Ebike Rebates and Incentives Across the USA
July 14, 2021
Updated 4/20/22
Electric bikes have accrued an exceptional amount of organic growth over the past decade as both commuter and leisure riders learn the benefits of riding an ebike; with many people using their ebike as dual-purposes transport vehicles! The pandemic highlighted ebike’s an alternative mode of transportation for commuters and many are also choosing to switch because of how much money it saves them.
In a survey conducted in early 2019, 30% of respondents cited environmental considerations as one of the reasons why they purchased an ebike. This was lower than some expected, but elected officials and utility providers across North America seem to view ebikes differently from these members of the general public and are actively providing ebike incentives, in the form of tax rebates, vouchers, and rent to buy schemes, to encourage their residents to purchase and use ebikes. By investing in ebikes, consumers can reduce emissions instead of driving in traffic every day.
As an ebike company, who’s high-powered, high-quality ebike models are at the affordable end of the spectrum yet still over $1000 a-piece, we understand the financial commitment that some may struggle to reason with when opting to purchase an ebike. Luckily, additional funding from the government and utility providers is making ebikes more accessible. It is for this reason that we’ve compiled this list of currently active ebike rebates and incentive schemes available across both the USA and Canada to help people realize their dreams of owning and utilizing an ebike!
United States
California
Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties - Established by The Monterey Bay Air Resources District, the Monterey Bay e-Bike Incentive Program (e-BIP) offers $1,000 to qualifying low-income applicants. The electric bike rebate can be applied to Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bikes priced between $1,000 - $4,000.
Contra Costa County - Adult (18+) residents can apply for a $150 rebate towards the purchase of any ebike, ebike conversion kit, or electric moped. The rebate is raised to $300 for low-income households.
Healdsburg - The City of Healdsburg is offering ebike rebates of up to $700 for residence. There are a few tiers, the highest being $700, and others being $400, $300, and $50. Which rebate you get depends on a few factors, including: what you purchase, where you purchase it, your residency, and your income status.
San Diego County - The Pedal Ahead scheme in San Diego County is a loan-to-own scheme where the participants must provide insurance and track and report their mileage for two years. The scheme provides safety and security accessories and once you’ve completed your 2-year term the ebike is yours!
Santa Clara - Customers of Silicon Valley Power are eligible for a 10% rebate on the price of an ebike, up to $300. Customers in their Financial Rate Assistance Program can receive an extra $200 per ebike.
Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties - Conducted by South Coast Air Quality Management District, eligibility for this electric bicycle rebate program requires a trade-in and it is income-based. Residents could be eligible for a voucher valued up to $7500 for ebikes, car, and bikes shares, as well as for public transport credit.
Colorado
Denver - Residents of Denver can apply for a $400 instant rebate before purchasing a qualifying e-bike from select participating bike shops and retailers, while e-cargo bikes are eligible for a $500 instant rebate. Income-qualified Denver residents may apply for a $1,200 instant rebate. Electric bikes must meet the program's requirements in order to qualify, although there is no minimum or maximum purchase price for an electric bike. This rebate has a limit of one electric bike per person.
Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, Mesa, and Gunnison Counties - Customers of Holy Cross Energy (HCE) in the aforementioned counties can receive a $200 rebate for either a new ebike or an ebike conversion. There is a limit of 2 per household and they must be used to offset vehicle miles.
Edwards - The Town of Edwards is providing ebike rebates of up to $200 for the purchase of a new ebike for those that live in the Edwards Metro District. The ebike must be used for commuting or for trips normally taken by car.
La Plata and Archuleta Counties and Surrounding Area - The La Plata Electric Association is giving 25% of the cost of a new ebike, up to $125, of bill credit to their customers when they purchase a new ebike.
Michigan
Ann Arbor - The City of Ann Arbor has partnered with local ebike vendors to offer a $100 discount for select ebikes and a $50 credit toward accessories.
Oregon
Ashland - Ashland Electric is offering its customers a $300 rebate towards the purchase of an ebike for the first 50 customers to sign up. The ebike must be purchased from a participating Ashland bike shop and valued at $3000 or less.
