We are calling for the New Zealand Government to provide a rebate for the purchase of an electric bike.

The Clean Car rebate has most benefited those who can afford to buy a brand new EV, whereas a subsidised electric bike would be accessible to a much wider range of people.

Electric bikes are one of the lowest carbon forms of transport available, and are far more efficient and environmentally friendly than an EV.  A typical e-bike has more electric range (usually over 60km) than a typical plug-in hybrid EV (usually around 50km), but uses a fraction of the materials and energy. Riding 100km on an e-bike costs a user less than 20c worth of electricity.  

E-bikes also provide many other benefits including improved physical and mental health, reduced air pollution and traffic congestion, and less demand for expensive parking, roading and fuel imports.

Publicly funded e-bike incentives are becoming the norm internationally.  There are dozens of incentive schemes for e-bikes in countries across Europe*. Even the United States is starting to roll out programmes, with one recent scheme in Denver so popular that 3 years worth of e-bike subsides were snapped up in just 6 months**

It is time for the New Zealand Government to support sustainable transport options for the majority of people.  

* https://ecf.com/resources/financial-incentives
**https://energynews.us/newsletter/denverites-snap-up-3-years-of-e-bike-rebates-in-6-months/

See more:

https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/24-01-2023/why-new-zealand-needs-an-e-bike-rebate