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Starting Dec. 18, eligible Californians will be able to apply for vouchers of up to $2,000 toward the purchase of an electric bike as part of a new state incentive program.
The California E-Bike Incentive Project, launched by the California Air Resources Board, was created to lower cost barriers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for transportation alternatives to car travel.
Unlike electric vehicle rebates and tax credits, applicants do not have to first purchase an e-bike to receive the incentive. The voucher acts as a discount on the purchase of an electric bike.
According to the Institute for Transport and Development Policy, e-bikes can be a good 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 discovered that e-bikes address an unmet transportation need for people without cars. E-bike riders who had access to their own vehicles preferred e-bikes because they were convenient for traveling distances of 1 to 4 miles.
Researchers also found that electric bikes have the advantage of charging and servicing costs at a fraction of the cost of a car. Electric bike users also benefit from healthy physical activity, free parking, and contributing to reduced traffic.
California Air Resources Board Executive Director Stephen Cliff said in a statement that e-bikes are a transportation option that people can use to get around every day while improving air quality.
“As we work towards achieving zero emissions goals, it is important to prioritize equity and access, and this incentive program is designed to help make electric bikes part of the solution. We support the effort,” Cliff said.
The program starts at $3 million and aims to provide coupons for the purchase of 1,500 electric bikes. It’s unclear whether the state will add more funding once the program’s vouchers run out.
The program will begin accepting applications on the website ebikeincentives.org on December 18th at 6pm. Applications will be processed in the order received until vouchers are exhausted.
Who is the program for?
Applicants must be California residents 18 years of age or older with an annual household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. This means that to qualify, a one-person household must have an annual income of approximately $45,000 or less, and a two-person household must have an annual income of approximately $61,000 or less.
Applicants with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty level will receive priority on the application list. This means that to qualify for priority, a single-person household must have an income of approximately $33,000 or less, and a two-person household must have an income of approximately $45,000 or less.
How will the voucher be used?
Once the application is submitted online and all eligibility requirements are met, applicants will receive an approval notification with a voucher via email.
Vouchers can be redeemed at participating retailers, including 131 retail locations in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Visit the project’s online retailer map for an extensive list with retailer contact information.
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