. However, the CARB purchase incentives pilot will have rules and parameters determined by CARB in conjunction with input from advocates and the public. The statewide program is separate from and different from the San Diego program.

When can I apply for a California e-bike incentive?

Not yet.

As of this writing, the California statewide e-bike program is most likely to launch in August or September 2023, but the date is not fixed.

You can’t apply in advance. However, if you sign up for CalBike’s e-bike mailing list below, we’ll let you know when the application window will open as soon as we get the date.

I already applied for an e-bike incentive. Am I in line? When will I get it?

At the April work group for the statewide program, several people stated that they had already applied for it. However, applications haven’t opened up yet. Even if you believe you applied for this incentive in the past, you will have to apply again once the application portal launches. Unfortunately, you aren’t in line for the statewide incentive (no one is yet).

Note: Signing up for CalBike’s list is a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest e-bike incentive news, but it is not an application for an incentive. That is a completely separate process in which you will need to prove income eligibility.

Can I get a rebate on an e-bike I already purchased?

No.

The Electric Bicycle Incentives Project is not a rebate program. You need to apply and get approved before you purchase a bike in order to use the incentive.

If you recently bought an e-bike, you might qualify for a rebate from a local program such as 511ContraCosta. Check the list on our e-bike page and ask your local utility about rebates. In addition, if the E-BIKE Act passes congress, you might be eligible for a federal tax credit.

How do I apply for a voucher from California’s statewide e-bike incentives program?

The program administrator will set up an application process, and you will almost certainly be able to apply for the program online.

To apply, you’ll need documentation to prove that you meet the income qualifications. We’ll know more about the application process closer to the launch date.

What are the requirements to apply for an e-bike incentive?

You will have to prove income eligibility and California residency. We expect more information on specific documentation to be available soon.

Other requirements:

Purchase the bike within 30 days of incentive award (CalBike has asked CARB to extend this to 90 days)
Own the bike for one year
Take a 90-minute bike safety education class online (CalBike has asked CARB to make this optional rather than a requirement)

How can I get assistance to buy an e-bike in California?

The Electric Bicycle Incentives Project will be California’s first statewide e-bike voucher program. However, there are many regional and local programs where you might be able to get funding to help you buy an e-bike now.

SB 400, which CalBike helped pass in 2019, added an e-bike benefit to the Clean Cars for All program, which aims to take polluting cars off the road. If you have a qualifying car to turn in, incentives can be as high as $9,500, and you can use the funds to buy e-bikes and bike accessories for multiple family members. However, this program is administered by regional air quality management districts, and not all districts have added the e-bike benefit. We spoke to people who got this voucher in the Bay Area and Southern California to give you an idea of the process. Find out more details about the Bay Area program on this handy reference page.

In addition, there are numerous local programs through nonprofit organizations, utilities, and other entities. You can find many California programs on this list of global e-bike incentive programs.

How long does it take to get an e-bike incentive?

We don’t know how long the application process will take through the statewide program, but it will involve income verification and then finding an eligible bike vendor, so plan on at least a few weeks (and possibly longer) from when you apply.

For the Clean Cars program, the people we interviewed waited quite a few months to get through paperwork and approvals. For local programs, inquire directly about the timing.

Bottom line: If you need an e-bike ASAP, you might not want to wait to get a voucher.

Who will qualify for the California e-bike incentive program?

Eligibility for the pilot program will be limited to people whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level. That means the income caps (based on 2022 FPL guidelines; the 2023 numbers will be posted by 1/20/23) would be:

Individual: $40,770
Family of 2: $54,930
Family of 3: $69,090
Family of 4: $83,250
Family of 5: $97,410

CARB originally proposed income limits of 400% FPL but lowered the limits to align with eligibility requirements for other clean vehicle programs.

How much will the California e-bike incentives be?

The basic incentive will be $1,000. The program will offer an additional $750 for people buying a cargo or adaptive bike and another $250 for people living below 225% of the federal poverty level or living in a disadvantaged community.

What kinds of bikes qualify for incentives?

You can use the incentive to buy any type of e-bike, including a folding bike, cargo bike, or adaptive bike. All three classes of e-bikes will be eligible for the program. However, you will need to purchase from a list of approved e-bike models.

E-bikes are grouped into three classes:

Class 1: pedal assist only, 20 mph speed limited — will qualify for the program
Class 2: pedal assist or throttle, 20 mph speed limited — will qualify for the program
Class 3: pedal assist only, 28 mph speed limited, helmets required, must be 16 or older to operate — likely to qualify for the program

Note: Only bicycles that include pedals, fall into one of these three classifications, and are offered by an approved retailer qualify for the incentive program. Other forms of electric mobility, such as scooters and mopeds, are not included.

What qualifies as an adaptive bike?

CARB wants to keep the definition of adaptive bike as inclusive as possible. The category will most likely include tricycles and bikes modified for people with disabilities.

Can I use an e-bike incentive to buy a conversion kit?

There are numerous conversion kits on the market that allow you to add aftermarket electric power to a standard bike frame. At the moment, conversion kits are not part of the proposed eligible purchases. The EV program for cars doesn’t cover conversions, and CARB has let CalBike know that, to stay consistent, conversion kits probably won’t be eligible for vouchers through the e-bike incentives program.

