There is no federal e-Bike rebate program at the moment. A few bicycle-friendly representatives in Congress have reintroduced the E-BIKE Act to encourage the use of e-Bikes through a consumer tax credit. The bill would cover 30% of the cost of a qualified e-Bike, but will have to see if the legislation passes.
E-Bike Rebates & Vouchers in the US (November 2024)
Written by: Rémy Rossi | November 7, 2024 | Time to read 5 min
Buying a good-quality electric bike can be a big investment, but many states are now offering rebate and voucher programs to sweeten the deal and encourage residents to join the growing e-Bike movement. Take a look at all the active incentive programs across the US and find out if you’re eligible to save when you buy a new e-Bike.
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.
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Electric bikes can transform the way people commute to work and replace car trips to promote cleaner cities. Whether it’s a hybrid e-Bike or long-range e-Bike, these bikes are catching on as something that many state and local governments are excited to support. Even if your state doesn’t have an e-Bike rebate yet, check with your city or county to see if they have their own incentive program.
How do these programs work?
E-Bike rebates and voucher programs incentivize the purchase of new electric bikes by lowering the cost for consumers thanks to government funds. States accept program applications from residents and distribute these limited funds based on needs-based criteria such as income. The financial assistance comes in the form of a rebate or voucher (also referred to as a point-of-sale rebate) to be spent on a new e-Bike and related accessories.
What kind of e-Bikes are eligible?
The exact e-Bike eligibility criteria will depend on your state’s rebate program, but most states follow similar guidelines. The e-Bike must fall under the CPSC definition of an e-Bike and have a motor that doesn’t go over 750 watts. In general, Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bikes are eligible and there may be special incentives regarding e-cargo bikes and adaptive e-Bikes.
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States with e-Bike rebates
California
California is currently in the midst of the drawn-out process of launching its statewide voucher program called the California E-Bike Incentive Project. Already two years in the making, the hotly-anticipated $30 million program has been rife with delays and doesn’t have an official start date, though there was a nominal soft launch this year.
Residents with an income under 300% of the Federal Poverty Level will be eligible for a $1,750 voucher. Higher-need residents or those who live in certain disadvantaged areas can qualify for $250 of additional assistance.
While the statewide program is in limbo, there are already many regional and local programs in effect, including Alameda, Contra Costa County, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, & San Bernadino counties, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Redding, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz, and Santa Monica among others.
Colorado
Colorado’s statewide e-Bike rebate is available to low- and moderate-income residents. Income-qualified residents can receive a rebate of $1,000 or $500, respectively. There are additional incentives for cargo e-Bikes (+$300) and adaptive e-Bikes (+$250). The e-Bike can’t cost more than $5,000 nor be a full-suspension mountain bike. Cities like Denver and Boulder offer e-Bike rebates as well, in addition to select counties around the Centennial State.
Connecticut
The Connecticut Electric Bicycle Incentive Program just closed its second round of applications but is likely to continue its successful voucher program. The standard voucher is worth $500 while income-qualifying residents are eligible for an additional $750 of assistance, for a total incentive of $1,250.
Hawaii
The Aloha State’s electric bike and moped rebate offers up to $500 or a 20% discount on the retail price for eligible purchases of e-Bikes and electric mopeds. Applicants are eligible if they are in a low-income assistance program, currently studying, or do not own a car.
Maine
The Maine legislature has included e-Bikes in the Efficiency Maine rebate program and got started on a pilot program in 2024. Low-income residents can qualify for a rebate of $300 on e-Bikes or $500 on e-cargo bikes.
Massachusetts
The Massachusetts E-Bike Rebate is one of the newest statewide programs to be announced. Coming into effect in late 2024 or early 2025, the rebate will be available to income-qualified residents and provide between $800-$1,200 of incentive toward the purchase of a new e-Bike. Each recipient will also receive $150 to buy bicycle safety accessories.
The city of Boston has also launched its own program for qualified applicants this summer. There will be approximately 1,000 vouchers with a value from $800 to $2,400 depending on the resident’s income eligibility.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Revenue E-Bike Rebate provides a discount of up to $1,500 on a qualifying e-Bike. The discount is 50-75% of the cost of the e-Bike, with the exact amount depending on the resident’s income. Applications are now closed for the 2024 rounds of rebates but residents can sign up when the application window reopens in summer 2025.
Rhode Island
The state’s Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bike Rebate Program offers two types of rebates. The standard rebate provides up to $350 or 30% of the cost of an e-Bike or e-cargo bike, whichever is less. The income-qualified rebate boosts the incentive to $750 or 75% of the total purchase cost. Limit of 2 rebates per household.
Vermont
Vermont launched the nation’s first statewide incentive program and has invested an additional $70,000 to fund the third round of applications. Income-qualified residents are eligible for an incentive of $400 or $800 depending on their earnings and type of e-Bike.
Washington
New for 2025, the Washington State Department of Transportation is currently developing a program to provide rebates of up to $1,200 for e-Bike purchases.
Washington DC
The District E-Bike Incentive Program provides income-qualified residents of our nation’s capital with a maximum incentive of $1,500 for an e-Bike and $2,000 for an e-cargo bike. Additional vouchers are available for maintenance, disability components, and a bike lock.
States with proposed e-Bike rebates
E-Bike programs are expanding across the country and may be launching in your state soon. Several states have active proposals working their way through the state legislatures and could likely be the next batch of states to deliver e-Bike incentives to residents. However, the success of these proposed bills and statewide e-Bike vouchers isn’t guaranteed.
You can advocate for programs in your state by contacting your local lawmakers in these states:
The following states don’t have an active bill for an e-Bike incentive program, but large cities in the state are operating their own programs:
- Michigan: There’s already the Lansing Board of Water & Light E-Bike Rebate.
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Oregon: Existing programs in Ashland, Oregon, and Eugene— Portland program launching in 2025.
- Florida: Tampa E-Bike Voucher Program
- Georgia: Atlanta E-Bike Rebate
- Indiana: City of Bloomington E-Bike Voucher Program
- Iowa: Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative Rebate
- Texas: Austin Energy Program
- Utah: Clean Air Salt Lake City E-bike Incentive Program
- North Carolina: Raleigh E-Bike Program
- Ohio: Columbus’ Resident E-Bike Subsidy Program
States with no e-Bike rebates
Other states have some catching up to do in terms of launching e-Bike rebate and voucher programs. States currently without any statewide e-Bike incentives include:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a federal e-Bike rebate program?
What's the status of California's electric bike rebate program?
The much anticipated California E-Bike Incentive Project still hasn’t been launched due to a series of delays and program mismanagement. The program is accepting applications from retailers but hasn’t set a date when state residents and begin to apply.
Who is eligible for e-Bike voucher programs?
E-Bike voucher programs are designed for residents who earn an income below a certain level. Depending on the program criteria, higher-need individuals can be eligible for even
Key Takeaways
- State-level e-Bike rebate and voucher programs across the U.S. aim to lower entry costs, encouraging sustainable urban mobility by reducing car reliance.
- Programs are generally income-based and include various e-Bike types, with extra incentives for e-cargo and adaptive bikes.
- California and other states have upcoming or delayed programs, while some states and cities have no current plans, though local advocacy could encourage development.
