The best part? You’re not alone in this thinking. Neither are we. Governments the world over offer financial incentives waiting for claimants. Whether it's American suburbia, matchbox cities of the UK, or the narrow European streets, you could be leaving money on the table when you buy an e-bike.
Let’s go through them one at a time.
The United States
Image Via - Pexels/ Jimmy Padilla
Starting with the widest net you can cast, we found that a federal bill, the proposed E-BIKE Act, would offer a tax credit covering 30% of the purchase price of a new e-bike. This proposed bill may save you up to $1,500 on purchases under $8,000. However, individual states and cities are not waiting around for the slow cogs of federal bureaucracy to turn. They are launching aggressive, localised cash-back and point-of-sale rebate programs to put money back into your wallet immediately.
California offers a $1,750 voucher, which can go as high as $2,000 for low-income households statewide. This program covers classes 1, 2, and 3 of e-bikes.
Colorado offers an instant $225 discount at qualifying points of sale. However, Denver offers its own program that lets you claim a $675 rebate, which you can combine with the state tax credit for a total of $900 off your next e-bike.
Minnesota offers a maximum of $2 million in total rebates per year. For 2025, the latest information we found is that you can claim up to 75% of qualifying expenses, up to $750. This rebate also applies to accessories and safety gear for your e-bike. Watch out for a similar program in 2026.
New York City launched a trade-in program in 2025 to combat illegal modifications and the battery fires that came with them. Eligible participants could trade in their illegal products for a new Whizz Storm 2 e-bike, with a spare battery. Further, between March and September of 2024, food and other delivery riders could charge their e-bike batteries for free as part of a pilot program.
Residents of DC can save between $750 and $1500, depending on occupation and income level, to spend on e-bikes, accessories, and safety equipment. Residents of Connecticut can receive up to 2 $500 vouchers from retailers participating in the CHEAPR program. Vermont’s residents can save between $400 and $800, depending on their income level, to buy an e-bike.
These are just a few programs that we could easily find. For more in-depth analysis of each program, what it offers, when, and to whom, check out Ariel Rider’s dedicated page. It was a handy resource in compiling this list.
The United Kingdom
TfL Image - Santander Cycles Brixton
While the US works on federal infrastructure to bolster cycling, the UK has already done it. A national program, the “Cycle To Work” scheme, means your path to affordable commutes lies with your HR department.
Cycle to Work is a “salary sacrifice” scheme in which your employer buys a bike and gear for you, and you pay them back from your salary. Since you are paying them back before the government taxes your income and deducts your national insurance, you could save between 30 and 40% on a qualifying purchase. Recently, this program eliminated the £1000 cap, so you can now buy heavy-duty utility e-bikes as part of it.
The Welsh government funded a similar program between 2021 and 2026, in which the UK-based walking, wheeling and cycling charity Sustrans offered a range of e-bikes for free and on long-term loans to encourage more people to cycle. This programme also hoped to reduce the barrier to getting into e-biking, which it did successfully.
Similarly, the Scottish Energy Savings Trust offers completely interest-free loans spread over 4 years to incentivise micromobility purchases.
Continental Europe
Image - Pexels/ Walid Ahmad
Europe is the designated epicentre of e-bike research, design and innovation. Backed by the continent-wide “Declaration on Cycling,” member states incentivise riders using cash bonuses and lucrative tax incentives.
The French scrappage policy has been dubbed the most generous scheme in the world. If you swap your old gas-guzzling diesel for a cleaner e-bike or pedelec, the government will give you up to € 4,000 per person in each household. If you don’t have a car to scrap, the scheme may offer you up to €2000 for cargo bikes, and €300 for standard pedal cycles, depending on your income status.
Although Germany is the European hub for automotive design and manufacturing, the German government's steady shift towards electric vehicles and bikes is obvious. Under the famous “Deinstrad,” or “Service Bike,” program, employers lease an e-bike for an employee using pre-tax income, modelled on the UK system. The employee, however, pays a marginal tax of 0.25% of the bike’s listed price. The scheme significantly lowers the cost of ownership and makes insurance and maintenance seamless through corporate programs.
Belgium will pay you per kilometre. No, that’s not an exaggeration. €0.35 is the going rate per kilometre and is tax-free. The Fietsvergoeding, or Kilometre Allowance program, can earn you hundreds of kilometres depending on how long your daily commute is.
The Dutch have a blanket policy of adding 7% of the bike’s retail value to your annual taxable income, not to mention the gigantic investments into dedicated bike lanes and other infrastructure they’ve already made. Austrians can get up to €850 in combined subsidies, individually, or up to €1000 for businesses. Portugal has a permanent, ultra-low 6% VAT on all bicycle hardware and labour, lowering the barrier to ownership. Further, they offer €1,500 in direct cash back for cargo bikes.
All things considered, a quick search or two before pulling out your credit card may be all it takes to save on your next, first, or latest e-bike.
Like what you saw? Want to follow through? We have guides on which e-bikes to buy for various budgets; check them out. You can save a significant amount on them.
