Californians Disappointed as State E-Bike Voucher Program Closes After Flood of Applications

Californians hoping to receive a state voucher to help pay for an e-bike this holiday season were met with disappointment as the California Air Resources Board announced that they were no longer accepting incentive applications. The E-Bike Incentive Project webpage displayed the message, leaving many residents frustrated by the process.

The program began accepting online applications at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, but within just 45 minutes, the application window was closed after nearly 100,000 applications were submitted. Some applicants reported issues with logging on, long wait times, frozen screens, and error messages during the application process.

Lys Mendez, the board’s communications director, stated that a fully staffed team handled the application process and addressed technical issues. She mentioned that problems could have arisen from using multiple devices under one IP address, not refreshing the website, or having outdated browsers.

Despite the challenges faced during the initial launch, Mendez assured that additional application windows would be announced in the coming days. The board plans to apply lessons learned from this experience to improve future application opportunities.

The goal of the program is to provide vouchers of up to $2,000 towards the purchase of an e-bike, with the aim of lowering the cost barrier for residents and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. E-bikes vary in price, with an average cost of around $2,000, according to REI. Consumers are advised to avoid extremely low-priced electric bikes, which may be lower in quality.

Steven Cliff, the air resources board’s executive officer, emphasized the importance of prioritizing equity and access in achieving zero-emissions goals through the incentive program. Applications were open to California residents 18 years and older with an annual household income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

Those with income at or below 225% of the federal poverty level received priority on the application list. The program aimed to support efforts in improving air quality and promoting cleaner mobility options through the use of e-bikes.