Electric Bike Subsidies and Grants Around the World. US, UK, Canada, and more!

Wouldn’t it be nice to get a huge discount on a brand new electric bike in some cases and in some countries? You might be in luck! There are a number of incentive programs that governments are starting to come up with that promote the use and purchase of electric bikes.

This is in line with many governments’ plans in reducing internal combustion engines and other more polluting modes of transportation in favor of greener options.

I’ve compiled an exhaustive list of incentive programs that I’ve been able to track down throughout the world. There could be more and I’ll be updating this list as more programs become available or are brought to my attention. The list below will give you a good idea of what’s out there and what might be coming to your area.

Some of these programs offer a few hundred dollars while others offer significant savings and incentives to help in purchasing your next new electric bike.

Now, a lot of these programs do have constraints or certain criteria that you need to meet before you can be approved for a grant or incentive. But if your circumstances match those criteria and you live in an area where these incentive are offered, you might be in luck.

List Of Programs

• BC – SCRAP-IT Program (Canada, BC)
• Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A) (California)
• Austin Energy Electric Ride Rebate (Austin, TX)
• Green Mountain Power Instant Rebate (Vermont)
• Burlington Electric Instant Rebate (Vermont)
• Cyclescheme (UK)
• Paris E-Bike Subsidy (France)
• Scotland E-Bike Loan (Scotland)
• Sweden Electric Bike Grant (Sweden)

BC – SCRAP-IT Program

Location: British Columbia (Canada)

Summary

An incentive program specific for the province of British Columbia (Canada). This $750 incentive for purchasing an electric bike takes some commitment since it requires you to scrap your old vehicle.

Who Can Apply:

Incentives are available to registered owners of vehicles only, and does not include family members and principal drivers.

The minimum retail purchase price of the electric bicycle that qualifies for the incentive is $1,000 and must meet the following conditions and other conditions according to the B.C. Reg 151/2002 (Motor Assisted Cycle Regulation)

• The electric motor of 500 watts or less, capable of propelling the cycle no faster than 32 km/h without pedaling on level ground
• Equipped with a mechanism that either Prevents the motor from engaging before the motor-assisted cycle (MAC) attains 3km/h or above speeds
• Allows the driver to turn the motor off and on
• The motor cannot be gas-powered
• Capable of being propelled using pedals, but not necessary to always be pedaling
• The bike must be purchased new from a participating retailer

You need to purchase the electric bike from a participating bike retailer, scrap your vehicle, and claim the incentive within 30 days. Your application will automatically close if you haven’t completed your process within 30 days.

What Type of Incentive:

$750 cashback for electric bike purchase with a minimum of $1,000 retail price on a new electric bike.

How Much is The Incentive: $750 (CAD)

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

Electric bike incentives since May 2019

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit:

No end date at the moment might change in the future.

Other Interesting/Important Info To Know

• The incentive cannot be used towards gift cards, accessories, and/or conversion kits
• The receipt you provide should be a scanned copy or photograph of the original receipts (bike retailer and POS receipts). If you mail your original receipts, it may not be returned.

Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A)

Location: California

Summary

Relatively new funding regulated by the governor of California on September 6, 2019. Dedicated to citizens that live in air quality districts that are enrolled in the program. Eligible citizens can reive up to a $7,500 voucher to purchase an electric bike in exchange for a gas-powered vehicle.

The purpose of the CC4A program is to reduce fleet emissions by encouraging turnover on existing gas-powered fleets while also providing more accessibility for cleaner and more energy-efficient vehicles including electric bikes.

Who Can Apply:

People that meet the following criteria can apply for this incentive:

• Be a California Resident,
• Reside in a participating air quality district (currently, three districts enrolled in the program, San Francisco Bay Area, South Coast, San Joaquin Valley, and one potential – Sacramento).
• Vehicle requirements are based on the air quality district in which you currently reside in
•  Meet income requirements (Maximum of $49,960, higher with more people in the household) or live in a disadvantaged community

What Type of Incentive:

Purchase voucher for environmentally-friendly vehicle (an e-bike) in exchange for the gas-powered vehicle

How Much is The Incentive:

Up to $7,500 depending on the air quality district in which you live and other factors.