Benton County - If you’re a resident of Benton County, get your power from Pacific Power and have a family income of 80% or less of the median family income then you can apply for an ebike rebate. Applications are open through July 12th, further runs of this ebike rebate program are TBD.
Texas
Austin - Austin Energy is offering rebates for both its residential and commercial customers. Up to $300 rebates for individuals and up to $400 for fleets of new ebikes.
Vermont
Burlington - Burlington residents can take 2 specific forms of proof of their residency to one of many participating stores where they’ll receive an instant $200 off the purchase of an ebike. This also applies if you’re purchasing on behalf of a Burlington business.
Most of Vermont - Green Mountain Power has partnered with many ebike stores to allow their customers to bring one of their utility bills into the store and receive a $200 discount on a new ebike or ebike conversion.
Select Northeast areas and Central Vermont - Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) is offering their utility customers a $100 rebate on the purchase of an ebike or a conversion purchase in the state.
Montpelier Area - Running until the end of 2021 customers of Washington Electric Cooperative (WEC) can receive a rebate of up to $200 on the purchase of a new ebike.
New York
State-Wide - The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) bill is working to create a Ride Clean e-bike program state-wide for New York. Qualifying New Yorkers could receive an immediate 50% rebate when buying an e-bike, with a maximum of $1,400. Mirroring their "Drive Clean" electric car (EV) program, the goal is to make affording a sustainable and accessible mode of transport available to more people.
See here for live program updates
Canada
Alberta - Using the provincial “Scrap-It” scheme Alberta residents can receive a $300 rebate when they scrap their car and purchase an ebike, with a minimum ebike price of $1000.
British Columbia - Utilizing the “Scrap-It” scheme residents of British Columbia can receive $750 towards the purchase of a new ebike when the retail price is over $1200, pre-tax, and it is purchased from a participating retailer.
Nova Scotia - Supported by EV Assist Nova Scotia, a $500 rebate is available for Nova Scotia residents on ebikes with quite specific, but nowhere near unobtainable, specifications costing more than $1200.
What About E-BIKE Acts in the USA?
The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act (H.R. 1019), which Adele Dagher Nasr, CMO at Aventon, released an open letter about back at the beginning of March, has been stalled in the nation’s capital and, whilst optimism amongst the ebike community is high, the reality could be something quite different.
The Build Back Better Act is another tax-credit incentive program that has stirred much excitement and optimism, embracing e-bikes as a part of the solution to fighting climate change; It offers Americans a 30% tax credit on purchases of select electric bikes. While the Build Back Better Act was recently approved by the House of Representatives, it currently lies in the hands of the Senate, though we can continuously receive information and updates regarding the program here.
Wherever on the spectrum your opinion may live, from wanting a discounted ebike to idealizing a societal move toward a much greener future, we ask that you raise the topic again with your representative to show them that it still matters for members of the general public; People for Bikes have created an easy to complete online form that makes messaging your representative a breeze.
For Now…
For now, ebikes remain somewhat expensive, and we must settle for sparsely available programs, offered by both elected officials and energy companies, before any national ebike purchase incentive program makes its way through the two chambers of the home of American democracy. If you’re lucky enough to live in a region where these programs are available then get them whilst the iron is hot! Many see that ebike’s popularity is only going to grow at a great pace over the coming years and, with the high popularity of programs already out there in the wild, we can expect many more similar programs to start in other areas in the coming years.
Updated 4/20/22
Florida doesn’t have any incentives yet but I’m hopeful that we will in the future.
I bought the 350 Pace in Feb 2020 and have totally enjoyed, but am ready to upgrade to the 500 .I have a hard time loading the step through on rack for traveling..have road trails in other local areas and have to load and unload , the step through is not easy,look Inc forward to the upgrade!Happy riding🚲🚲
Wisconsin needs to add an incentive! It’s so much easier to get around the isthmus on a bike, save on the cost of gas, and parking!
I just purchased an adventure. Hopefully Maine will jump on the band wagon for incentives and rebates. I’m 71 years old, retired and could use the assistance. Bike on.🚴♂️🚴♂️🚴♂️