Dive Brief:
- The California Air Resources Board opened its second round of applications for vouchers up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new electric bike for one hour on Tuesday. The program is fully subscribed.
- CARB estimates this $2 million application round will fund approximately 1,000 vouchers. Once approved, individuals can redeem the voucher at select retailers for an approved e-bike at the point of purchase.
- The voucher program, which launched in December, 2024, is available to California residents 18 years or older with an annual household income of three times the federal poverty level or less.
Dive Insight:
Several states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Washington, offer e-bike incentive programs at varying times and with different criteria.
For states with the highest transportation emission levels, e-bike incentive programs along with bike infrastructure could reduce CO2 emissions, help residents save money and increase access to transportation options, according to a Jan. 23 online post at RMI, a nonprofit advocating for clean energy.
California aims to increase access to e-bikes, help riders substitute biking for car trips and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the state’s first round of applications, CARB approved 1,022 vouchers totaling more than $2 million, with some 90% of the vouchers redeemed, according to a press release.
Base vouchers amount to $1,750 per applicant with an additional $250 available to lower-income applicants or applicants living in state-defined low-income or disadvantaged communities. All those receiving vouchers must complete an e-bike safety training course and participate in evaluation surveys.
CARB expects that funding for the current grant, which comes from the state’s general fund, will be exhausted by this fall. A third round of e-bike vouchers is expected to be awarded in 2026, CARB says.