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

September 6, 2019 for electric bikes

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit:

Undisclosed, the greenhouse reduction fund received $903,726 in the 2019/2020 budget. Might change in the future.

Austin Energy Electric Ride Rebate

Location: Austin, TX

Summary:

Up to $300 cash rebate for individual e-ride purchase or up to $400 for fleet purchase, eligible for those who is a consumer of Austin Energy. For fleet bikes, the bike must display Austin Energy branding.

Who Can Apply:

All who receive electricity from Austin Energy purchasing new E-bikes or other E-ride vehicle that meets the following:

• For fleet bikes, The bike must display Austin Energy branding (provided by Austin energy) for fleet e-bikes
• 3 Maximum e-ride rebates of any applicants per fiscal year for individual applications (Fleet applicants are excluded from this)
• Applications must be submitted within 60 days of the e-bike purchase.
• Offer only applies for new e-bikes purchased from Austin Energy’s approved dealership.

What Type of Incentive:

Cash rebate

How Much is The Incentive:

Up to $300 for individual vehicles, up to $400 for rideshare fleet vehicles

For individual e-ride purchases:

• $50 for up to $499 e-ride purchases (including tax)
• $100 for up to $500-999 e-ride purchases (including tax)
• $200 for up to $1,000-$1,999 e-ride purchases (including tax)
• $300 for $2,000 and above e-ride purchases (including tax)

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

Since August 2016

Is there an end date for this program or funding limit:

Not at the moment

Other interesting/important info to know:

Rebate applications can be made 100% online.

Upload the following documents with your online application:

• Copy of the fully paid invoice(s) that shows the full cost of the e-bike
• Copy of the e-bike’s official published specifications
• A spec sheet: a document that summarizes the technical characteristic and performance of the e-bike product. Used to verify whether the bike has a motor and battery and not gas-powered
• Applications must be submitted within 60 days of the e-bike purchase.
• The entire receipt must be visible and must show fully paid status
• Proof of non-profit tax status is required if claiming the non-profit fleet rebate exclusion
• The check will be issued to the Austin Energy electric account

Green Mountain Power Instant Rebate

Location: Vermont

Summary

A rebate program for Green Mountain Power (GMP) customers, offering an instant $200 rebate for e-bikes of $500 and above purchased from local partner stores.

Who Can Apply

All GMP customers who purchased an e-bike from participating local shops:

• Barre: Vermont Bicycle Shop
• Bellows Falls: Electric Transport L3C
• Bennington: Highlander Bicycle
• Brattleboro: Brattleboro Bicycle Shop,
• Burrows Specialized Sports
• Burlington: Betty’s Bikes, North Star Sports, Old Spokes Home, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Skirack
• Colchester: Electric Bikes VT, Malletts Bay Bicycle and Ski
• Jeffersonville: Bootlegger Bikes
• Killington: Alpine Bike Works, First Stop Ski Shop
• Manchester Center: Battenkill Bicycles, Bradley’s Pro Shop
• Middlebury: C&S Hunting Supply, Frog Hollow Bikes, RAD Innovations
• Montpelier: Onion River Outdoors
• Norwich: Hanover Adventure Tours
• Poultney (Hampton, NY): Johnson & Son Bikeworks
• Putney: West Hill Shop
• Rochester: Green Mountain Bikes
• South Burlington: Earl’s Cyclery & Fitness
• Vergennes: Little City Cycles
• Waterbury: Waterbury Sports VT
• Williston: All Earth eBikes

What Type of Incentive:

$200 (for e-bikes with pre-tax prices of $500 and above)

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

Since May 1, 2019

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit:

The program ends June 30, 2020.

Burlington Electric Instant Rebate

Location: Vermont

Summary:

Instant $200 rebate from Burlington Electric Department for e-bikes purchased at participating retail shops. Also offers a rebate for converting your existing bike into an e-bike.

Who Can Apply:

Burlington resident or purchasing on behalf of a Burlington business. The e-bike must be purchased from Old Spokes Home, North Star Sports, Skirack, Betty’s Bikes, or Outdoor Gear Exchange.

If you want to convert your traditional bike to an electric bike, you can have any Vermont-based (preferably Burlington-based) provider that will install a conversion kit on your bike.

