FAQs
General Information
The California E-Bike Incentive Project is a statewide consumer-facing incentive program that aims to provide point-of-sale voucher incentives — for the purchase of electric bicycles (e-bikes) — to residents in disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households with an annual household income of less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,000 in incentives. Additional incentives of $250 are available for Californians living in either a disadvantaged or low-income community, or who have an annual household income at or below 225% of FPL. In addition, an additional $750 in incentives is available for cargo e-bikes and adaptive e-bikes.
The California E-Bike Incentive Project is in the developmental phase. CARB is working closely with the program administrator to develop and finalize the application process and to ensure all systems are ready for the highly anticipated program launch.
Eligibility will be limited to California residents who are 18 years and older whose gross annual household income is less than 300% of FPL. One incentive is available per individual.
Based on 2023 FPL guidelines, the following would be maximum income levels to qualify:
Household/Family Size | 300% |
1 | $43,740 |
2 | $59,160 |
3 | $74,580 |
4 | $90,000 |
5 | $105,420 |
6 | $120,840 |
7 | $136,260 |
8 | $151,680 |
The base incentive voucher amount is $1,000.
An additional $250 incentive is available for participants who either have a household income at or below 225% of FPL, live in a disadvantaged community as defined by CalEnviroScreen 4.0, or live in a low-income community as defined by Assembly Bill 1550.
Household/Family Size | 225% |
1 | $32,805 |
2 | $44,370 |
3 | $55,935 |
4 | $67,500 |
5 | $79,065 |
6 | $90,630 |
7 | $102,195 |
8 | $113,760 |
An additional $750 incentive is available for the purchase of a cargo e-bike or an adaptive e-bike.
The voucher amount may be redeemed for up to the total approved amount, with a maximum of $2,000. Incentives cannot be more than the total cost of the e-bike, any other eligible equipment, and any sales taxes associated with the purchase.
Incentive funds can be applied as a discount at the time of purchase towards the cost of an e-bike that meets program criteria, and e-bike related accessories including– helmets, bike locks, racks, fenders, reflective clothing, and any sales taxes associated with these purchases.
Eligible accessories must be purchased at the same time as the voucher redemption for the e-bike. The incentive voucher cannot be used in a separate purchase of e-bike accessories.
The full cost of the e-bike assembly is an eligible voucher cost.
Incentive voucher funds can be stacked with other programs that applicants may qualify for. However, these funds cannot be stacked with any other CARB led incentive programs, such as Clean Cars 4 All (CC4A). The total amount of stacked benefits cannot exceed the total purchase price of e-bike and other eligible items.
$7.5 million is available for e-bike incentive vouchers.
Applications will be accepted online on a first-come, first-serve basis. They will be processed with a hybrid needs-based methodology. Once approved, program participants will use the incentive voucher to purchase a new, eligible e-bike from approved retailers who will issue the voucher as a point-of-sale discount.
It is important to note that the California E-Bike Incentive Project is not a rebate program. Consumers must apply and be approved prior to purchasing an e-bike. No reimbursement for the purchase of an e-bike will be made prior to being approved for a voucher.
Yes, the program will create a $5 million set-aside for priority applicants.
- Priority will be given to:
- Applicants who either live in a disadvantaged community or low-income community, or
- Applicants who have an income at or below 225% of FPL.
The first $2.5 million of funding will be open to all eligible applicants. Once $2.5 million is exhausted, the remaining $5 million will be limited to priority applicants.
A waiting or reservation list will only be created if there is a short amount of time expected between when funding is exhausted and new funding becomes available. Information about any potential future waiting or reservation list will be provided on the program website.
No. Incentives cannot be applied retroactively.
You can email info@ebikeincentives.org with additional questions. We anticipate some delays in our ability to respond to questions while our team works through high application demand. We apologize for any delays and appreciate your patience.
Application Process
Applications will be accepted through an online portal on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applications will require basic information about the applicant as well as residency and income verification portions. There will also be included some socio-demographic and lifestyle survey questions that will be used as a baseline for future surveys.
