Federal E-Bike Rebate Bill Reintroduced

The bill, part of an effort to encourage active transportation for short trips and take cars off U.S. roads, would cover 30 percent of the cost of an electric bike.

1 minute read

March 23, 2023, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Close-up of person sitting on electric bike

FREEPIK2 / Electric bike

“U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Congressional Bike Caucus Chairman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Adam Schiff (CA-30) reintroduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act to encourage the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes, through a consumer tax credit,” announces a press release from Rep. Panetta’s office. 

The tax credit would cover 30 percent of the cost of an e-bike up to $1,500 and be fully refundable. According to Rep. Panetta, “With its fully refundable tax incentives for those in the lower economic levels, the E-BIKE Act is a commonsense way to encourage the ownership of e-bikes. By incentivizing Americans to own and use e-bikes, we are allowing them the chance to help improve the quality of life in our communities and tackle the climate crisis in our country.”

In lieu of a federal credit, Denver, Colorado launched its own wildly popular e-bike rebate program in 2022. “The program was estimated to have cut 2,040 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 and saved nearly $1 million in avoided fuel and electricity costs, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute.”

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 in Congressman Jimmy Panetta

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

September 16, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

Geese flock to a frozen pond in Aurora, Colorado. There are houses in the background.

Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing

The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.

September 17, 2026 - Capital & Main

Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh delivers remarks at his swearing-in ceremony in the East Room of the White House.

Raised interest rates may kill financially vulnerable construction projects

The chief economist at ConstructConnect warns that if construction project owners are negatively impacted by the raised rates, it could result in delayed payments to contractors.

4 seconds ago - Construction Dive

Aerial drone picture of a massive hyperscale Google data center campus with cooling steam rising from industrial cooling systems, located along the Columbia River.

Data centers are consuming nearly 25% of Oregon’s power

The state has 111 data centers, with 32 more either planned or under construction.

1 hour ago - OPB

A manufactured house on the back of a truck driving down a road.

A third of Texas cities must update their zoning codes to comply with new housing law

Texas municipalities are now required to allow manufactured housing in at least one residential zoning district.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.