E-bike rebate program

E-bike rebate program open April 9 through April 23

Washington state is proud to deliver WE-bike, an instant rebate program that helps Washington residents purchase certain cycling equipment and electric bicycles, also called e-bikes. 

People across the state can apply online for one of these instant rebates through a dedicated application website. The application is open from 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, through noon Wednesday, April 23. More than $4 million is available for instant rebates of either $300 or $1,200 per person.

On this page you’ll learn about:

• Rebate program eligibility
• Using your instant rebate
• Other ways to try e-bikes or participate in research

This program is accepting applications

A link to apply for a rebate is available on the dedicated application website until noon Wednesday, April 23. Rebates are randomly awarded and are not first come, first served: You can apply at any point in the two-week application window and have the same chance of being selected.

Program funding

This grant program is entirely funded through Climate Commitment Act revenues. The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs and improving public health.

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Rebate program eligibility 

You must meet these requirements to receive an instant rebate:

• Reside in Washington state
• Be at least 16 years old

You must also provide contact information when you apply, including:

• A physical address or alternative way of proving Washington residency
• An email address
• A phone number
• Demographic information

Qualifying applicants will receive rebates for either $1,200 or $300. 

• Income-qualifying applicants are people who have a pre-tax household income at-or-below 80 percent of their county-area median income (also known as AMI).
• WE-Bike developed an AMI guide (PDF 336KB) to help you figure out if you may be income-eligible.
• A household is limited to one e-bike rebate. A household is a group of people who file taxes together.
• Applicants who meet the income qualifications are eligible to receive the $1,200 rebates. Everyone else is eligible for the $300 rebates. 

You can apply the rebate toward eligible e-bikes, bike helmets, bike lights, bike locks and any maintenance agreement purchased at the same time as the e-bike.

There are three classes of e-bike: Classes 1, 2 and 3. Washington state defines e-bikes and their classes based on their style of motor and their maximum speed (RCW:46.04.169).

You may apply the rebate toward purchasing any eligible e-bikes, e-trikes, or adaptive bikes in any of these classes. E-mountain bikes are not eligible.

A list of eligible e-bike makes and models that meet safety criteria will be available on our vendor APTIM’s dedicated program website soon.

Using your instant rebate 

Instant rebates are rebates that apply to the total cost of a purchase as you make it. 

You must apply the rebate toward an e-bike, but can also apply it to accessories and maintenance plans purchased at the same time as the e-bike.

We expect to give out about 10,000 vouchers.

 Of those, 60% will go to low-income households. There are about 3 million households in the state, and each household is limited to one rebate.

You can only use rebates at specific bike shops.

You can review a map of eligible bike shops. A list of eligible bike models and the map of eligible bike shops will also be listed on the upcoming application website. There are more than 100 eligible bike shops across the state.

The instant rebates can only be used for one transaction.

Rebate recipients can apply the rebate toward multiple items in addition to an e-bike, but they must purchase them all at once. The rebates cannot be applied retroactively. 

The application window will be open for two weeks.

When the program launches in April, you will have two weeks to complete an online application on a program website managed by our vendor APTIM. The website will be available in English and Spanish.

APTIM will send you the rebate via email. You can then redeem it during a single transaction at a participating bike shop. 

A helpline will be available in English and Spanish for navigating the application process.

Rebates must be used within 45 days of receipt or by June 30, whichever comes soonest.

As soon as you receive your rebate, you will be able to use it on any qualifying purchases at participating bike shops. All rebates must be used by June 30. 

Other ways to try e-bikes or participate in research

University of Washington E-bike research

Local researchers want your help understanding how people use e-bikes. When you apply for an instant rebate through the WE-Bike program, you will have the option of joining a research project affiliated with the University of Washington’s Sustainable Transportation Lab. These researchers have already published a general policy brief (PDF 704KB) that helped us develop our instant rebate program.   

The research will evaluate the WE-Bike program by analyzing user survey results.

E-bike lending library pilot program

While many people are interested in e-bikes, not everyone will be able to receive a rebate through the WE-Bike program. People also may not be ready or able to purchase e-bikes for various reasons. 

When the Washington State Legislature passed legislation funding for the WE-Bike program, it also funded the development of e-bike lending library and ownership grant programs. These programs are not yet available, but we will provide more information about them as this changes.

Organizations will be able to apply for grants to develop local e-bike libraries and loan-to-own programs. We may accept grant applications from other state entities, local governments and tribal governments that run, or plan to run, versions of these to make it easier for low-income residents, members of overburdened communities, or their staff to drive less.

If you want to learn more about establishing an e-bike lending library and meet the criteria of a Tribe, government entity or non-profit, please email adele.peers@wsdot.wa.gov.