Study of CleanBC E-bike rebate program finds good value

In summer 2023 the Province of BC’s CleanBC initiative introduced a rebate program towards the purchase of a new e-bike. The ongoing program’s primary goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by getting people to use an ebike for a particular trip rather than their vehicle. As the price of an e-bike can be a significant barrier for many households, the rebates are offered on a sliding scale dependent on income. At the time it was introduced, the program was so popular that the funding ran out faster than Taylor Swift tickets. It has since been re-funded, and there is a wait list available.

Following the first round of rebates, researchers from Simon Fraser University, UBC, and UVic partnered to study the results of the program. What they found will inform future rebate programs here and around the world.

The study surveyed 1000 recipients of rebates from all income tiers.

In terms of new e-bike adoption:

• 58% of recipients would otherwise not have purchased an e-bike.
• Rebates were more effective when received by lower-income households.

As for changing travel habits:

• Before purchase e-biking was 7km/week, or 5% of their weekly travel, afterwards 46km/week, or 29%
• Before purchase auto travel was 101km/week, or 56% of their weekly travel, afterwards 84km/week, or 44%
• Travel related costs were reduced by 12%, emissions by 17% and physical activity went up 13%
• 69% of e-biking trips were for reasons other than exercise or leisure
• E-biking replaced vehicle travel in 38% of mode-shifted trips. 16% were new trips that would not have been taken.

Total Impacts – province wide, program recipients

• Added 5,000,000 Km of additional e-bike travel
• Traveled 3,000,000 Km less by automobile
• 1,000 less tonnes of CO2 emissions were generated
• $8.7M in new retailer revenue

The study’s recommendations:

• Continue the rebate program, and consider benefits beyond CO2 reduction.
• Continue income-qualified rebates, but use total household income rather than personal income.
• Strongly target moderately low-income households to balance e-bike uptake and auto reduction, as higher-income households reduced their auto use more, while low-income households did more e-biking overall.

You can view the full report here.

As of May 2025, the province of BC has suspended the CleanBC program while it performs an external audit. The audit will look at whether the current program offerings are producing the desired results of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Capital Bike believes that CleanBC’s e-bike rebates and Active Transportion infrastructure grants are critical tools to help BC communities meet their GHG reduction targets.

What can you do to help?

• Sign up for our Advocacy Mailing List at the bottom of this or any page on our site. We’ll let you know if we need to persuade the Province into keeping the CleanBC program alive
• Tell us how the e-bike rebate program or Active Transportation investments have changed your travel habits or lifestyle.