What Happened to the California E-Bike Voucher Program and What's Next

If you've been searching for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) e-bike incentive program, you may have noticed it's no longer accepting applications. Here's what happened — and more importantly, what options are still available.

What Was the CARB E-Bike Incentive Program?

Launched as part of California's clean transportation initiative, the CARB program offered vouchers of $1,000 to $2,500 toward the purchase of an e-bike. The program was designed to reduce vehicle miles traveled and improve air quality by making e-bikes more accessible to low- and moderate-income Californians.

Why Was It Defunded?

In late 2025, the CARB e-bike incentive program was quietly ended by the California Air Resources Board, which redirected the remaining funds to electric vehicle incentives. The program had been popular — perhaps too popular — with over 100,000 applicants for just 1,500 vouchers in its first round. Despite strong public support, the program distributed only about 2,100 vouchers total before being discontinued.

What Programs Are Still Active?

The good news: California still has several active e-bike incentive programs, some even more generous than the original CARB program.

Replace Your Ride — Up to $12,000

The Replace Your Ride program through the South Coast AQMD is currently the most generous e-bike incentive available. Qualifying residents of LA, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties can receive up to $12,000 toward a new e-bike when they retire an older vehicle.

Check if you qualify

Clean Cars for All (Bay Area)

Bay Area residents can access e-bike vouchers through the BAAQMD Clean Cars for All program, which offers up to $7,500 toward e-bikes when you retire a qualifying older vehicle.

Local Programs

Several cities and counties run their own e-bike rebate programs. These tend to open and close in funding windows, so timing matters.

What About the Federal E-BIKE Act?

The proposed E-BIKE Act would create a 30% federal tax credit (up to $1,500) for e-bikes under $8,000. While it hasn't passed yet, it has bipartisan support and could provide a significant nationwide incentive.

How 3KtoGO Can Help

We monitor every active e-bike incentive program in California. Our eligibility checker cross-references your information against all current programs to find every opportunity available to you.

Even if you don't qualify for a program today, new ones launch regularly. Join our waiting list and we'll notify you the moment a program opens in your area.

Questions? Call us at 760.333.0207 — we stay on top of every program so you don't have to.