A $2,000 free cash incentive can make nearly anyone reconsider their mode of transport. May 29 will be a day for the e-bike user to reap the benefits of using an electric form of personal transport. However, unlike last year, this years e-bike voucher application will run much more smoother. Almost as smooth as one of the iconic e-bikes. California has long embraced the alternatively powered mode of personal transport. It is the only place in the world that has a working hydrogen infrastructure as well. This latest development has the rest of the country asking for the same incentives.
Why has California become the home of the e-bike revolution?
The entire mobility sector is keenly focused on finding an alternative fuel source for the industry. With the world’s major automotive manufacturers all committing to a net zero-emission future, some even going so far as to set a date for the step towards alternative fuels and a move away from the gasoline dependency. While the innovation takes place in the automotive sector, the inevitable effects make their way down the production line.
The latest trend around the world(not just in California) is the e-bike or electric bicycle. The cities of the world have become unwelcoming of the traditional car. Cities like London have implemented a congestion charge for any driver who wants to enter the city in a traditional internal combustion engine. California has embraced the “e-revolution” and offer a incentive for any purchase of an EV.
The system experienced some problems last year as nearly everyone who decided to buy an e-bike wanted to receive the incentive voucher. This presented some problems for the officials in charge of the incentive program. California is seen as the standard for the rest of the country to strive to. Their emission goals and incentive programs encourage the use of alternative fuels, no doubt due to the iconic smog in Los Angeles.
What does the California incentive program mean for me and my e-bike?
The application deadline for this year is May 29. The people in California who chose to purchase an e-bike will have the opportunity to claim a $2,000 voucher from the local government. However, there are a few requirements for the application to be successful. Chief among those is your federal poverty level (FPL). If this number is below 300%, then you can apply.
The application process works the same as last year with a few small changes. The application time has been extended, not to mention that last year the system had 100,000 applicants, most of whom were denied on their federal poverty level. California’s e-bike incentive project encourages e-bike users who do not qualify to search for local e-bike programs instead.
The program has stated that the more applications they have to sort through, the less money is available for vouchers. The applications will open at 5pm and the system will use a randomized selection program. So even if you apply five minutes before the cutoff, you could still be selected for a voucher. While the rest of the world are focused improving personal mobility, California have incentivized it.
Will the rest of the United States incentivize the e-bike user like California?
The personal mobility sector has experienced an electric evolution in the recent years. This incentive voucher is another statement that the state of California is still the best example of a future without traditional power like gasoline. The question becomes, can the major cities in the United States follow their example and attempt to incentivize their residents to leave their car at home and use electric modes of transport that is not so harmful to our planet. We can only wait and see what the outcome will be.
