California is launching a new incentive that will provide income-eligible Californians (household income 300% of FPL) up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new e-bike. The first installment of the launch will offer $3 million to help fund up to 1,500 e-bikes.

The California E-bike Incentive Project is being launched in partnership with more than 20 community-based organizations that will do outreach and provide application assistance.

Once approved, income-eligible individuals can redeem the voucher from retailers at the point of purchase. A rider safety video is provided and required before collecting the voucher.

E-bikes feature a battery and electric motor that can be activated to assist with pedaling, increasing the ease to travel longer distances. The California legislature appropriated funding for the e-bike project to help lower cost barriers to a technology that can help replace car trips, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering transportation costs for low-income Californians. According to the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy, e-bikes can be a suitable alternative to car travel, particularly for shorter trips.

CARB designed the e-bike project in collaboration with interested parties through a public process. During an initial pilot, key aspects of the program were tested in four locations across California that face disproportionate environmental burdens: Barrio Logan in San Diego, East Bay Area, downtown Fresno and in partnership with a few tribal governments.