USA: Can I get a rebate for an e-bike? Our state-by-state guide
More and more states are offering incentives for e-bikes. Here are all the details
James Howell-Jones
Junior Writer
© GCN
E-bikes are becoming more and more popular each year, and these schemes could help you purchase one
E-bikes are electrically assisted bicycles that make pedalling from errand to errand quick and easy. Compared to cars, even electric cars, they’re fantastic for the environment, and they don’t take up anywhere near as much space in the streets.
E-bikes have boomed in popularity in recent years, with most bike brands and some car brands shifting more and more resources to designing and producing them. In fact, a lot of people believe that they’re the ticket to clearing our city streets of noisy, fume-belching cars. The problem is that e-bikes are expensive to buy, so they’re out of reach for a lot of people.
- Read more: How to replace your car with an e-bike
Thankfully, more and more individual states are setting up e-bike rebate schemes, that effectively give residents discounts for new e-bike purchases. Some of these schemes are already up and running, and many more are in the long process of being approved and rolled out by state governments. This guide is here to show you which schemes are available in each state and which schemes are pending approval.
Across the country, there are just five active statewide programs, with eight states due to launch a program soon. Seven states have a bill for an e-bike rebate pending approval, although it's worth remembering that it can take years for a bill to get voted through, and there's a good chance it will get vetoed at some point in the process.
If your state doesn't offer a statewide incentive, it's worth looking around locally. Some states have regional schemes put on by local authorities, city councils or even local electricity companies. We've highlighted as many regional schemes as we could find in the guide below.
How do the schemes work?
Although every scheme differs slightly, In most cases, the schemes that states and local governments offer are tax rebates that take around 20-30% off the price of an e-bike or e-cargo bike. Many states structure their schemes to give a larger discount or additional incentive to people with low incomes or facing financial difficulties, and all of them have a maximum rebate value, which can be as much as $2,000 and as little as $150, depending on the scheme.
The proposed nationwide tax credit
Unfortunately, there isn’t a nationwide scheme at the moment. A bill has been proposed for a nationwide e-bike tax rebate, but it could take years for the bill to get approved and a scheme to be put in place.
A bill to introduce a nationwide tax credit for e-bikes has been proposed in Congress, and there is hope from cycling and environmental groups that the bill will make it through the many stages of approval to become law.
If the bill is approved, it will allow American taxpayers to get a refundable tax credit of 30% on the purchase price of a new e-bike, up to a maximum of $1,500.
Read more about the bill here.
However, the bill is only in the early stages, collecting sponsors and supporters. For now, the discount options vary depending on where you live.
Which e-bikes can I buy through these schemes?
The specifics of each of the regional schemes vary, but for the most part, they all have the same criteria for which bikes are eligible.
In almost every case, the rebate or discount can only be claimed on the purchase of classified e-bikes, meaning fire-safe e-bikes that go no faster than 28mph with pedal assist, or 20mph with a throttle, and have no more than 750 watts of power. Almost all schemes say the bike must be bought from a bike shop from within the area, and most provide a list of approved retailers to choose from.
- Read more: Every type of bicycle explained
Note that for some of the schemes, you need to apply before you buy the bike, so it’s worth investigating the specifics of the rebate schemes in your area before you go ahead and buy a bike – you might not be able to claim the rebate by simply submitting proof of purchase.
Alabama - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Alabama.
Alaska - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Alaska.
Arizona - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Arizona.
Arkansas - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Arkansas.
California - statewide incentive launching soon, active regional incentives
There is currently a statewide initiative undergoing a ‘soft launch’, with the application window due to open to the entirety of California very soon.
Once launched, the program will give rebates worth up to $1,000 for regular e-bikes and $1,750 for cargo or adaptive e-bikes. Applicants with an income below 225% of the Federal Poverty Level or who live in disadvantaged census tracts will qualify for an additional incentive of up to $250.
The statewide initiative might not be fully operational yet, but there are loads of smaller, regional schemes in California. Regional schemes are operating in the following regions and counties:
- Alameda
- Contra Costa County
- Healdsburg
- Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties
- Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
- Pasadena
- Redding
- Santa Barbara
- Santa Clara
- Santa Cruz
- San Francisco Bay Area
Colorado - active statewide incentive, active regional incentives
The Colorado Energy Office offers a rebate scheme for low or moderate-income residents who want to buy a new e-bike and the relevant equipment. Moderate-income earners (household income between 80% and 100% of the area median income) can access a $500 rebate, and low-income earners (household income below 80% of the area median) can access $1,100. Both income groups can also get an additional $100 rebate for equipment and another $300 if they choose an e-cargo bike.
The cities of Denver and Boulder run their own schemes, which offer a higher rebate, but both are closed for applications for now.
