Electric bikes could get much cheaper under a new proposal from two House Democrats

Electric bikes could get much cheaper under a new proposal from two House Democrats

There are plenty of reasons to buy an e-bike. They offer all the benefits of a normal human-powered bike, but with considerably less sweating and much more utility. Plus, for certain people, they can replace car trips, cutting down on congestion and curbing harmful emissions. 

But one major hurdle to widespread e-bike adoption remains: cost. 

Although some manufacturers are taking it upon themselves to sell low-cost e-bikes “” Rad Power Bikes' new $1,099 RadMission 1 is an example “” by and large, high-quality e-bikes are out of reach for the average consumer. A new proposal from two House Democrats aims to change that. 

This month, Reps. Jimmy Panetta and Earl Blumenauer “” of California and Oregon, respectively “” introduced the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act, a tax-credit program that aims to spur e-bike sales.

The act would cover 30% of the cost of a new e-bike up to $1,500 and would apply to new bikes that cost $8,000 or less. The idea, they said, is to encourage people to take fewer car trips and ultimately reduce their carbon footprint. 

"E-bikes are not just a fad for a select few, they are a legitimate and practical form of transportation that can help