Electric bicycles, known for their low carbon footprint and eco-friendliness, have gained immense popularity overseas. Thanks to the growth in personal short-distance travel demand and government policies, electric bicycles are becoming increasingly widespread globally. However, their high prices have deterred many potential buyers. To make electric bicycles more accessible to a wider audience, several local governments in the United States, such as California, Texas, Vermont, and Colorado, have introduced subsidy programs offering funds ranging from $300 to $2,000. Many of these subsidy funds have been fully utilized and have proven to be effective in promoting electric bicycle adoption.
In an effort to further promote electric bicycles, the Atlanta City Council has approved a plan to provide instant rebates to Atlanta residents who purchase electric bicycles. Atlanta residents aged 18 and older can receive rebates of up to $2,000 when purchasing electric bicycles.
The U.S. government’s subsidy approach for electric bicycles is based on annual income levels. Three-quarters of the government’s rebate funds are reserved for individuals or households with incomes equal to or below 80% of the area’s median household income. For example, if a single individual earns about $54,000 per year or a four-person household earns approximately $77,000 per year, they fall within the median income bracket.
Residents who meet the income criteria and purchase standard electric bicycles can receive a $1,500 rebate, while those purchasing cargo electric bicycles can receive a $2,000 rebate.
Residents who do not meet the income criteria can still receive a $500 rebate for standard electric bicycles and a $1,000 rebate for cargo electric bicycles.
The Atlanta government anticipates that this program will subsidize the purchase of approximately 800 to 1,000 electric bicycles. The final list of participating retailers will be published on the ARC website.
Additionally, the city government has stated that the introduction of purchase incentives is just one part of its efforts to promote the widespread adoption of electric bicycles. They plan to undertake more infrastructure projects, including the construction of bike lanes, to address urban transportation and climate change issues.
