What to Know About the Next California E-Bike Voucher Application Window

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has announced a second application window for its E-Bike Incentive Project on April 29. There will be some changes to make the process smoother this time around. Here’s what you need to know about the application process.

What has changed

In the first application window, nearly 100,000 people logged on for a chance to be awarded a voucher toward the purchase of an e-bike. Users waited online until the first 1,500 people in line completed their applications, and then were told that applications were closed. 

The new process will give applicants more time to log on and more clarity about their place in line. People who want an e-bike voucher can enter an online waiting room at the E-Bike Incentives Project website between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. on April 29. 

At 6:00 pm, the waiting room will close and everyone present will be placed in a queue to apply. The order will be determined by randomizing software, not by the time applicants entered the waiting room. You’ll be able to see your place in line and decide if it makes sense to wait. CARB will distribute 1,000 vouchers through the portal in this window. If you’re within the first 2,000 people on the list, it probably makes sense to stick around, in case spots open up if anyone drops off ahead of you.

If you’re not able to apply online because you have difficulty using a computer, you can also apply by mail by contacting the administrator. Mail applications will be randomized in the same way as those through the online portal, giving all applicants the same chance of being able to submit an application.

What hasn’t changed

The basics of the e-bike voucher program remain the same. Only those making 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or below are eligible for a California voucher. The base voucher amount is $1,750; people living in disadvantaged census tracts and those with incomes at or below 225% of the FPL get an additional $250, for a total voucher amount of $2,000.

In the last application window, the most common issue was that people applied whose income was too high to qualify for the program. That slowed down voucher distribution for those who qualified and cost the program administrative time. The more CARB is forced to spend on administration, the less funding it has for vouchers. If your income from all sources is above 300% of FPL, please don’t apply. You can review the amount of income needed to qualify on a table on the EBIP website here. There are many local e-bike incentive programs with different requirements; we encourage you to look for one of those.

What else to know about California e-bike incentives

In addition to distributing 1,000 vouchers through the online portal, the program is working with community-based organizations (CBOs) throughout the state to connect the populations they serve with e-bike vouchers. CBOs will help CARB identify people who can benefit from this low-cost transportation, as well as provide wrap-around services to help them ride safely and keep their bikes in good working order.

CBOs will be working with their existing populations. Reaching out to a CBO if you’re not already working with the organization will not help you get a voucher. 

The administrator has worked to streamline the application process, but it will still take several weeks to verify applications and provide vouchers. As always, patience is a virtue with the California E-Bike Incentives Project.

For other questions, see our e-bike incentive FAQs.

If you’d like to know more, CalBike is hosting a free webinar on April 22 at noon to walk people through the process and answer questions. Register to attend.