Can I buy bike accessories to go with my bike?

Yes. If you are awarded an incentive through the California program and your bike purchase, including sales tax, is less than the amount of your voucher, you can buy gear for your ride with the remaining balance. At the moment, the only allowed purchases are helmets and other unspecified “safety gear.” CARB has stated that it specifically won’t fund the purchase of reflective clothing or bike cargo racks, but we hope that policy shifts, based on public comment. We also hope that locks will be included in the allowed purchase items.

Why can’t I get an incentive to buy a non-electric bike?

Excellent question. The current program covers only electric bike purchases, not standard or classic bikes. Electric bikes tend to be significantly more expensive than classic bikes, so a purchase incentive may be the only way for many people to afford one. In addition, many people who don’t feel comfortable riding a standard bike because of age, health issues, the need to carry passengers or cargo, etc., may replace car trips with bike trips on an electric bike.

However, the classic bicycle is incredibly energy-efficient and elegant transportation, and some places do offer incentives to help residents buy non-motorized bicycles. For example, the French government is offering 400 Euros to citizens who trade their cars for a bike or e-bike. CalBike would love to see a program like this in California and we will continue to explore ways to encourage more people to choose the joy of riding a bike.

Where can I buy an e-bike with a CARB incentive?

The program administrator will provide a list of qualifying bike retailers. You can buy from a bike shop or order an e-bike online.

How do I purchase a bike with an incentive?

The statewide incentive will be a point-of-sale benefit. Once you pick out a bike from a qualifying retailer, the incentive amount will be applied when you make the purchase. You don’t have to put out that money up front and get reimbursed.

I’m an e-bike retailer. How can I participate in the program?

The administrator will set up a process for e-bike retailers who want to accept e-bike incentive vouchers to apply to participate. Qualifying retailers need to have some kind of physical presence in California (a shop, office, or manufacturing facility), even if you sell your bikes exclusively online. You may need to supply parts to local retailers so participants can have access to repairs and service.

The process for retailers to join the program has not been set yet. Sign up for our e-bike interest list below, and we’ll share information about retailer participation when it becomes available.

How can I help shape California’s statewide incentives program?

CARB has been holding work group meetings to take input on the program. Sign up for CARB’s e-bike email list to get notified of the next work group meeting later this fall. We also send advance notice of work group meetings through the CalBike list.

To send comments on the program directly, email CleanTransportationIncentives@arb.ca.gov.

How do I get more information about the e-bike incentive program?

Have we mentioned that CalBike has an e-bike incentives interest list? Use the form below to add your name, and we’ll send periodic updates as we get more information, including letting you know when you can apply.

You can also sign up for CARB’s e-bike email list to get information directly from CARB.

Federal E-Bike Rebate Back on the Table

March 21, 2023/by Laura McCamy

Electric cars are eligible for a federal tax rebate, but electric bikes are not. A federal e-bike rebate provision didn’t make it into the final version of the climate and infrastructure bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. But Congressman Jimmy Panetta, who represents District 19 along California’s central coast, today introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act.

The E-BIKE Act would provide a refundable federal income tax rebate of up to 30% of the cost of buying an e-bike, capped at $1,500. The rebate would be available to people earning up to $150,000 for single people, up to $300,000 for a two-person household. Because it’s a refundable tax credit, people who owe less in tax than the amount of the incentive will get a check for the difference and income-qualified applicants may be able to take the rebate as a point of sale discount.

CalBike strongly supports this legislation, as do many of our allies, including the League of American Bicyclists, which has long advocated for a measure like this. “The League knows life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes, and we know e-bikes make biking a more accessible and easier option for more Americans,” said Bill Nesper, the League’s executive director. “We’re encouraged by congressional leadership on the E-BIKE Act, a bill that, if passed, will enable Americans to fight climate change and improve public health through the simple act of bicycling.”

Use the League’s action tool to email your representatives and tell them to support the E-BIKE Act.

“E-bikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help reduce our carbon emissions,” said Congressman Panetta. “My legislation will make it easier for more people from all socio-economic levels to own e-bikes and contribute to cutting our carbon output. By incentivizing the use of electric bicycles to replace car trips through a consumer tax credit, we can not only encourage more Americans to transition to greener modes of transportation but also help fight the climate crisis.”

CalBike’s policy director, Jared Sanchez, said, “The route the E-BIKE Act takes to encourage bike ridership and reducing carbon emissions is different from the program we helped shape in California, but the goals are the same. An income tax rebate will help many more Americans choose this healthy, economical mode of transportation.”

CalBike focuses most of our efforts on advocacy within California, but we’ll be supporting our national partners in helping to get this critical bill through Congress. We’ll let you know about opportunities to reach out to representatives and senators to support a federal rebate for e-bike purchases.

ActiveSGV Pioneers New Model for E-Bike Program

February 17, 2023/by Laura McCamy

Based in the San Gabriel Valley, local advocacy partner ActiveSGV has operated a unique e-bike program, GoSGV since the summer of 2022 and is rolling out new options in 2023.

Unlike many local e-bike programs, GoSGV doesn’t give subsidies for an e-bike purchase and, unlike San Diego’s Pe d al Ahead program, it doesn’t require users to log miles or ride a certain distance. We spoke with Jazmin Joyce, Special Programs Specialist with ActiveSGV, about how the program works and why its innovative approach could be a model for other local e-bike programs.

