
Electric Bicycle (eBike) Incentive Program
eBike Program Update
DEEP has updated information regarding the eBike Incentive Program. Please refer to the information below for the most up to date eBike program information.
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.
Questions?
Do you have questions about applying for the Connecticut eBike Incentive Program, required supporting documents or program eligibility? The answers to these questions and many others can be found in the resources provided on this page and in our eBike Program Frequently Asked Questions document.
Need additional assistance?
Please contact the eBike Program Administrator, Center for Sustainable Energy (CSE), at 855-704-6350 or cheapr@energycenter.org for all program inquiries.
Program staff are available from 8 am-5 pm ET to answer your questions, with 24-hour voicemail access.
eBike Email List
Sign-up to the CT eBike Program mailing list to receive information and updates about the program! Stay tuned for more program developments.
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.
Note: You must apply for your voucher through the eBike Incentive Program platform prior to making your eBike purchase.
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)
Note: Prequalification through the eBike Incentive Program platform is required prior to purchase.
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
- eBike Retailers use: www.DriveCHEAPR.org/ebikes-redeem
Note: The eBike Incentive Program consumer application portal closed on Saturday, July 8, 2023.
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.
Note: Only use the secure document upload link to submit a Participating eBike Retailer Enrollment Form. Do not submit the completed form containing ACH information to the Program Administrator (CSE) or DEEP via email.
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
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
Archived Program Materials
eBike Request for Information
eBike Public Listening Session
Content last updated July 25, 2023