November 17, 2023

California's Latest Ebike Rebates & Tax Credits

When it comes to electric bikes, it’s no secret that they can come with a hefty price tag. While they are worth the investment for many reasons, including a more eco-friendly choice for getting around and a more efficient form of transit, the cost can still be a barrier for some shoppers. However, with the growing popularity of ebikes, many states are now offering rebates or tax credits to incentivize their purchases. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the ebike rebates and tax credits available in your area for 2023, making it easier for you to apply incentives and save money.

California E-Bike Rebates and Incentives

Alameda:

The Alameda Transportation Management Association (TMA) is offering an additional rebate of up to $600 for eligible TMA members who buy a new electric bicycle (E-bike)!

AMP Rebates for electric bicycles:

Cost (pre-tax)	Standard Rebate	Income Qualified Rebate
Up to $999.99	$100	$200
$1,000 - $1,999.99	$200	$400
$2,000 and up	$300	$600

How to Apply:

Purchase an E-bike
Complete, sign, and submit the application
Submit a photo of the following:
1. Sales receipt or invoice showing the cost of the electric bicycle
2. Photo of your e-bike
3. Photo of vehicle serial number

For more information about and to apply for the Alameda TMA rebate, click here.

Contra Costa County:

The Electric Bicycle Rebate Program of $150-$500 is available to Contra Costa residents 18+ who buy an electric bicycle or have an e-bike conversion kit installed.

How to Apply:

The first thing to know about the e-bike rebate program is that it applies to Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes. To be eligible for the rebate, you need to purchase a new e-bike that meets these criteria and keep it registered in Contra Costa County for at least two years. The amount of the rebate will depend on your household income, Low Income = Larger Rebate. County residents with total household incomes of less than or equal to 400% of current Federal Poverty Guidelines may be eligible for a rebate of up to $500.

To apply for the rebate, you need to submit an online application within six months of purchasing your new e-bike. You will also need to provide proof of purchase, proof of residence, and proof of income. If your application is approved, you will receive a check within eight weeks of submission.

Healdsburg:

The Healdsburg E-Bike Rebate Program is designed to incentivize residents to switch to e-bikes for short trips that would otherwise require traditional vehicles. To qualify, you must be a Healdsburg resident and the e-bike must replace a trip otherwise taken by a vehicle. Each electronic account is entitled to only one rebate.

How to Apply:

To apply for the rebate, you are required to complete a rebate application and submit a Rebate application along with the proof of purchase of your e-bike. The rebate amounts vary depending on the type of purchase.

Rebate amount:

$700 for low-income customers
$400 for an e-bike purchased in Healdsburg
$300 for an e-bike purchased outside of Healdsburg
$50 for an e-bike conversion attachment kit

Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties:

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has introduced the Replace Your Ride Program as part of their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. The program is designed to help low-income residents who own cars replace them with newer, cleaner, and more efficient vehicles. The program has a maximum incentive limit, which varies depending on the type of vehicle. The standard incentive amount is $9,500 for hybrid, electric, and fuel-cell vehicles. However, the program has recently announced that the maximum incentive limit will be increased to $12,000 for zero-emission replacement vehicles.

How to Apply:

Before you can purchase or lease a replacement vehicle under this program, you need to be qualified by a case manager. The case manager will issue a Preliminary Purchase Authorization Letter that can be presented to a participating dealership. This letter confirms that you’re eligible for the program and that the voucher value will be applied towards the purchase or lease of the vehicle. Learn More: Replace Your Ride Program.

Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties:

The Monterey Bay Air Resources District is pleased to offer the Monterey Bay e-Bike Incentive Program (e-BIP) to residents of Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz Counties. Eligible residents who purchase a Class 1, 2 or 3 electric bicycles can receive a $500 incentive. This incentive is meant to encourage residents to make the switch to less polluting transportation.(purchase must be made on or after July 1, 2023).

How to Apply:

To qualify for this incentive, residents have to purchase their electric bike in a bicycle store within Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties. After the purchase, residents can submit their application to the e-BIP program. Eligible residents for this program include individuals whose income is at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines. In addition, MBARD also allows people who do not meet the income eligibility criteria to apply and determine whether they are eligible to receive the incentive.

Pasadena:

PWP’s new rebate program offers residential electric customers an incentive to make the switch to electric biking. To be eligible for this $500 rebate, you must purchase a new qualifying electric bicycle from a bike shop located in Pasadena. PWP is also offering an additional $250 bonus rebate for those who purchase a new qualifying electric cargo bike or adaptive electric bicycle. If you are currently enrolled in PWP’s income-qualified bill payment assistance program, you are eligible for an additional $250 bonus rebate, bringing your total rebate up to $1,000. With this program, PWP aims to provide support to those in need and encourage sustainable transportation options.

How to Apply:

Be sure to keep your receipt and proof of residence to submit with your application. You can submit an application online or by mail, and your rebate should arrive within two to four weeks.

Redding:

Redding, California, is a city that's quickly gaining a reputation for its forward-thinking approach to sustainable transportation. One of the most exciting programs that Redding offers is its income-qualified e-bike program, which helps people own electric bikes at a fraction of the upfront cost. The voucher is worth up to $1,150, which you can use to offset the upfront costs of your e-bike purchase.

How to Apply:

The first thing you need to know is how to qualify for the program. You must meet certain income guidelines and be enrolled in the Residential Energy Discount program, which saves you money on your monthly utility bill. If you meet these criteria, you can apply for a point-of-purchase voucher for an e-bike, helmet, and lock from a participating retailer. Check for More Information.