Small group, big plans

Started as a Facebook group a little more than a decade ago, ActiveSGV isn’t a big organization, but the savvy of its staff, board, and volunteers, and its willingness to take risks on innovative programs, have made it stand out. Its first e-bike program, launched in 2016, gave San Gabriel Valley residents $750 toward an e-bike purchase, and it was one of the first such programs in the U.S.

“What we do really well is partnerships,” Joyce says. The group looks for funding opportunities and tries to understand the needs of the community, then works to meet those needs. In the San Gabriel Valley, the bus system is spotty (especially since COVID), there aren’t a lot of accessible bike lanes, and cost is a barrier to riding a bicycle, especially an e-bike. “Transportation is a big barrier. We hear that all the time,” she says.

ActiveSGV decided to create an e-bike program because “people need to get to places that are far away,” Joyce says. “The e-bike is offering that opportunity to not just make it a recreational ride — to make it a useful ride.” With the region’s hilly terrain and hot summers, e-bikes are a natural fit for the group.

Share-to-own e-bikes

However, making e-bikes accessible is a big lift for a small group. So, while GoSGV has relied on grant funding to get started, it hopes that its unusual approach will make the program self-sustaining eventually.

Starting in 2018, GoSGV allowed people to try out bikes. It was originally operated by a private micromobility company. When private operators folded due to the pandemic, ActiveSGV stepped in to run it, with a vision for a program more suited to the needs of the region than docked, short-term rentals.

Under ActiveSGV’s stewardship, GoSGV rents e-bikes by the month, with reduced rates for low-income folks. The program offers a commuter bike and a bakfiets-style cargo bike with a basket in the front. The cargo bikes have been particularly popular, with people using them to take kids to school.

Since its relaunch in August 2022, the program has distributed over 200 bikes, and 23% of users have kept their bikes since the start of the program.

GoSGV gives people a low-cost way to try out life on an e-bike and figure out if it’s a good fit for them. “People really enjoyed the exposure to the e-bike, and they want to buy a bike for themselves because they enjoyed it,” Joyce says. At least five members have bought an e-bike as a result of their experience with the rental bike.

GoSGV also offers test-ride events to raise awareness about the program and give people a chance to try it out before committing to a monthly rental. “We’re able to connect with the community in a different way about bikes,” she says. The team hosts group bike rides, provides guidance and tips on safe riding and storage for new renters, and tries to respond to user questions quickly.

The program recently added a new twist: If a user rents a bike for 36 months, they can keep it as their own. At that point, the rental fees will have covered the purchase price of the bike, with the rider getting to pay for the purchase in small increments while having use of the e-bike.

A self-sustaining model for e-bike access

The funding to buy the e-bikes came through an ATP grant to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. At present, operational costs are covered by rental fees, donations, and grants, but Joyce believes the GoSGV model can become self-sustaining.

The group plans to expand the program to local university campuses and also hopes to expand its bike fleet, especially the cargo bikes, which are in such high demand that they are limited to a two-month rental.

“We want to create access and exposure to these types of bikes,” Joyce says. Many people hadn’t thought about buying an e-bike before. ActiveSGV builds bike culture, one bike at a time, through its GoSGV program.

How to apply for the program:

San Gabriel Valley residents can apply by submitting an application at GoSGV.com. Once you’re approved for the program, you can schedule a time to pick up your bike or have it delivered for a $45 delivery fee.

Electric Bicycle Incentive Work Group Meeting Report: 1/31/23

February 17, 2023/by Laura McCamy

The meeting of the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Electric Bicycle Incentives Project work group on January 31, 2023, provided more information about program parameters and a robust discussion of details still being formulated. Here’s what you need to know.

California’s statewide e-bike program begins to take shape

Over the past few work group meetings, with excellent input from the public (including many of you), CARB has settled on these parameters for the e-bike incentive program:

To qualify, participants can make no more than 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
The base incentive will be $1,000.
Participants can get an additional $750 toward the purchase of a cargo bike or adaptive bike.
People whose income is below 225% of FPL or who live in a disadvantaged community can qualify for an additional $250, so the maximum incentive amount is $2,000.
Incentives can be applied toward sales tax, as well as the purchase price.
Incentives will be applied at the point of sale.
All three classes of e-bikes can qualify for incentives.
Used bikes will not be eligible.
Incentives can be used to buy e-bikes from local bike shops or online retailers with a business location in California.
Adaptive bikes can include tricycles. CARB plans to keep the definition of adaptive e-bikes as broad as possible.

The incentives will be first-come-first-served but with a hybrid model that reserves at least 50% of funding for priority applicants (those under 225% FPL or living in disadvantaged communities).

We also learned that the launch date, scheduled for Q1 of 2023, will be delayed until the second quarter, so look for the application window to open in April or later (no date set yet).

There will be another work group meeting, probably in March. We will give you more specific information about launch dates as soon as we have it.

CARB presentation

E-bike options still to be determined

The work group participants had a lot to say about the quality of e-bikes. Some are concerned that, if they buy one of the least expensive models available, the bike might break down, it might be hard to get parts to service it, and there might be an increased chance of battery fires. Several people expressed concerns about risks from improperly charging batteries.

