CT DEEP's CT CHEAPR electric vehicle (EV) incentive program recorded 6,394 applications during the short 10 day window after the program kickoff in July 2023. Due to inadequate funding for e-bike incentives, only 500 (8%) of those applications will be fulfilled this year.
This e-bike funding limitation was set by CT DEEP and is not legislatively defined. CT DEEP's plan at this point is $750k in funding for e-bike incentives in the first year. Assuming the annual funding level is $500k in 2024 & 2025, that would total $1.75 million toward e-bike incentives. In parallel, CT DEEP has planned $13.8 million for EV car incentives during the same three year period.
E-bikes have 1/72nd the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of EV cars due to their lower weight, much smaller batteries, and reduced stress on public infrastructure (
source). Compared to heavy automobiles, e-bikes create very little brake dust and tire particulate air pollution. E-bikes do not require custom charging stations, and they better fit into cities and town centers. E-bikes replace car trips while increasing user health/fitness and local air quality. The affordability of e-bikes (with an incentive) is much more accessible to low- and middle-income residents.
If you are a Connecticut resident, you can fill out this survey and petition to ask CT DEEP, the CT CHEAPR Advisory Board, and Governor Ned Lamont to increase the portion of electric vehicle incentive funding that goes to effective e-bike incentives. Marginal improvements are not enough to tackle the Climate Emergency. Getting more e-bikes into CT communities is a big step in the right direction. We shouldn't take tiny steps when addressing the biggest challenge of our generation.
This Petition Asks:
- E-Bike Incentives should be at least 30% of the total electric vehicle funding for the 2023 to 2025 CT CHEAPR budget. E-bikes are more effective at reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector. At the same time, e-bikes are much more affordable and can equitably serve cities and communities where unhealthy automotive air pollution has been historically concentrated.
- Adjust E-Bike and EV Car Incentive Levels: E-Bike prices are coming down as more manufacturers compete. The e-bike incentives should be reduced in the next application window to a $400 baseline and $800 Voucher+ add-on. That would be a maximum $1,200 e-bike voucher for low income and geographically qualified applicants. With the current 3-year CHEAPR budget, 30% of available funds for e-bikes, and $1,200 e-bike vouchers, the program would reach 3,887 Voucher+ applicants, many more than the current plan. Just as e-bicycle incentives need adjustment, CT DEEP and the CHEAPR Board should reduce EV car rebates not going to low-income recipients.
- When Fulfilling Voucher+ Incentives Prioritize Low-Income Households: Before the 2nd round of applications is opened, update the eBike Program Terms and Conditions to first fulfill applicants that participate in a state or federal income qualifying program or have an income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. These are the applicants that most need an incentive to purchase an e-bike. To extend the program to as many households as possible, each housing unit should be limited to one e-bike incentive during the 2023-2025 program years - with an exception for those living in congregate housing or experiencing homelessness.
- Increase the Purchase Price Cap & Identify Additional Funding: CT DEEP and the CHEAPR Board should work with legislators in 2024 & 2025 to increase the price cap on qualified e-bikes to $5,000 so that family-style and small package delivery cargo e-bikes (e-cargo bike example 1 and example 2) are included. CT DEEP and the CHEAPR Board should also work with the CT State Legislature to secure climate action funds to fulfill ALL e-bike incentive applications.
Thank you for participating in this petition and for sharing this with your neighbors and others in your network.
