California launches $2,000 e-bike vouchers for low-income households

(The Center Square) - The California Air Resources Board announced it is opening applications for its up to $2,000 electric bicycle voucher program for low-income households making up to 300% of the federal poverty line.

CARB says e-bikes, which have a battery and motor but can be operated manually, are supposed to be a “suitable alternative to car travel." A typical e-bike can go up to 28 miles an hour with a range between 20 and 100 miles.

With many top-rated e-bikes costing under the base $1750 rebate — an additional $250 in “priority” funding is available to households with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty line, or living in areas designated as low-income or disadvantaged.

For a household size of one, priority funding is available for those making up to $33,885 per year, while standard vouchers are available for those making up to $45,180 per year.

The $3 million funding available for the first round of the program is expected to fund up to 1,500 e-bikes in the first-come-first-served program, for which applications open at 6:00 PM PT on December 18. Qualifying households can submit as many applications as there are household members who are 18 or older.

The program can be used to purchase e-bike accessories, but only when combined in a single transaction with the purchase of an e-bike, which appears designed to deter purchase of accessories for resale.

E-bikes are stolen at three times the rate of regular bikes, according to ADS, a UK trade association representing the aerospace, defense, security, and space industries. With crime levels generally higher in lower-income neighborhoods, and e-bike insurance costing several hundred dollars per year — a potentially difficult expense for a lower-income household — it’s unclear how the state hopes to address e-bike theft concerns.

Participants also must own the bike for at least one year, unless the bike is stolen or damaged. Participants who resell the bike before one year are supposed to pay a prorated portion of the voucher back. Participants are also expected to fill out a survey one year after their purchase.

CARB says applicants who receive the voucher after committing fraud can be sued by the state for triple the received amount.