What Type of Incentive:

Cash rebate

How Much is The Incentive:

$200

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

Since May 2018

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit:

Not specified at the moment, might change in the future.

UK – Cycle Scheme

Location: United Kingdom

Summary:

As the name suggests, a payment scheme to provide employee benefit to save 25-39% on a bike and accessories (or more for certain offers). Payments are taken from your salary (tax efficiently) by employers.

Who Can Apply:

All employees (in UK) who want to purchase an e-bike with the employer’s consent and:

• 16 years of age or above
• Earn at least minimum wage after the salary sacrifice for the e-bike has been deducted from the pay
• Paid and taxed via PAYE (Pay as You Earn) system

What Type of Incentive:

Tax break by hiring the bike for an agreed length of time, then purchase it up for a fraction of its original value. Interest-free credit.

How Much is The Incentive:

Save 25%-39% of the bikes price (and accessories) for the Hire Agreement. At the end of the term, the title to the bike can be transferred for 5% (+ Vat) of its original R.R.P of the product.

• The employee saved on NI and PAYE contributions and so can get the bike vat and tax-free
• Saves 12.8% national insurance costs on the reduced salary, while providing ts staff with a vehicle
• The company can treat the expenditure as capital expenditure

Employers recoup the full cost of the bike and up to 13.8% of its overall value on top.

You will be given a year’s worth of contract, and your salary will be deducted based on the e-bike’s (and accessories’) price.

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

Cyclescheme has been around since 1999 but only added electric bikes in 2019.

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit:

None at the moment, might change in the future.

Other Interesting/Important Info To Know:

You can also get various accessories from helmets and bike lights to various components as a part of your Cyclescheme package (while also spreading the overall cost). After the initial Hire Agreement you can:

• Return the bike
• Own it later: pay a deposit of 3% (if the bike was under £500) or 7% (if above £500). When the bike is 4 years old, you are the owner of the bike.
• Own it now: pay 18% if the bike is under £500 and 25% if it was over £500 and own the bike immediately.

France – Paris E-Bike Subsidy

Location: Paris, France

Summary

€500 cashback for an e-bike purchase in Paris, alongside Paris’ existing e-bike subsidy (a cap for €400)

Who Can Apply

Any Parisien who is purchasing a new e-bike.

What Type of Incentive

Subsidy

How Much is the Incentive

€500

How Long Has The Program Been in Place:

The program starts from September 2019 but the subsidy starts in February 2020

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit

The program will end in June 2020 with a funding limit of 12 million Euros.

Scotland E-Bike Loan

Location: Scotland

Summary

A loan program offered by Energy Saving Trust of Scotland for a more accessible way to purchase an electric bike. The loan scheme is funded by Transport Scotland.

The loan is interest-free with no administrative fees, but all applications are subject to credit and affordability checks.

Who Can Apply

Any eligible citizen, applications considered on a case by case basis

What Type of Incentive

An interest-free loan (no administrative fees)

How Much is The Incentive

Each household can get up to £6,000 in the eBike interest-free loan with up to 4-years repayment period:

• 2 e-bikes (up to £3,000 each)
• One family e cargo bike up to £6,000
• One adaptive e-bike up to £6,000

How Long Has The Program Been in Place

Since 2018, updated every year.

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit

None at the moment.

Other Interesting/Important Info to Know

• Applicants must not make another payment for the e-bike before receiving an offer of a loan from Energy Saving Trust, excluding deposit contributions
• You cannot apply for the loan after the e-bike has been paid in full
• Applicants are subject to affordability and credit check

Sweden Electric Bike Grant

Summary

The Sweden Electric Bike Grant is a form of subsidy for e-bikes ownership that is a follow-up by the Swedish government for their go-green initiatives. Launched in 2018 (after their e-car subsidy program), the subsidy allows more accessible ownership of electric bikes.

Who Can Apply

All Swedish citizens who are looking to purchase an e-bike.

What Type of Incentive

Cash rebate/subsidy

How Much is the Incentive

25% up to 20 000 Krona.

How Long Has The Program Been in Place

February 1, 2018

Is There an Ending Date/Funding Limit

No ending date. The budget of the program is one billion Krona ($114) for three years

Other Interesting/Important Info to Know

People can backdate their claims up to September 1, 2017.