"More than 100,000 people flooded the application site during the first drop of 1,000 vouchers last December. A second drop in May yielded a similar interest level. CARB's e-bike program, created by a bill passed in 2022, faced difficulties getting off the ground. It wasn't until 2024 that the agency began issuing $1,750 vouchers for a range of approved bikes to people whose annual household income fell under 300% of the federal poverty line."
"California is halting its landmark electric bike voucher program with no announcement and millions of dollars still in the bank, and transit advocates are frustrated that the money appears to be going to a program geared toward electric cars instead. But Kendra Ramsey, the executive director of the California Bicycle Coalition (CalBike), said she was told in mid-October that CARB would shift the program's remaining funds to Clean Cars 4 All, a similar incentive program for electric vehicles."
"I think that's really unfortunate that we're responding to the current federal situation by limiting Californians' ability to get really the cheapest and most economical, sustainable transportation option, instead of sort of doubling down and saying, 'We have this really low-cost option that opens trips up for more people, and then we also have this other option for people who need cars,' Ramsey said."
California halted its electric bike voucher program without a public announcement while millions in program funds remain unspent. The California Air Resources Board confirmed it redirected the e-bike program's funds as "a recent outcome of legislative direction." CalBike executive director Kendra Ramsey said she was told in mid-October that funds would shift to Clean Cars 4 All, an electric vehicle incentive program, and expressed disappointment that lower-cost, sustainable transportation vouchers were curtailed. The program, enacted in 2022, began issuing $1,750 vouchers in 2024 for households under 300% of the federal poverty line, with an additional $250 for qualifying applicants. Initial demand exceeded supply.
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