The primary documents that will be accepted include:
- Current, valid California Driver’s License
- Current, valid California AB 60 License
- Current, valid California ID card
These documents must be issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
In the case that the address listed on the applicant’s primary documentation does not match the applicant’s current address, a secondary document will be required. Information on the acceptable secondary documentation can be found in the Implementation Manual.
Tax transcripts from the previous year are the most ideal for income verification. Applicants can request tax transcripts online from the IRS. Once you have an account with the IRS, you will have to make one with id.me if you haven’t done so previously, tax transcripts for any year that you filed are available for immediate download. These transcripts only display the last 4-digits of your SSN, so this is more secure than uploading a copy of your 1040 form that displays the full SSN.
If you didn’t file taxes, income verification documents will still need to be uploaded with your application. For more acceptable income verification documents, please see income verification documents guideline.
Please note that income eligibility is determined by annual household income, so all income earned by household members will need to be considered and documentation will need to be submitted for any income earning household member.
For more information on income eligibility requirements, please see section III. d. of the Implementation Manual.
After the soft launch period, we should have a better idea of application processing times.
Application processing times may vary and are dependent on overall application volume. Only applications with complete information can be deemed eligible after a review by the Program Administrator. If further information is needed to process an application, this may extend application processing times.
If further information is needed, applicants will receive an email requesting clarification on items that are missing, incomplete, or unclear.
Applications must be completed and resubmitted within 14 calendar days of being notified by the Program Administrator. Application processing order will be determined by when a complete application is submitted, not when it is started.
Upon approval, applicants will receive an email informing them that they have been approved. This email will detail further steps for the voucher redemption process, including e-bike eligibility criteria, approved retailer list, required education links, and approved incentive amounts.
Before redeeming a voucher, participants must complete a short 20-minute training course covering e-bike safety and environmental impact. These will be online modules that can be taken anytime, anywhere.
Yes, participants are required to retain their e-bike for a minimum of one year after purchase. More information can be found in the Implementation Manual.
Voucher Process
Once approved, program participants will be notified via email and will have 45 days to purchase their e-bike at an approved retailer (see requirements below). A one-time extension of 45 days may be requested in the vase that an e-bike is unavailable within the first 45-day window.
The incentive voucher will be redeemed at the point-of-sale by an approved retailer (see below).
The approved incentive amount will be deducted from the total sales price.
Approved retailers are established California-based retailers/brands.
A full list of approved e-bike retailers can be found here.
Participants must have their voucher id code from their approval notice and a valid form of id. Participants are also required to pay any difference between the sales price and the voucher amount, should there be one.
The voucher amount paid is not to exceed the maximum approved incentive amount or the actual cost of eligible purchases, whichever is less.
Any unused amount of the incentive voucher will remain with the Program Administrator as available incentive funds, participants are not entitled to the remaining balance.
There are financing options available. Approved retailers will be able to assist participants with this aspect of their e-bike purchase.
E-Bike Questions
Incentive vouchers can be used to purchase new e-bikes from established California-based retailers/brands that meets the following criteria:
- Class 1, 2, and 3 of e-bikes are eligible. (Classes are based on maximum speed limits.)
- Operable pedals and an electric motor of less than or equal to 750 watts
Equipment and manufacturer requirements:
- Must have integrated front and rear lights
- Must be fully assembled
- Minimum one-year manufacturer warranty on all electrical components
Please refer to our e-bike eligibility checklist for the full requirements.
A cargo e-bike must:
- be designed to carry at least one additional passenger OR designed to carry heavier or bulkier loads that standard e-bikes, and
- have an extended frame and a total length of at least 68 inches.
An adaptive e-bike is designed to meet the specialized needs of an individual rider who is unable to use a standard e-bike. This can be through changes to an existing two-wheel e-bike or a need-specific e-bike or trike.
Participants who are redeeming incentive vouchers for an adaptive e-bike may have longer processing times as each e-bike will need to be individually reviewed and approved.
- Used e-bikes
- Bicycles modified with an e-bike conversion kit
- E-bike conversion kit
- E-bikes outside of the three-class system
- Scooters and mopeds
There are no minimum or maximum purchase price requirements for e-bikes and eligible accessories.