Connecticut - active statewide incentive, but small budget dramatically limits access
Connecticut launched an e-bike incentive program in June 2023, offering a $500 standard voucher, with an additional $1,000 available for low-income residents. With the voucher, residents could buy an e-bike worth less than $3,000, provided it came with a warranty and a fire-safe battery. The program has an annual budget of $500,000, however, within days they received 6,395 applications, including 5,051 applications from low-income residents. Even with a last-minute budget increase to $750,000, they could only provide the incentive to 500 of the low-income applicants.
Delaware - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Delaware.
Florida - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Florida.
Georgia - no statewide incentive, active regional incentive in Atlanta
No statewide incentive is in place in Georgia, but in the capital, Atlanta, legislation passed in December 2023 to launch an e-bike affordability program, although the details of what that will entail are yet to be decided.
Hawaii - active statewide incentive
In Hawaii, residents can access a rebate of up to $500 or 20% off the price of a new e-bike or electric moped. To qualify for the scheme, applicants must meet one of the scheme’s criteria. Applicants must either: not own a car; participate in a low-income assistance program; or be enrolled in a school, college or university.
Idaho - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Idaho.
Illinois - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Illinois.
Indiana - no statewide incentive, regional incentive in Bloomington on pause
There is no statewide rebate scheme in Indiana, although the city of Bloomington has an e-bike voucher program that provides a point-of-purchase voucher of up to $1,000. However, in November 2023, the City of Bloomington closed the application portal due to receiving a very high volume of applications.
Iowa - no statewide incentive, active regional incentive in Eastern Iowa
There is no statewide rebate scheme in Iowa. Still, in Eastern Iowa, the Eastern Iowa Light & Power Cooperative offers members a post-purchase rebate of 25%, to a maximum of $150 for ‘outdoor battery operated equipment’, including electric bicycles. You have 180 days after purchase to submit receipts.
Kansas - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Kansas.
Kentucky - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Kentucky.
Louisiana - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Louisiana.
Maine - bill for statewide rebate passed into law, but rebate program in the works
There is no statewide rebate scheme in Maine, but in the summer of 2023, the governor signed a bill into law that would offer income-qualified residents electric bike rebates. The program is still in the making, and Maine residents who want to support the scheme can get involved with the Maine E-Bike Project, a community campaign to get the scheme in place.
Maryland - bill for statewide incentive pending approval
There is no statewide incentive for e-bikes in Maryland, but a bill for an electric bicycle rebate program is in the early stages of being passed into law. The bill is in the second stage of an 11-stage process, but if it does get passed, it will require the governor to allocate $500,000 a year for e-bike rebates in the annual budget. The plan is for the law to apply from 2025 fiscal year onwards.
Massachusetts - statewide incentive coming soon
There is no statewide rebate or incentive in Massachusetts, although there might be one soon. In 2022, the Massachusetts state legislature passed a bill for an electric bike rebate program offering rebates between $500-$750 depending upon income level. The Healey Administration say they plan to implement the rebates in 2024.to residents. The plan is currently being worked on to execute this program with the launch of the e-bike rebate program expected in 2024.
Michigan - bill for statewide incentive pending approval
There is no statewide rebate or incentive program in Michigan, although a bill was introduced in May 2022. It’s only in the early stages, but if approved, the bill would offer residents 90% off the price of an e-bike, up to $500. For low-income residents, the cap would be $1,250. The bill is currently in the House Committee on tax policy and would head to the Michigan House for a vote pending approval.
Minnesota - statewide incentive coming soon
There is no statewide rebate or incentive program for Minnesota, but there might be one very soon. The state allocated $4 million for a new e-bike incentive program, which is set to launch in 2024. The scheme will offer a sliding scale of rates depending on earnings level, with a maximum rebate of 75% for low-income residents, and a basic rate of 50% for anyone earning over $50,000. To be eligible, you must be a Minnesota resident over the age of 15, and must be a taxpayer.
Mississippi - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Mississippi.
Missouri - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Missouri.
Montana - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Montana.
Nebraska - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Nebraska.
Nevada - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Nevada.
New Hampshire - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in New Hampshire.
New Jersey - bill for statewide incentive pending approval
There is no statewide incentive for e-bikes in New Jersey, but a bill to commit $250,000 a year to a rebate scheme was introduced to the House in March 2023. If passed, the bill would require the Board of Public Utilities to establish a rebate program for e-bikes. The scheme would give up to $2,000 to residents, half of which would be given shortly after a bike is purchased, the other half of which would be given a year later, ‘upon receipt by the board of proof of use and continued ownership’ of the bike.
New Mexico - bill for statewide incentive pending approval
There is no statewide rebate or incentive program for New Mexico, although a bill was introduced in February 2023 to provide a $1,200 instant rebate for low-income residents upon purchasing a new e-bike. The bill has been referred to the Senate Tax, Business and Transportation Committee and Senate Finance Committee for approval.