CARB indicated an openness to allowing participants to use a portion of their incentives for gear such as helmets and locks, if the cost of the bike is less than the full incentive amount. Also, after discussion at the prior work group, the agency proposed requiring a minimum one-year warranty on electrical parts. The previous proposal had been two years, which would have disqualified some of the more affordable makes of e-bikes.

A CARB proposal that eligible bikes come with front and rear lights installed was not controversial. But requiring bikes to be assembled by the manufacturer at the manufacturer’s expense was hotly debated. Assembly is standard when buying bikes through a local retailer, but many e-bikes ordered online come with some assembly required. The program needs to balance the concern that people might get a bike they aren’t able to assemble against the need to include online retailers in the program and the fact that some communities don’t have a nearby bike shop.

People at the meeting expressed concern about education and training for participants, which will be discussed at a future work group. Other possible program parameters include priority for applicants with disabilities and a follow-up program to provide repair services to keep the bikes in good working condition.

As always, CalBike will continue to follow the development of this program and give you all the latest information. If you’re not already on our e-bike mailing list, you can sign up below.

Local E-Bike Incentives Provide More Options for Californians

January 17, 2023/by Laura McCamy

The rollout of California’s statewide e-bike incentive program is getting closer, but it’s still a few months away. If you’d like to buy an e-bike and need help to make your purchase, many local programs currently provide incentives, and new ones may come online soon.

We spoke with managers from two Bay Area agencies about the programs they administer. Peninsula Clean Energy (PCE) and 511 Contra Costa (511CC) have very different programs, and both have done follow-up surveys with participants, providing valuable insights about the successes and challenges of e-bike incentives.

Peninsula Clean Energy: Income-qualified e-bike vouchers

PCE started its E-Bikes for Everyone program in 2021 because “our end goal is zero transportation emissions by 2035,” according to Programs Manager Phillip Kobernick. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, so he says PCE saw “potentially a lot of VMT reduction potential” in its e-bike voucher program.

In 2021, PCE offered $800 vouchers to residents in its service area (San Mateo County) with income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. “It’s the most popular program we ever launched,” Kobernick says. The program had a $250,000 budget to provide 300 vouchers, and they were all claimed within four days after launch.

In 2022, PCE increased the rebate amount to $1,000, did more targeted outreach to slow the process, and gave out 239 vouchers.

Like the upcoming statewide incentive program, the PCE incentive is a point-of-sale voucher. It contracts with bike shops and sends qualified customers to buy bikes there. The buyer gets a discount in the amount of the voucher, and PCE pays the difference to the shop. Participants can also buy elsewhere (about half of the people in the program chose to do that) and get reimbursed after the purchase. The incentives cover up to 80% of the purchase price, so participants must pay for the remaining 20%.

There have been some glitches in the rollout. For example, about half the people awarded vouchers didn’t use them; follow-up surveys found that the main reasons were price, availability of the desired model, and inability to do a test ride. PCE offered unused vouchers to people on the waitlist, and funds that don’t get used roll into the program budget for the following year. And they discovered a couple of instances where a grantee tried to sell their voucher rather than use it themselves.

Despite the challenges, the program is meeting its goals. “It looks like, through our surveys, we are seeing a noticeable reduction in VMTs (vehicle miles traveled),” Kobernick says. About one-third of participants now say that an e-bike is their primary mode of transportation, and he estimates that they have reduced their VMT by 10% on average. He noted that most cities would jump at a chance to implement a program delivering a VMT reduction.

The PCE program has had a budget of $547,000 over two years and will offer another round of vouchers in 2023. In 2022, El Concilio provided support for completing applications, and PCE worked with the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition to provide group rides and classes to help people feel comfortable on their bikes.

How to apply for an E-Bikes for Everyone Voucher: The program is only open for a short period each year. Check their website for 2023 program information.

511 Contra Costa: E-bike rebates without income caps

The Electric Bicycle Rebate Program 511CC offers to Contra Costa County residents differs from both the PCE and statewide incentives in several ways:

It’s an after-purchase rebate rather than an up-front incentive.
All county residents are eligible for a rebate with no income caps.
The rebate amounts are much lower: $150 standard rebate; $300 rebate for people living at or below 400% of the federal poverty level.
The funds are available throughout the year on a rolling basis rather than during a short application window.

“Part of our overall goal of 511 Contra Costa is to reduce vehicle trips,” says Kirsten Riker, Project Manager for Advanced Mobility Group, which manages transportation demand management programs for 511CC. “It’s not designed for social equity. It’s designed to get people into other modes. This is a little extra carrot.”

Riker also manages a second program, Charge Up, that offers $500 rebates. Funded by a half-cent sales tax through the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, that incentive has income caps, and only residents of specific communities within the county can qualify. If someone applies for the 511CC rebate and could qualify for the higher incentive, their application is automatically forwarded to this program.

However, the primary goal of Riker’s work is reducing VMT and carbon emissions. “When we developed the program, we knew that you could go with a much higher amount and help fewer people,” Riker says. “We took the approach that less means more.”

Since it rolled out in 2020, the 511CC program has given out $162,000 for 888 rebates, with 23% going to low-income residents. The Charge Up program has given 64 rebates since it started in 2022.

