Bring Back the BC E-Bike Rebate!

You Want an E-Bike? How about an E-Waitlist?

In 2023, BC Provided tax rebates of $350 – $1,400 for e-bikes to low income earners. The budget was for 9,000 people to get e-bikes and the program received 12,000 applications in the first 24 hours. 

The program started on June 1, 2023 and was supposed to run for one year. Instead, applications were open for just a few days before thousands of British Columbians were sent to a waitlist. 

Waitlisted for $350 for an E-Bike? Take $9,000 off an electric car instead!

BC provides up to $4,000 for electric car rebates and the federal government provides up to $5,000 for a total of $9,000 to anyone who buys an electric car. There is no limit to the number of grants. 

BC spent $6.5 million on e-bike rebates, meanwhile ICBC spent nearly $400 million on an insurance rebate, including $3.9 million just to administer and process the rebate. The Province and BC Hydro have spent hundreds of millions on EV rebates.

E-Bike rebates work

A UBC report found that when people bought e-bikes with a rebate, they rode an average of 30-70 km per week, and reduced their car travel by 30-40%. And the bigger the rebate, the more likely people were to buy an e-bike in the first place.^,

We say:

1. Bring Back E-Bike Rebates! End the waitlist. People should be able to choose an e-bike over an EV. If there is money for EVs, there is money for e-bikes. 

2. E-Bikes for All! Why are EV rebates for everyone but e-bike rebates are only available to people who can fill out forms the fastest? 

1. Families – A well-built family-friendly e-bike suitable for small children can easily run $6,000 – $10,000. We need e-bikes that will last, not end up in the junkyard.  Rebates should recognize that it costs more to buy an e-bike that can haul kids and groceries. 

2. No Rush – Get rid of first-come-first-served and let everyone get the rebate. 

3. Promote It – Not everyone is aware of e-bike rebates. BC should advertise particularly to First Nations, schools and parents groups, and seniors.

How to Help

1. Sign our petition!

2. Contact Premier Eby at premier@gov.bc.ca. Also reach out to your local MLA. Tell them how getting a rebate would change your life – by helping you reduce car dependency, spend less on gas and maintenance, get more exercise and outdoor time, or however you think it would make the biggest difference to you!