New York - bill for statewide incentive pending approval, active regional schemes
There is no statewide rebate or incentive program for New York State residents. However, in May 2023, a bill was submitted to extend the existing ‘Drive Clean’ electric car rebate program to include e-bikes, calling the extension ‘Ride Clean’. The bill proposes that anyone buying an e-bike would receive an immediate 50% rebate, up to a maximum of $1,100. You can support this bill through the Ride Clean website.
Additional regional schemes exist in New York, including NYC’s trade-in program for delivery riders.
North Carolina - no statewide incentive, regional incentive coming soon to Raleigh
There is no statewide e-bike rebate or incentive program in North Carolina, but residents of Raleigh will soon be able to take advantage of a scheme from the Raleigh city council. The Ral-E-Bike program, set to launch in spring 2024, will offer residents a $500 voucher for e-bike purchases, with income-qualified residents set to receive $1,500.
North Dakota - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in North Dakota.
Ohio - no statewide incentive, regional incentive coming soon to Columbus
There is no statewide e-bike rebate or incentive program in Ohio. Residents of Columbus might soon be able to access discounted e-bikes. The E-Bike Incentive Pilot Program began in July 2023, giving residents $500-$1,200 towards the cost of a new electric bike. The council are using this pilot to understand the impact of such a scheme before rolling it out across Columbus. If it does get the full launch, applicants will need to live in the city of Columbus, be 18 years of age or older and have a household income of less than $150,000 a year.
Oklahoma - bill for statewide incentive pending approval
Oklahoma doesn’t have an e-bike rebate or incentive program at present, but a bill proposing a $200 tax credit for ‘electric assist bicycle purchases’ has been submitted to the Oklahoma State Legislature. The bill is still collecting support, and you can find information on how to support the bill on the Bike Oklahoma website.
Oregon - a bill for statewide incentive pending approval, active regional incentives
Oregon doesn’t have an e-bike rebate or incentive program at the moment, but a bill has been proposed that would give a rebate worth up to $400 to residents, and up to $1,200 for low-income residents.
In Ashland and Eugene, electricity companies offer customers rebates for e-bikes. The Ashland Electric Utility offers customers between $300-600, while in Eugene, EWEB customers can receive a $300 rebate.
Pennsylvania - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Pennsylvania.
Rhode Island - active statewide incentive
The Erika Niedowski Memorial Electric Bicycle Rebate is available to Rhode Island residents. The standard program offers 30% off the cost of an e-bike or e-cargo bike, up to $350. For low-income applicants, it offers 75%, up to $750, off the price of a new e-bike or e-cargo bike.
South Carolina - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in South Carolina.
South Dakota - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in South Dakota.
Tennessee - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Tennessee.
Texas - no statewide incentive, active regional incentive in Austin
Only Austin has an e-bike rebate program, provided by Austin Energy. The energy company provides customers up to $600 for qualifying e-bike purchases, and up to $1,300 for people in their Customer Assistance Program for those in financial difficulty. You have 60 days to submit an invoice from one of their approved dealers to claim your rebate.
Utah - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Utah.
Vermont - active statewide incentive scheme, active regional schemes
Vermont residents who earn a gross income of less than $60,000 (individual filing), $75,000 (head of household) or $90,000 (joint filing) can claim $400 for a new certified e-bike, or $800 for an e-cargo bike. Note, you can’t claim on a bike you’ve already bought. Once you’ve submitted your information, you’ll receive a prepaid debit card, which you can use at one of the approved retailers.
Other schemes, local to each area, are available in cities across Vermont.
Virginia - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Virginia.
Washington - statewide incentive coming soon
There is no e-bike rebate at present in Washington, but there might be one soon. Last April, the Washington State Legislature approved a new law to provide a $300 point-of-sale rebate for e-bikes, with lower-income earners eligible to claim back up to $1,200. The law allocates $5 million for rebates and an additional $2 million for e-bike lending programs throughout the state. It is expected to be available to residents in 2024.
Washington D.C. - expected program soon
Washington D.C. does not have an e-bike rebate program at the moment, but the district’s new Electric Bicycle Incentive Program is expected to start taking applicants ‘sometime in early 2024’. Lower-income residents can claim up to $2,000 on an electric cargo bike or $1,500 on a normal e-bike, and higher-income applicants can claim up to $1,000 for an e-cargo bike or $750 for an e-bike. Rebates are available for other costs associated with bicycle ownership too, like annual maintenance, a bicycle lock and a replacement battery.
West Virginia - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in West Virginia.
Wisconsin - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Wisconsin.
Wyoming - no incentive
There is neither a statewide nor regional incentive or discount for e-bikes in Wyoming.
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