British Columbians can get up to $1,400 off their next e-bike without having to scrap their car, under a new rebate program worth $6 million starting June 1 B次元官网网址� but the new program comes with a catch.
The top rebate of $1,400 is only available to British Columbians who earn less than $38,950.
According to 2021 Statistics Canada, B.C. is home to about 1.48 million people 15 years and older who earn less than $40,000, meaning that about one-third of British Columbians could eligible for the top rate.
This figure means that most people are either eligible for the $1000 rebate if their income falls between $38,951 and $51,130 or for the $360 rebate if they earn more than $51,131, with most people only eligible for $350.
Under the expiring system, all British Columbians regardless were eligible for $750 but on the condition of scrapping their car if it qualifies.
That scrapping requirement disappears under the new program, which costs the province $6 million, according to a government release. It says that as many as 9,000 people will be able to lower the cost of their e-bike purchases.
Michael Koski, executive director of the BC Cycling Coalition, said the funding will help those struggling with the cost of a car.
B次元官网网址淓-bikes make cycling accessible to a wider range of people, improve personal health and help smaller communities by making more people mobile.B次元官网网址�
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Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said e-bikes are becoming commonplace in B.C. as a convenient alternative to motor-vehicle trips.
B次元官网网址�(But) their price can put them out of reach for people. By making rebates available and basing the rebate amount on income, we can make e-bikes and clean transportation more affordable and accessible for everyone.B次元官网网址�
According to Electric Autonomy, a website tracking news around electric vehicles and e-bikes, a good quality e-bike costs between $1,500 to $2,000 with the market booming.
A February 2023 report from Market Research Future found the value of the global e-bike market is expected to reach just under $55.6 billion (US), up from $28.2 billion (US) in 2021.
B次元官网网址淔rom 2022 to 2030, the electric bicycle market in North America is anticipated to expand at the quickest rate,B次元官网网址� it reads. B次元官网网址淭he rise of the regional market is predicted to be propelled by the regionB次元官网网址檚 developing urban and tech-savvy population, as well as the regionB次元官网网址檚 growing number of manufacturing facilities and IT firms. Moreover, the US electric bicycle market had the biggest market share, while the fastest-growing market in North America was the electric bicycle market in Canada.B次元官网网址�
The Scrap-It Society will administer B.C.B次元官网网址檚 rebate program, one of five provincial rebate programs. Several municipalities also have their own programs.
wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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