Monday, July 27, 2020 11:00 AM

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.

“The popularity of e-bikes is on the rise and our government wants to encourage more people to purchase and ride these bikes,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “That’s why we are boosting the e-bike rebates for people and businesses. E-bikes are a much cheaper alternative to cars and are a safe way to travel. We look forward to seeing more people using e-bikes for getting around.”

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.

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.

“Through CleanBC, we are helping British Columbians to make the switch to cleaner transportation options,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. “With access to increased rebates, e-bikes are now more affordable than ever in B.C., which will reduce climate pollution and put us on the road to a clean energy future.”

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.

“People in British Columbia are leading the way in switching to clean transportation options. This CleanBC rebate program increases access to more active ways to get around,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “As more people get interested in active transportation, e-bikes are more popular than ever because they are easier for many people concerned about long commutes and hilly areas. Getting people out of vehicles and onto e-bikes reduces emissions, takes old and inefficient vehicles off the road and continues the shift to healthy, more climate-friendly transportation options for residents and businesses across our province.”

CleanBC is a pathway to a more prosperous, balanced and sustainable future. CleanBC was developed in collaboration with the BC Green Party caucus and independent MLA Andrew Weaver, and supports the commitment in the Confidence and Supply Agreement to implement climate action to meet B.C.’s emission targets.

Quick Fact:

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

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