Cargo e-bikes. BC Gov image, Flickr

The Province is increasing e-bike rebates for individuals and businesses to help make electric-powered bikes more affordable and accessible, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

People who trade-in a vehicle to scrap now have access to a rebate of $1,050 toward the purchase of any type of new e-bike — an increase of $200 from the previous year. The rebate is delivered through the Scrap-It transportation options program. The ministries of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure are providing $1,000 toward the rebate, with participating retailers providing the remaining $50.

The additional rebates through the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure are available until summer 2021.

In addition, the Province is introducing a one-year pilot project that enables a rebate of up to $1,700 for business owners toward the purchase of a cargo e-bike. This will provide eligible businesses with up to one-third of the purchase price. Businesses may purchase up to five cargo e-bikes through this program.

Cargo e-bikes are particularly efficient in delivering materials and goods around the community in a way that reduces operating costs for businesses. They also help reduce large van and truck traffic, and emissions from the movement of goods in community centres.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is contributing $750,000 toward the two e-bike rebates over two years. The Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources has contributed $750,000 toward the Scrap-It program and $2.5 million toward the Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive Program.

Exploring more ways to support increased e-bike usage for people and businesses are commitments the ministry introduced in Move. Commute. Connect., B.C.’s Active Transportation Strategy. The strategy is part of CleanBC, a plan to help transform how people move around while also encouraging more active transportation in communities.

Learn More:

• For information on the Scrap-It program, visit: https://scrapit.ca/
• For information on the Specialty-Use Vehicle Incentive Program, visit: https://pluginbc.ca/suvi/
• For the Province’s Go Electric Incentive Program, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/cleanenergyvehicleprogram
• Learn more about B.C.’s strategy for more active transportation: https://cleanbc.gov.bc.ca/active