Richmond:

The Richmond-San Rafael Bridge E-Bike Commute Program was launched to promote cycling as a healthier, more affordable, and environmentally friendly alternative to driving. As part of this program, eligible commuters can receive a Standard Voucher, which offers an 80% discount of up to $500 on a new e-bike purchased from participating bike shops. Alternatively, for those with qualifying incomes, an Income-Qualified Voucher can provide an 80% discount of up to $1,000 on a new e-bike.

How to Apply:

To join the program, the first step is to fill out an online application. After submitting the application, you’ll receive a Voucher Code by email or text within three to five business days. Once you have the Voucher Code, you can purchase an e-bike from any participating bike shop. Check: Richmond-San Rafael Bridge E-Bike Commute Program.

Santa Barbara:

EZBike Project is a Santa Barbara County-based initiative supported by Traffic Solutions. EZBike aims to provide an alternative and cleaner mode of transportation; it offers e-bikes for residents and commuters in the area. The project also offers ebike training and free loaner bikes, encouraging people to try an e-bike out for themselves.

How to Join:

Participants must be residents or commuters in Santa Barbara County and aged 16+ (Class 1 and 2 ebike) or 18+ (Class 3 ebike). Learn More.

Santa Clara:

Silicon Valley Power is providing a 10% rebate on the purchase price of new e-bikes, up to $300. For income-qualified customers, the rebate value is even greater, with an additional rebate of up to $200 available. The program is open to residents of Santa Clara who purchase a new e-bike after December 1, 2020, until funds are exhausted.

How to Apply:

The rebate is limited to one per customer and only available for e-bikes with a maximum speed of 20 mph. The e-bike must also be equipped with a motor that is no greater than 750 watts to qualify for the rebate. If you meet these criteria, simply submit an application to Silicon Valley Power with proof of purchase, and the rebate will be issued shortly.

Santa Cruz:

Do you work in Downtown Santa Cruz or are you employed by the City of Santa Cruz? If so, you can save a lot of money with the Go Santa Cruz E-Bike Rebate Program! The program provides $800 rebates for individuals who qualify as low-income, and $400 rebates for individuals who do not.

How to Apply:

Fortunately, the program only requires applicants to have documentation verifying their enrollment in a low-income assistance program such as PGE Cares, Medicaid, WIC, CalWorks, or CalFresh. The eligibility criteria are flexible, allowing anyone who meets the requirements mentioned to participate in the program. Submit Go Santa Cruz E-Bike Rebate Program Application.

San Mateo County:

San Mateo County and the City of Los Banos offer a rebate of up to $1,000 or 80% of the purchase price, which will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis for eligible residents who purchase their e-bikes from participating retailers in California.

How to Apply:

Step 1: Complete the application

Step 2: If approved, we will email you a unique approval code and details on how to purchase your e-bike from a participating bike shop.

Step 3: Purchase your e-bike

San Francisco Bay Area:

The Clean Cars for All program is a program that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles by giving Bay Area residents incentives to opt for cleaner modes of transportation. Through the program, qualifying participants could surrender an older, high-polluting car, and receive a grant of $7,500 in funding. The funding can then be used towards purchasing an electric bike, non-motorized bike, or public transit.

How to Apply:

To qualify for the Mobility Card Program, applicants must be residents of the city or region where the program operates. Funds awarded for these mobility options are loaded onto pre-paid cards that are valid for either 30 months or until all funds are expended, whichever occurs sooner. Additionally, qualifying e-bikes must be equipped with fully operable pedals, an electric motor of 750 watts or less, and be clearly labeled as either Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3. To apply for the Mobility Card Program, applicants must submit an application.

California Statewide:

The California E-bike Incentive Project (CEIP) is a program designed to encourage Californians to adopt sustainable modes of transportation. By providing incentives for the purchase of electric bikes, the state aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promote clean transportation. The program prioritizes consumers with lower incomes, providing extra funding towards the purchase of eligible e-bikes for those with a household income at or below 225% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

How to participate in the CEIP program:

If you're interested in participating in the CEIP program, the first step is to check your eligibility based on your household income. If you meet the criteria, you can apply for the California E-bike Incentive Project and receive funding towards the purchase of an eligible e-bike.

Save the Planet with the freebeat MorphRover eBike

The MorphRover eBike is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, while also staying fit and healthy. The "Exercise to Earn" feature is especially impressive, as it allows users to generate sustainable energy while exercising. Every time you pedal the bike indoors, you're essentially generating CO2-free mileage. To illustrate, just 30 minutes of indoor cycling can generate sufficient energy for an outdoor journey of 10 miles. It's a clever and convenient concept that maximizes the value of every workout.

The freebeat company is aware of the urgency of taking meaningful actions toward environmental conservation. They have partnered with One Tree Planted to contribute directly to reforestation efforts worldwide. Every time you purchase a MorphRover eBike, you're not only getting a state-of-the-art commuting solution; you're also contributing to reforestation efforts.

Conclusion:

As you can see, e-bike rebates and tax credits are abundant and growing, with 2023 being a key year for the introduction of new incentives. Before making an e-bike purchase, research the relevant federal, state, and local incentives available in your area. Not only are e-bikes financially beneficial, but they also allow for greener mobility and healthier living. Get ready to hit the road with your new e-bike, while enjoying the incentives that come with it.