The programs do extensive surveying to determine their effectiveness, and 90% of participants have responded. That data helps ensure that the e-bike rebates are achieving their goals. It will help local and statewide agencies deliver more effective e-bike programs in the future, with a report coming soon from a UC Davis researcher. For example, the 511CC initially had a price cap of $5,000 for eligible bikes, but now every e-bike qualifies for a rebate as long as it has pedals.

“$150 isn’t going to change the world,” Riker says, but she feels it creates “e-bike ambassadors” — people excited about riding who want to tell their friends and neighbors how stoked they are about their bikes. She adds, “For a lot of people, their e-bike has changed their life.”

“I feel like there’s a tipping point. At some point, everybody’s going to buy an EV because you’re going to have to,” she says. She notes that over half the bikes at Bike to Work Day in Contra Costa County in 2022 were e-bikes. She feels like getting people to experience the joy of biking on an electric bike is a great way to get people who have never biked to ride. “We’re not going after bicyclists. We’re going after drivers,” she says.

How to get a 511CC or Charge Up e-bike rebate: Any Contra Costa County resident can get a $150 after-purchase rebate. If you live in an equity priority community within the county and meet the income qualifications, you can apply for a $500 Charge Up rebate.

Of course, there are other local e-bike purchase incentives available. If you have a qualifying car to trade in, you could get up to $7,500 from your local air quality management district. And stay tuned for more information about California’s statewide e-bike purchase incentive program.

E-Bike Incentives Report: November 30, 2022, CARB Work Group Meeting

January 9, 2023/by Laura McCamy

The California Air Resources Board held a work group meeting to continue its discussion of the parameters of the Electric Bicycle Incentives Project on November 30, 2022. Around 150 people attended the Zoom workshop, including representatives from the e-bike industry, bicycle shop owners, nonprofits who work with potential voucher recipients, bicycle coalition leaders, and members of the public interested in the program.

Here are some highlights from the meeting, plus information CalBike learned about e-bike purchase incentives after following up with CARB staff.

More funding for implementation

At the work group, CARB announced that it has another $3 million for the program in addition to the $10 million allocated by the legislature. Program staffers anticipate that the extra funding will help augment their outreach. Hopefully, the extra money will free up more of the $10 million for incentives rather than administrative expenses. CalBike applauds CARB for finding the extra funding and demonstrating that the agency understands the value of the e-bike incentive program.

Lowered income eligibility limits, more discussion of eligible bikes

CARB staff confirmed to CalBike that two parameters for the program have been finalized: the income eligibility limits and which classes of e-bikes will be eligible for incentives.

In prior presentations, CARB proposed 400% of the federal poverty limit as the income cap for e-bike incentives. However, at the last work group, staff announced that the income limit will be lower: 300% of FPL to align the eligibility requirements for the e-bike program with those of other CARB clean vehicle programs, which will be lowered to 300% FPL in 2023.

In response to overwhelming support for allowing Class 3 e-bike models to be eligible for incentives, CARB will include all three classes of e-bikes in the program. However, manufacturers will have to apply for their models to be eligible for purchase with the vouchers.

In response to concerns about maintenance, to ensure that people who receive the vouchers have support to keep their bikes in good repair, CARB proposed requiring a manufacturer’s warranty of at least two years. That would eliminate Rad Power Bikes, which makes some of the most affordable e-bikes on the market because it only offers a one-year warranty. Commenters noted that more expensive bikes tend to have longer warranties, which might put this requirement at odds with the equity goals of the program.

A quick internet search found that many e-bike manufacturers offer a five-year warranty on the frame and fork and one year on other parts. Provisions to ensure bike quality and repairability will undoubtedly get further discussion at future work group meetings.

Next steps for California’s e-bike incentive program

CARB plans to hold another work group meeting in January to continue receiving input on program parameters. If you’re not already on CARB’s list and want to be notified about this and future e-bike meetings, sign up for CARB’s e-bike list. In the past, they sent meeting notifications to everyone interested in transportation electrification, but future notices will be sent only to the e-bike-specific list.

Of course, CalBike will also let you know about future e-bike meetings. You can sign up for our list at the bottom of this post.

Meeting presentation

Video of the 11/30/2022 meeting

CARB Electric Bicycle Incentives Project Work Group Report Back: September 28, 2022

October 25, 2022/by Laura McCamy

On September 28, 2022, the California Air Resources Board held a follow-up meeting of the Electric Bicycle Incentives Project work group to continue the discussion from the August meeting on the pilot of the statewide e-bike voucher program, which will launch in 2023. Participants weighed in on what types of e-bikes should qualify, how to distribute the funds equitably, incentive amounts and more.

Like the previous meeting in August, the session was well-attended, with almost 200 participants signing on to ask questions, participate in polling, and provide feedback on aspects of the program. Thank you to everyone who came and gave input. You are helping to make this a better program!

A poll on the base amount for the incentive showed that most participants want a higher amount than the $750 proposed by CARB. However, for this session, most of the discussion focused on which e-bikes should qualify and how to ensure that the funds are distributed as equitably as possible.

