e-Mobility Rebate program: Tasmanian government paying up to 12 per cent rebate on e-bike, e-scooter purchases
Tasmanians are madly snapping up rebates on e-bike, e-scooter, and e-skateboard purchases after the state government launched a new program designed to promote active transport.
Tasmania
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E-bikes are being snapped up at a rate of knots across the state as Tasmanians take advantage of a new rebate scheme enabling them to save hundreds of dollars on personal mobility devices.
The state government’s $200,000 e-Mobility Rebate program offers a 12 per cent rebate on local purchases of micromobility vehicles.
Rebates of up to $250 are available for e-scooters and e-skateboards, up to $500 for e-bikes, and up to $1000 for cargo e-bikes.
Ken Self Cycle Centre owner Chris Riley said older Tasmanians were increasingly buying e-bikes and e-mountain bikes at his Elizabeth St shop since the rebate came into effect.
“It’s brought a few sales forward that people might have been thinking about [doing] later and later in the year but they’ve jumped on it while there’s still money available,” he said.
“Obviously more people on bikes is a good thing. The e-bike is a fantastic thing. A lot of people go riding [on e-bikes] who probably wouldn’t have [otherwise].
“I think for the average person, even just riding up from the [Hobart] CBD to North Hobart can be a bit of an effort. With an e-bike, they can do that.”
The program is currently in its second of four monthly $50,000 rounds, with the third round set to begin on January 17 and the fourth on February 17.
As at January 9, 109 rebates have been approved for payment from 149 applications, equating to a total value of $45,700.
The majority of these have been awarded in the South (54), while 34 have been received in the North-West and 21 in the North.
The bulk of recipients (92) have used the rebate to purchase an e-bike. Twelve people have bought e-scooters and e-skateboards and five have bought cargo e-bikes.
Verity Cleland, an associate professor at the Menzies Institute for Medical Research who works to effect positive change in active and public transport behaviours, said the increased uptake of micromobility vehicles would see more cars taken off the road and create social as well as health and wellbeing benefits.
“The more people that are out and about and moving in these ways, the more likely we are to connect better as a community. And that goes a long way to create well-connected and cohesive and safe communities,” she said.
Environment Minister Roger Jaensch said if there was funding left over after the rebate program ended, further rounds would be announced. It’s expected the full funding allocation will be exhausted this financial year.
“The Rockliff Liberal government is committed to supporting the uptake of low emissions transport options through its e-Mobility Rebate program,” Mr Jaensch said.
“There has been a high level of interest in the program, and it is progressing as planned.”
The rebate applies to any purchase of an eligible device made at a local retailer after November 17 and is open to Tasmanian residents over the age of 16. The program is limited to one rebate per person.
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Originally published as e-Mobility Rebate program: Tasmanian government paying up to 12 per cent rebate on e-bike, e-scooter purchases
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