By SDCN Staff
Sacramento, CA—On April 29, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will open its second application window for income-eligible Californians to receive up to $2,000 toward the purchase of a new electric bike (e-bike) through the California E-Bike Incentive Project.
Due to high demand, the December 2024 launch of the voucher program was completed in less than an hour. At one point, the online queue had nearly 100,000 people waiting, and it closed once 1,500 applications were reserved.
“The unprecedented interest in the vouchers shows there is a big need and strong interest in electric bikes in California,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB executive officer. “The growth of this technology is an important part of our efforts to make zero-emission transportation options available to all Californians.”
Potential applicants are encouraged to review the process in advance, including the income-eligibility requirements. This round will offer $2 million or approximately 1,000 vouchers to eligible applicants who will be selected at random to help ensure a fair distribution of vouchers.
The project will continue to collaborate and partner with more than 20 community-based organizations statewide. These organizations will provide outreach and application assistance to low-income residents across California to empower and inform hard-to-reach applicants who encounter additional barriers to program participation such as lack of access to a computer or high-speed internet.
Potential applicants must join a virtual waiting room between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on April 29. All individuals who enter the waiting room by 6 p.m. will be put in the queue in random order and have an equal opportunity to access a limited number of online applications. Up to 1,000 applications will be approved.
Once approved, income-eligible individuals can redeem the voucher from approved retailers for an approved e-bike at the point of purchase.
The California Legislature appropriated funding for the project to help reduce cost barriers to e-bike technology that can help replace car trips, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and lower transportation costs for Californians with low incomes. According to the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy, e-bikes can be a suitable alternative to car travel, particularly for shorter trips.
CARB designed the California E-Bike Incentive Project in collaboration with interested parties through an extensive public process. The California E-Bike Incentive Project is the latest incentive program to prioritize equitable outcomes so that low-income residents are not left behind as we move toward a zero-emissions future.