Incentive amounts polling for September 2022 CARB e-bike work group meeting

Class 3 e-bikes are transportation

California breaks e-bikes into three classifications:

Class 1: speed limited to 20 mph, pedal assist only
Class 2: speed limited to 20 mph, pedal assist and throttle
Class 3: speed limited to 28 mph, pedal assist only

The same rules that apply to standard bikes apply to Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, but Class 3 e-bikes have additional restrictions: You have to be at least 16 to operate one, and riders of all ages must wear a helmet.

CARB had proposed allowing recipients to use incentives to buy only Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, but participants in the work group meeting made an excellent case for making Class 3 e-bikes eligible.

Reasons to support Class 3 e-bike purchases include:

The speed limitation is somewhat meaningless since people on non-electric bikes can and do ride faster than 20 mph.
The higher speed makes it safer for people to mix with car traffic in areas that have inadequate bike infrastructure.
The higher speed could be essential for people with longer commutes.

CARB program managers at the meeting indicated that they are open to expanding which bikes qualify and will likely include Class 3 e-bikes, based on the solid support at the work group.

Building equity into a state grant program

The work group included extensive comments and calls to distribute the $10 million in e-bike vouchers equitably. California’s experience with electric vehicle (EV) rebates, which went to buyers who were wealthier and Whiter than the average Californian in the program’s initial year, informed the discussion. EV programs for low-income buyers have failed to serve low-income Californians. Some work group participants voiced a desire to avoid those shortfalls with the e-bike incentives program, stating that equity was a paramount goal. In contrast, others noted that, if the goal is to reduce carbon emissions from car travel, recipients’ income level is less critical than how many car trips the e-bike will replace.

The program is structured with low-income recipients in mind, offering upfront vouchers rather than after-purchase rebates, which don’t help the people who need extra funds to be able to make a purchase. And CARB will limit eligibility to people earning 400% of the federal poverty level or less. However, the program is currently structured as first-come, first-served, which can give an edge to applicants with more connections and resources. Participants at the meeting expressed a strong desire to see CARB do better with the administration of this program, and there was discussion of switching to a needs-based application process.

If CARB moves to a needs-based approach, the program launch may be delayed because it will take longer to put systems into place to facilitate that process.

At CalBike, we feel that a crucial component of equity in incentive distribution is to leverage community-based organizations to help spread the word and assist their constituents in accessing and completing the application process, as well as choosing and maintaining their e-bikes. CARB currently has a CBO network through its electric vehicle incentives programs, but CalBike will work with the agency to encourage them to add bicycle-specific CBOs specifically to help with this e-bike program.

Eligible e-bike retailers

The work group discussed where incentive recipients should be able to buy e-bikes through the program. Concerns raised included ensuring that local bike shops can get parts from manufacturers to service the bikes bought through the program, even if people purchase them online.

Once the administrator is in place, it will set a process for retailers to apply to participate in the program based on criteria set by CARB. CalBike is following this discussion closely and plans to offer more resources for e-bike retailers soon.

A transparent process

At CalBike, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about the e-bike incentives program, so we created FAQs to answer some of them. We’re also engaging with CARB outside the work group meetings to encourage them to bring more transparency to the launch of the e-bike program. For more information about California’s e-bike incentives program, sign up for our e-bike interest list and view a meeting recording below.

How to Get a Replace Your Ride E-Bike Voucher in Southern California

September 26, 2022/by Laura McCamy

CalBike recently reported on the experience of Berkeley resident Vicki Davis, who received an e-bike voucher from the Clean Cars for All program, administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, in December 2021. While it took some time, the process was relatively smooth for Davis to receive a $7,500 voucher in exchange for turning in an old car.

Since this program is administered by each of the regional air quality management districts, the process to get an e-bike voucher is different depending on where you live. For a different perspective, we spoke with Misch Anderson, a Pasadena resident who got a voucher through the Southern California Air Quality Management District Replace Your Ride program.

About Replace Your Ride

In 2019, CalBike helped pass a bill that added e-bikes to a program that lets people turn in older gas-powered cars in exchange for money to help buy an electric vehicle. The regional air quality management districts administer the program in each region. Because of that and because of the pandemic, the e-bike voucher program rollout has been slow and uneven.

When Misch Anderson decided to get rid of her 1996 Honda Civic in 2020, she knew about SB 400 and turned to the SCAQMD Replace Your Ride program instead of selling it. The process was a journey that took her more than two years.

“I could easily have sold that car for — I don’t even know how much money,” she says. “It would have been a lot easier than this program.” But she persevered because she wanted the program to work for her and others. Here’s what it took.

Part 1: There’s no e-bike voucher option

Anderson started investigating Replace Your Ride in May 2020 and submitted her application in July. She didn’t see an e-bike incentive listed on the website when she applied. Still, she knew e-bikes had been added to the program, so she asked about it and was told it wasn’t available yet because of California Air Resources Board funding cycles.

Because of technical issues on both sides, it took Anderson until October 2020 to submit all her documents. She was frustrated by how hard the process was to navigate. “I felt like these are the kinds of barriers I overcame,” she says, “but it’s not fair to expect the audience for this program to work around them.” (The program is aimed at low-income Californians who earn 400% of the federal poverty level or less.)

It took several months before she was assigned a case manager — probably delayed by the pandemic disruptions to people’s work routines. Once she got the case manager, she was able to resolve her paperwork issues.

The next issue was with her car: It needed to pass smog to qualify, so she needed to deal with a hole in the tailpipe. She had the impression that she should be able to get everything done and qualify for the program in about three months, but the timeline kept stretching out.

