Electric bike and moped rebate program rolls out

Program geared toward riders who have low income, don’t own a car or who attend school

The Maui News

Electric bicycle or moped owners who have low income, don't own a car or who attend school may be eligible for rebates under a new program that began Tuesday, the state Department of Transportation announced.

The rebates are available for new electric bicycles with a maximum speed of 28 mph or new electric mopeds purchased at a retail store after July 1 of last year. The total rebate per vehicle will be capped at 20 percent of the retail price or $500, whichever is lower.

The program was created through Act 306, which was passed by the state Legislature and signed into law last year.

"This program will enable families to reduce their cost of transportation, and benefit those who need help the most," state Sen. Chris Lee, chairman of the Transportation Committee, said in a news release Monday. "When you look at those who qualify for the rebates, they are already receiving financial assistance, college students, or people who don't own vehicles."

To be eligible for the electric bicycle and moped rebate, applicants must be 18 years of age or older and able to prove one of the following:

• That they participate in a low-income assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (also known as SNAP) or Section 8.

• That they do not own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels.

• That they are currently enrolled in school, community college or university.

"Wide adoption of electric vehicles, including bicycles and mopeds, will help move us toward our clean energy goals while filling a key gap in mobility for many in our state," DOT Director Ed Sniffen said. "HDOT will continue to support programs that encourage Hawai'i residents to use vehicles with lower emissions that enhance their transportation alternatives."

Sniffen also advised caution as more people begin to adopt electric bikes and electric mopeds, pointing out that there have been four electric bike or moped riders killed and 894 major crashes across the state since 2021.

The DOT advises that electric bicycle or moped riders wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet, avoid riding on sidewalks, avoid carrying passengers beyond the number of fixed seats and follow all traffic laws.

Applications for the electric rebate program are now open at arcg.is/1rvTTX2. To request a paper form, call (808) 831-7931.

For more details on the rebate conditions, visit hidot.hawaii.gov/hawaii-electric-bike-and-moped-rebate/.