Scotland launches subsidy scheme for electric bikes
The Scottish government wants to start an e-bike revolution as it allocates more than a million pounds in funding for electric bicycles and pedal-assist cargo bikes. The money will be made available in form of loans and grants.
Scotland’s government wants to encourage more people to swing a leg or two using an electric bike or cargo pedelec, particularly on shorter journeys. For this they have earmarked no less than 1.3 million pounds to become available to citizens, businesses and public sector organisations.
Says Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing: “We want more people, who undertake shorter journeys, to leave their cars at home and go by bike for the benefit of their health and our environment.”
The Low Carbon Transport Loan Fund will have £500,000 available for interest-free loans of up to £3,000 to help individuals and businesses purchase e-bikes and e-cargo bikes.
The E-bike Grant Fund will allocate £700,000 for local authorities, public sector agencies, community organisations, colleges and universities to encourage large scale e-bike adoption. It is expected grants will fund e-bike pools, secure cycle parking and safety equipment.
A further £100,000 will be available through the E-bike Grant Fund to let members of the public test ride e-bikes at Home Energy Scotland advice centres, active travel hubs and community centres.
A few countries have started to include electric bicycles or light electric vehicles (LEVs) in their subsidy policies lately. Among them is Sweden that plans to earmark up to 35 million a year for LEVs, including electric quads and trikes reportedly.
Austria also included e-bikes as well as pedelec rental system in their Mission2030 policy paper and funds electric two-wheelers with up to 750 euros.
Also in Paris electric bikes have been included in Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s decision to enable Parisians to get to work with zero emissions. Those wanting to buy a pedelec or electric cargo bikes in Paris may expect 400 and 600 euros respectively.
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