eBike Program

DEEP launched the eBike Incentive Program on June 28, 2023. The eBike Program is currently focused on providing Point-of-Sale (POS) incentives to Connecticut residents who purchase an eligible eBike directly from a participating "brick and mortar" Connecticut eBike retailers.

eBike Program Update

DEEP received a strong response to this program that shows the significant level of interest in eBikes by people in Connecticut seeking another electrified mobility option around Connecticut’s cities and towns.

DEEP budgeted $1.5 million for three years of CHEAPR eBike Program incentives, anticipating $500,000 to be distributed in each year for purchases of eligible eBikes from participating Connecticut eBike retailers.

Applications

Round 1 of the eBike incentive program opened for applications on June 28, 2023. As outlined in the eBike Program Terms and Conditions, DEEP closed the application portal ten days later, on July 8, 2023. In total, the program received 6,394 applications, including:

• 1,343 Standard Voucher applications
• 5,051 Voucher+ applications

Applicants for the Voucher+ had three options to choose from to indicate eligibility: (1) residing in an environmental justice community (which in Connecticut means a “Distressed Municipality” or a census block group where 30% of the population is living below 200% of the federal poverty level); (2) citing categorical eligibility (i.e. participation in another aid program, such as Medicaid, SNAP, or CEAP); or (3) having an income at 300% or less of the federal poverty level. While applicants for the Voucher+ could in theory have met multiple options for eligibility, they only needed to indicate one.

Increase in funding

The demand for program funds far exceeded the initial eBike program budget that DEEP identified. To respond to the exceptional demand, DEEP has increased the first year of funding from $500,000 to $750,000. This level of funding for Round 1 will enable the program to issue incentives to the first 500 Voucher+ applicants.

Awards

In accordance with the program Terms and Conditions, the program first reviewed and awarded funds to Voucher+ applicants in the order received, until funds were exhausted. As all program funds were exhausted prior to awarding all Voucher+ applications, no Standard Vouchers are being issued in Round 1.

Notifications

Round 1 applicants began receiving notification emails on July 25, 2023, about their status. Voucher+ applicants who are receiving an award were provided with instructions for redeeming their vouchers, which must be redeemed within ninety (90) days of issuance. Applicants who are not receiving awards were notified that their applications were canceled, they will need to reapply for future rounds and will be notified about the next Round of eBike rebates before it opens.

Next Steps

After the voucher redemption period has ended, DEEP will evaluate the program survey data and follow up with several spot checks to ensure compliance with program requirements. We will also examine incentive levels and work with the CHEAPR board on how to approach our next round of funding for this program.

Sign up to the CT eBike Program mailing list for future updates from the eBike Incentive Program.

Program Overview

Incentive Levels

• Standard Voucher: $500
• Voucher+: Standard Voucher + $1,000 ($1,500 Total)

Standard Voucher

Connecticut residents, 18 years or older, can apply for and redeem a voucher, of up to $500, at a participating Connecticut based eBike retailer to reduce the total purchase price of an eligible eBike.

Voucher+ for Qualifying Connecticut Residents

Voucher+ (an additional $1,000 incentive) will also be available to Connecticut residents that meet any of the following criteria:

• reside in an Environmental Justice (EJ) community or Distressed Municipality
• participate in a state or federal income qualifying program
• have an income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)

Eligible eBike List

DEEP’s initial Eligible eBike List includes over 40 eBike models and many popular brands! More importantly, Connecticut is at the leading edge of eBike incentive programs by requiring minimum quality and safety criteria for eBikes in the program. Eligible eBikes must have at least a one (1) year warranty and either UL 2849 or EN 15194 certification for battery and electrical components. The list continues to grow as manufacturers release new models and will be updated as that information becomes available.

If you are an eBike manufacturer and would like to request the addition of an eBike that meets the eligibility requirements listed below, please complete the eBike Eligibility Application and email it to the Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE) cheapr@energycenter.org. An eBike must be approved prior to inclusion on the Eligible eBike List.

To be listed on the Eligible eBike List an eBike must meet the following criteria:

• MSRP less than $3,000
• 1 year warranty for frame and components
• Active UL 2849 or EN 15194 for battery and electrical components.

eBike Program Applications

The Connecticut eBike Incentive Program began accepting applications on June 28, 2023 and closed the consumer application portal on July 8, 2023. However, eBike retailers interested in participating in the eBike continue to be enrolled and should follow the steps outlined below to be listed as a Participating eBike Retailers.

• eBike Consumers use: www.DriveCHEAPR.org/ebikes-apply

Note: The eBike Incentive Program consumer application portal closed on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

• eBike Retailers use: www.DriveCHEAPR.org/ebikes-redeem

Participating eBike Retailers

The list of Participating eBike Retailers includes those eBike retailers that completed program enrollment. eBike retailers will be added on a rolling basis after completing and submitting a Participating eBike Retailer Enrollment Form.

eBike Retailer Enrollment

eBike Retailers interested in being listed as a Participating eBike Retailer must complete a Participating eBike Retailer Enrollment Form and submit the form back by uploading to this secure document upload link.

eBike Program Resources

eBike Frequently Asked Questions

eBike Frequently Asked Questions

eBike Program Implementation Manual

eBike Program Implementation Manual

eBike Program Terms and Conditions

eBike Program Terms and Conditions

eBike Retailer Flyer

eBike Retailer Flyer (EN)

eBike Retailer Flyer (ES)

eBike Webinar for Retailers & Residents

Watch this webinar recording to learn how to participate in Connecticut’s new eBike Voucher Program. Find out about incentive levels, eligibility requirements, and how to apply.

CHEAPR Board

CHEAPR Board Materials 

Additional Resources

National Institute for Transportation and Communities (NITC) + Transportation Research and Education Center (TREC)

• How Can eBike Purchase Incentives Grow the eBike Market?
• eBike Incentive Programs in North America: New Online Tracker
• UL eBike Certification

Safety Resources

• Bicycling.Com: eBike Safety
• Bikes Make Life Better: Safety Video

Archived Program Materials

eBike Request for Information

• eBike RFI Responses
• Summary of eBike RFI Responses
• Request for Information

eBike Public Listening Session

• Listening Session Recording
• Listening Session Presentation