She reached out to a friend at the local bike coalition, ActiveSGV, who connected her with a bike-friendly board member. That board member emailed other board members and staff on her behalf. “Otherwise, I think my file might still be at the bottom of somebody’s desk in finance,” she says.

Anderson kept asking about an e-bike option during the process and was told it would come in a few months. By the time she successfully handed over her car in February 2021, there was still no e-bike voucher option in the SCAQMD program, so she opted for transit credit with her $7,500 voucher.

Part 2: The transit option shrinks

After she surrendered her vehicle, Anderson got a credit card that she could use to pay for transit. But, she says, “By that time, it turned out that the transit options I was planning on using the card for no longer qualified.”

She hoped to use the money to pay for ridesharing apps, but rideshare was no longer part of the program. Next, she decided to use the credit for car sharing through Zipcar, but her prepaid debit card didn’t work in Zipcar’s system. Anderson took the issue to Replace Your Ride staffers, who tried to work it out but failed. And because she started but never finished the application, Zipcar banned Anderson from the service for life.

The card worked for another carshare program, but it was only available in the LA metro area, too far from Pasadena, and it would take a very long time to use her credit for bus rides.

“This transit option is so limited as to be not very useful for me,” she says, “and certainly not the option I had hoped for and was promised in the beginning.”

Anderson kept inquiring if the e-bike option was available. When it still wasn’t listed by January of 2022, she decided to take action to get SCAQMD moving.

Part 3: Activism opens the e-bike option at SCAQMD

ActiveSGV had administered a local e-bike incentive program, and Anderson offered to connect them with Replace Your Ride for technical assistance. When she’d gotten no response to her emails by early 2022, she turned to a supportive member of the air district board for help, and he suggested she come in person to the next board meeting.

“I got up, and I basically said the Replace Your Ride Program is doing a great job of putting more cars on the road, but it’s totally failing to steer anybody toward transit and e-bikes,” Anderson recalls.

The board member asked staff to prepare a response, and, 10 minutes later, she was outside the meeting room, talking with someone in charge and being offered a spot in a pilot program for an e-bike voucher. Anderson was one of two people in the program in the spring of 2022.

The next step was to transfer her funds so she could use them for a bike rather than transit, find a bike shop participating in the program, and shop for an e-bike.

Part 4: After more than two years, a new e-bike!

Anderson picked out a Tern SPlus and got the bike shop to order it, but the bureaucratic holdups continued. She and the other person in the pilot program had both purchased bikes through the same shop, but they couldn’t pick them up until the shop completed paperwork, sent it to SCAQMD, and got a check in return.

“The bike shop ended up having to hang onto both our bikes and all our accessories, which was over $10,000 of inventory, for over six weeks,” Anderson says, noting the burden that the delay placed on the shop: “You’re asking these mostly small independent bike shops to hang onto thousands of dollars of inventory without getting paid.”

She used the balance on her $7,500 voucher (she had used some on transit tickets) for her e-bike and accessories. She’s nicknamed her Tern the E-Bike Wonder or Blueberry, and she’s having a blast riding it. “It’s fast enough to get to nearby places efficiently,” Anderson says, “but not so fast that I can’t enjoy the neighborhood as I’m passing through,” adding that she’s lucky to live in a pretty town.

“Fun doesn’t get talked about enough. We talk about benefits to our health, environment, finances, etc., and those are all well and good, but what really motivates me to get on my bike instead of into my car is that I just want to have more fun in my day.” — Misch Anderson

The Replace Your Ride program has only a tiny reference to e-bikes, and Anderson notes that “you have to be a lot in the know” to apply. She feels the program’s website should focus on transportation alternatives rather than EVs. “There is not another human being in Southern California that needs to be sold on cars,” she says. She noted that SCAQMD has hired a new staffer for the program and future applications who want an e-bike voucher might have an easier process than she did.

And Anderson is doing her part to spread the word. SCAQMD recently invited her to bring her bike to an event promoting EVs, and she told us via email, “My e-bike STOLE THE SHOW. Seriously. I barely had it unloaded (the event was far, so I had to drive it in a friend’s SUV) when people were asking about it. I let people ride it around, people of all ages, and they all pulled up looking so HAPPY!”

How to Get a Clean Cars for All E-Bike Voucher in the Bay Area

September 1, 2022/by Laura McCamy

During a recent meeting of the CARB Electric Bicycle Incentives Work Group, the comments made it evident that there are lots of Californians trying to figure out how to get help to afford an e-bike. The incentives program, which CalBike helped pass last year, will provide vouchers to low-income Californians for an e-bike purchase. When it comes online in early 2023, it will offer incentives of $750 to $1,500 toward an e-bike purchase.

However, if you don’t want to wait and you have an old car you’re ready to get rid of, you may qualify for a considerably higher voucher to buy e-bikes for multiple family members. A few years ago, CalBike got the Clean Cars for All program to include vouchers to purchase an e-bike as one of the options (the program offers incentives of up to $9,500 toward an electric car for people who turn in an older, gas-powered vehicle).

It’s not straightforward to figure out how to get a Clean Cars e-bike voucher, and each local air management district administers its own program, so there may be regional differences. We spoke with Berkeley resident Vicki Davis about her experience getting a voucher and a new e-bike through the program administered by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD).

