In 2022, the California Resources Board (CARB) was given approval for a $10 million budget to incentivize Californians to offset some or all of their driving with an electric bike. CARB has hosted four open meetings to gauge community feedback on how to reallocate these funds best. Today, CARB announced their finalized enrollment details and eligibility requirements for their E-Bike Incentive Program, which will provide vouchers of up to $1,000 to help Californians purchase an e-bike. The program is expected to launch by the end of June 2023 and will run for two years.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a California resident

• Be 18 years of age or older

• Have a household income below 300% of the federal poverty level

• Purchase a new e-bike from a participating retailer

  
  
  

Priority Applicants

The program will prioritize applicants that meet the following criteria:

• Residents of disadvantaged or low-income communities

• Residents with incomes below 225% of the federal poverty level

• Participants in one or more of the public assistance programs on CVRP’s categorical eligibility list

Application Process

The application process for the program will be online via ebikeincentives.org. Applicants must provide proof of income, identification, and tax returns. Once an application is approved, the applicant will receive a voucher that can be redeemed at the point of sale.

Funding

The program is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the California Air Resources Board. The grant will be used to provide vouchers to 7,500 Californians.

Community Concerns

CARB has received several concerns about the program. Some of the most common concerns include:

• The program is too prohibitive because of the new bike requirement, full-suspension exclusion, pre-assembly requirement, and integrated light requirement

• The program does not include funding for personal safety and visibility gear. CARB is working to address these concerns. For example, the CARB is considering adding a lower voucher for kits, allowing racks and fenders, and adding a requirement for retailers to provide buildings at no cost.

CARB is committed to making the program as accessible as possible to Californians, evaluating the program’s effectiveness and making adjustments as needed. You can find a recording of the meeting by the end of May on CARB’s website here: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/low-carbon-transportation-investments-and-air-quality-improvement-program/low-0.