Using the E-bike Tax Credit: What Does It Mean?

E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular as a dependable, environmentally friendly, and versatile mode of transportation. The bicycle boom of 2020 saw an increase in the number of Americans cycling on both traditional and electric bikes. According to a 2020 report, e-bike sales will reach 130 million by 2023, generating approximately $20 billion in revenue. E-bikes may become more common in some urban areas as more bike lanes are added, and cities use e-bikes in their bike share fleets.

Better batteries allow for longer charge times, making more modern e-bikes a better investment than older models and, in particular, a regular bike. Electric bikes have numerous advantages, including being a low-emission alternative to cars or gas-powered four-wheel drives. E-bikes allow riders to get more exercise while also reducing emissions and traffic congestion. Two congressmen recognized these benefits and proposed the E-Bike Act in early 2021 to encourage the use of electric bikes.

The E-Bike Tax Act

On February 11th, 2021, Congressmen Jimmy Panetta and Earl Blumenauer introduced the E-Bike Act, which would encourage the use of electric bicycles, or e-bikes. The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act is the official name of the Act. The Act's purpose is to encourage the continued use of eBikes or electric bicycles by providing a consumer tax credit against income taxes.

The Congressmen support the use of eBikes as a mode of transportation that can increase distance, speed, and accessibility while lowering carbon emissions. Congressman Earl Blumenauer is also the Chairman of the Congressional Bike Caucus and a well-known bike enthusiast.

The Congressmen believe that eBikes should be widely available as a legitimate and practical mode of transportation that contributes to lower carbon emissions. Electric bikes have the potential to reduce car trips and emissions by offering a quick and dependable alternative mode of transportation.

E-bikes help people get around quickly and efficiently in urban and rural settings. They are also appropriate for all riders, regardless of age or physical ability. Even though eBikes reduce the strain of pedaling and physical exertion, they can still be a great form of exercise.

Electric bikes have been acknowledged by several congressmen and women as a means of eliminating cars from the road and reducing carbon emissions. They acknowledge that eBikes are a viable mode of transportation that keeps people moving, active, and connected while minimizing environmental impact.

E-bikes are more expensive than regular bikes, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 for some of the more expensive models. However, they have the potential to replace car trips for many people, with a recent study finding that if e-bikes replaced 15% of car trips, carbon emissions would be reduced by 12%.

According to a recent North American survey, 46 percent of e-bike commute trips replaced automobile commute trips. A more thorough review of European studies revealed that e-bike trips replaced car trips 47 percent to 76 percent.

E-Bike Tax Credit

Electric bikes have the potential to change the way we live by replacing car trips, encouraging cities to improve infrastructure, and reducing the amount of carbon we emit into the atmosphere. However, e-bikes will only be transformative if people can afford them, and most e-bikes are currently prohibitively expensive.

Certain American citizens would be eligible for a 30 percent refundable tax credit if they purchased an e-bike for less than $4,000. Those earning less than $75,000 as individuals or $150,000 as joint filers may be eligible for a $900 credit per bike purchased. The credit phases out as income levels rise, which appears to be a way to include lower-income earners who have historically been excluded from green incentives. The tax credit has a maximum monetary value of $1,500. It's time to rally behind this exciting new bill to make environmentally-friendly transportation more affordable.

Facilitating electric bikes makes them a viable transportation option for more Americans while also contributing to a national effort to reduce carbon emissions. The E-BIKE Act correctly positions electric bikes as a vital component of a more prominent solution to climate change and equitable mobility.

Electric Bike Tax Deduction 

Electric bike models costing $8,000 or less would be eligible for the proposed tax credit. The new bill would also provide incentives to taxpayers who ride their electric bikes to work. Employers could reimburse employees up to $600 per year if they commute by bicycle or e-bike rather than a car, bus, train, or other gas-powered vehicles.

Electric Bikes Eligible For Tax Credit

The bill defines qualified electric bikes as a "two-wheeled vehicle that is, among other things, equipped with an electric motor of fewer than 750 watts capable of propelling such vehicle." Except for those with 1000-watt motors, this definition will include the top electric bikes currently on the market.

All three types of e-bikes classes are eligible for the tax credit. The taxpayer must purchase the bikes in the United States, and the bike must also be brand new, not leased or purchased secondhand. According to the congressman, the credit would also be fully refundable, allowing lower-income individuals to claim it.

Individuals can only claim the tax credit once every three years, while joint-return couples can claim it twice. In addition, the IRS needs to submit a report every two years to understand how the credit is distributed by the income tax bracket and to account for equity in the future. 

Summing Up

The E-Bike Act, if passed, will make electric bikes more accessible while also benefiting the environment significantly. The price cap would apply to the entire electric bike line, making it easier for riders to switch to eBiking.

Having an eBike opens up a world of possibilities. There are numerous backcountry trails and difficult-to-reach hunting spots that our electric mountain bikes can assist you in reaching. It's challenging to find backcountry terrain that our electric bikes can't handle. With an eBike, you can explore much more than a traditional bike while also helping the environment.