Several U.S. cities are encouraging sustainability by providing rebates for e-bike purchases, aiming to promote clean energy and reduce reliance on cars.
Residents in Salt Lake City, Utah; Portland, Oregon; and St. Louis Park, Minnesota, can receive rebates of up to $1,300 when buying an e-bike, depending on their location and the model they choose.
Minnesotans were able to apply for rebates starting July 2, with the state and city making efforts to make e-bikes a more affordable transportation option, particularly for inner-city residents.
In Portland, Oregon, a similar rebate program will be launched next summer, offering financial support to low and medium-income residents interested in purchasing an e-bike, with 6,000 payments available over the next five years.
To claim a rebate in Portland, residents can obtain a voucher online and redeem it at authorized bike shops. The rebate amount may vary, with an additional $200 set aside for safety gear like helmets and lights.
In Salt Lake City, Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s 2024 budget included an e-bike rebate program, with residents eligible for rebates of up to $1,300 at five participating e-bike stores.
Residents must apply for the rebate through the city’s portal, operated through a lottery system, with the application deadline set for July 16 and rebate recipients to be notified by July 31.
Financial literacy instructor Alex Beene warns residents to only take advantage of the rebate if they genuinely intend to use the e-bike, cautioning against purchases that may end up unused.