An e-bike that solves two problems

Vicki Davis and daughters — Vicki Davis with daughters Lyra (on back of bike) and Holly

During the pandemic, Davis’ older daughter went on bike rides with her dad for her PE requirement. Davis couldn’t join them because she has asthma and other health issues that would make it hard for her to keep up. Plus, she didn’t have a bike. Her younger daughter hasn’t learned to ride, so the two of them were stuck at home while the other half of their family had all the fun.

Her family had another problem: A 2000 Camry, her husband’s old car, with an unreliable battery. “Over the pandemic, he really got into biking and was using his car less and less,” she says, “and we would get tickets almost every month for street sweeping.”

The Clean Cars for All program solved both problems. Davis was able to take the Camry off the road, and, in return, the program gave her a voucher to buy one or more e-bikes. “We got $7,500, which is more than we could have gotten [for the Camry] had we sold it,” she says. She and her husband don’t have to worry about parking tickets, registration, or getting the car to pass smog. And Davis has a brand new Rad Runner Plus that allows her to keep up with her husband and older daughter and take her younger child for a ride on the back.

Here are the basics of the Clean Cars for All e-bike voucher program, including the timing and tips from Davis on navigating the process.

Step 1: Have an eligible car to trade and meet eligibility requirements

To qualify for a Clean Cars for All voucher, you must meet the program’s eligibility requirements. In the Bay Area, that includes living in an eligible zip code, meeting the income requirement (income within 400% of the Federal Poverty Level), owning a car that falls within the program parameters, and being a first-time applicant to the program.

The car must be drivable to qualify. Davis’ Camry had 180,000 miles on it and was in decent condition, but she was happy to scrap it. “It was basically like paying rent to have it parked on our street,” she says.

Step 2: Fill out lots of paperwork

“The very first step is preapproving that you can even apply,” Davis says. That part of the process was quick.

Once she was preapproved, she could submit paperwork proving her income and ownership of the car. The website was not mobile-friendly, which presented an extra challenge.

When her husband found out about the program through a post on Twitter, he didn’t believe it was real, but he sent her the information, and she submitted the application because they were desperate to get rid of their second car. It took so long for her to hear back from BAAQMD that she figured it wasn’t real or the program had run out of money, but she finally got approved.

She submitted paperwork through an online portal where she could check her application status and can now check the balance on her voucher and get purchases approved.

Pro Tip: Davis notes that the program promotes itself as a subsidy to buy an EV, and it’s harder to find the e-bike option. In the Bay Area, that option is listed under Mobility Options, which includes a grant for transit passes. When you choose what kind of voucher you want, it looks like you’re opting for a transit pass — the e-bike grant is in small print.

Step 3: Get the car inspected at a salvage yard.

“I think a lot of the delays were me, to be honest,” Davis says. It took her a while to complete the many steps of the process, and, she adds, scrapping the car was a whole second chore that she hadn’t bargained on. She had to get the battery working to drive the vehicle to the salvage yard for inspection.

There was an issue with the yard sending her documents through to the Clean Cars program, and getting the information sent again was a big hassle. Her tip: “Keep copies of things. Follow up.”

Step 4: Wait.

Davis found out she was eligible to apply for a Clean Cars voucher in March of 2021. She submitted her paperwork in April. Her status changed to Under Review in July and Approved in November.

Step 5: Take the car back to be junked.

After she was approved, Davis took her car to be junked in November. It took a few more weeks for the grant to come through; she got her voucher in late December of 2021.

Step 6: Buy your new e-bike, accessories, and more

Davis bought a Rad Runner Plus Class 2 e-bike for about $2,100, including tax and accessories. “The thing I really like about the one I got is that it has a seat on the back for my younger daughter,” she says.

She chose the Rad Runner even though her voucher would have enabled her to get a more expensive e-bike because it fit her style better. She likes having the throttle option so she can keep going if she gets too tired.

The voucher is on a pre-loaded credit card, and Davis can submit what she wants to buy beforehand to get it pre-approved or approved after the purchase. She must load receipts for each purchase and show that it’s related to her e-bike. When she needed an extension cord for charging and bought a milk crate for an inexpensive basket, she had to load photos of the items in use since they weren’t classified as bike accessories.

With the $4,600 she has left, she can buy e-bikes for other family members, and she’s going to see if she can get a bike rack to put her e-bike on the back of the family car. She also has the option to convert the balance into money for transit passes. The program gives her up to three years to spend the funds.

Step 7: Ride everywhere and have a blast!

Davis is having a great time riding her new e-bike with her husband and kids. “We rode over the Bay Bridge, which was so exciting,” she says. She’s been taking her younger daughter to and from school by bike and riding alongside her older daughter to Berkeley High.

“Even though it’s an electric bike and I use the assist, I am getting exercise,” Davis says. Some of the things she loves about being able to bike now include “going places where we don’t have to worry about parking” and “not having to stress about my second car.” She’s getting less nervous about riding and expanding her comfort zone; she recently did her first ride in the dark.

If you think you might qualify for the Clean Cars for All program and would like an e-bike voucher, check the program webpages for information on where to apply in your region. And you can out more details about the Bay Area program on this handy reference page.