Congress Resurrects E-Bike Tax Credit Proposal

A popular proposal for a federal e-bike credit is back in front of Congress — and this time, supporters have hard proof of concept that it will be the emissions-slashing, congestion-cutting, mode-shifting tool that Americans deserve.

On Tuesday, a coalition of lawmakers led by Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) re-introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (EBIKE) Act, which would provide up to $1,500 or 30 percent of the purchase price in refundable tax credits for new pedal-assist bicycles that cost $8,000 or less. For some low-income families, that means much of the credit would be paid back to them in the form of a refund.

Banayan is careful to note that bills like the EBIKE Act rarely pass as standalone legislation, and will most likely be rolled into a future tax policy package where it is likely to face steep opposition from Republican lawmakers, none of whom are sponsoring the revised version. Still, if advocates can send a clear enough message to their lawmakers that they believe in the power of pedal-assist, supporters are optimistic about its future.

“More needs to be done to ensure that everybody across our country has access to an e-bike,” said Rep. Panetta, in a release. “With its fully refundable tax incentives for those in the lower economic levels, the EBIKE Act is a commonsense way to encourage the ownership of e-bikes. By incentivizing Americans to own and use e-bikes, we are allowing them the chance to help improve the quality of life in our communities and tackle the climate crisis in our country.”