WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — An e-bike tax credit bill similar to the one created in the House in February was introduced into the Senate last week.
The Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act (S. 2420) was authored by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Like the House bill brought forth by Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), the E-BIKE Act would offer consumers a refundable 30% tax credit on e-bike purchases up to $1,500. The credit would be allowed once every three years for individuals or twice for a joint-return couple buying two.
Both bills support the use of e-bikes as a zero-carbon transportation mode by making them more affordable and accessible for all Americans.
“We need to do everything we can to transition to a clean energy economy and that includes changing the way we get around,” Schatz said. “E-bikes have the potential to help us get there. We just need to make it easier for people to get on board.”
With Congress negotiating the details of an infrastructure package, a budget resolution and actionable climate policy, the E-BIKE Act offers one solution to reducing transportation emissions and expanding Americans' transportation choices.