How New Trump Tariffs Will Impact E-Bike Prices in the US
Written by: Rémy Rossi | February 7, 2025 | Time to read 5 min
The Trump administration has imposed new tariffs on goods imported from China, and that’s big news for the e-Bike industry. Here’s what you can expect about the future of e-Bike prices in the US.
More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.
The US electric bike market will be one of the most affected industries by this tariff because of China’s large role in the supply chain and bike manufacturing process. The new trade restrictions could present serious disruptions to the growing e-Bike industry and raise prices for bike retailers and consumers. I’ll break down what we know so far and what’s likely to come.
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E-Bike prices are expected to rise
The new import tariff means that American companies will have to pay 10% more to get these e-Bikes or components into the country. Tariffs are not paid by Chinese exporters, so the US companies will need to decide whether to absorb the cost themselves or pass it onto retailers and consumers, resulting in higher e-Bike prices.
The US e-Bike market is already familiar with tariffs on Chinese goods. There’s currently a 25% tariff on most bicycles, electric bikes, and components from China, meaning the new executive order raises the total tariff to 35%. For a deeper look, the Best Bike Lock blog has made an amazing tool to analyze where every bike brand, such as Specialized and Cannondale, produces and assembles their bikes.
How the e-Bike industry can respond
However, switching production to another country may not be sufficient to avoid tariff hikes. New legislation in Congress— called the Reciprocal Trade Act— was introduced this week by West Virginia Rep. Riley M. Moore which would allow the president to raise import tariffs on goods from another country to match that country’s own tariffs on US goods.
This would lead to some huge price hikes considering that Vietnam currently has a 45% tariff on US bicycle imports and a 55% tariff on e-Bikes— the US would respond by putting the same tariffs on bikes imported from Vietnam. Similar cases exist in Cambodia, Taiwan, and China which impose tariffs on US e-Bikes of 15%, 20%, and 45%, respectively. The Trump administration is also floating the idea of introducing trade restrictions and tariffs on European goods.
What this means for e-Bike buyers
Sean Collins, a journalist at Vox, puts it bluntly in his recent report on tariffs; “The bottom line is this: At best, tariffs will mean you will need to pay more for goods and services than you do now. And at worst, they could create large economic disturbances.”
The new tariff is just one of the many moving pieces in the complex e-Bike market in the US. But there are still ways riders can make purchasing an e-Bike more affordable. As e-Bikes are growing in popularity, cities and states are launching incentive programs to support e-Bikes as a sustainable mode of transport. For example, the California Incentive Program is finally here and the Minnesota Rebate Program is up and running (with Upway as a proud partner!).
Another way to protect yourself from rising e-Bike prices is to buy a high-quality electric bike from Upway. We source our electric bikes from top brands, bike shops, and individuals here in the US so aren’t as affected by import tariffs. But as a retailer in the e-Bike industry, these new tariffs will inevitably have a certain impact at some point, such as when purchasing overstock directly from bike brands.
Whether you’re planning on selling your used e-Bike or buying a new or pre-owned model, Upway is your go-to destination. Our huge deals let you enjoy a premium e-Bike at a big discount, including a one-year warranty and excellent customer support.
Key Takeways
- E-Bike Prices Will Rise Due to Tariffs: The Trump administration's new 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Since most US e-Bikes rely on Chinese manufacturing, this increase will likely lead to higher prices for consumers.
- Supply Chain Shifts May Not Be Enough: Some companies are exploring alternative manufacturing locations like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Taiwan.
- Buyers Can Still Find Affordable Options: While tariffs may drive up costs, state and local incentive programs can help offset e-Bike prices. Upway offers pre-owned and discounted e-Bikes, providing a way to avoid some of the tariff’s impacts.
