California renews e-bike voucher scheme
The new application window is set to be open on May between 5PM and 6PM local time – that’s just a one-hour long window to join a virtual waiting room. If potential applicants are in the queue by 6PM, they’ll be selected at random to access a limited number of applications. If they’re approved, they’ll be able to redeem the voucher at approved retailers for an approved model of e-bike.
Then, there’s the income eligibility requirements. To qualify for the scheme, applicants must be residents of California over the age of 18 and with a household income of 300 per cent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or under. That means for a single-person household, eligible income is below $45,180 annually while a two-person household must have an income of $61,320 or less. Once through the gates, applicants will also be able to buy one accessory with their bike – including a helmet, racks, reflective clothing, bike lock, mirrors, fenders, rear light, or a basket. Additional costs such as delivery or assembly fees and sales tax are also covered by the voucher.
The scheme is being run by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and to date has approved 1,022 vouchers totaling more than $2 million. CARB estimates that about 90 per cent of those vouchers have actually been redeemed. The existing grant funding is anticipated to run out by the autumn, with CARB set to seek proposals for a program administrator to run the next funding grant later this year. A third round of vouchers is expected to be distributed in 2026.
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