Labor ushers in taxpayer-funded rebates for electric scooters, bikes

The Queensland government will introduce a rebate for e-scooters and e-bikes to encourage commuters to become less reliant on cars and reduce carbon emissions.

After its electric vehicle rebate scheme closed earlier this month, the government has set aside $1 million for the new e-mobility scheme, offering $200 towards the purchase of new e-scooters and $500 for e-bikes.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport and Main Roads said the zero emission vehicle strategy, which previously provided electric vehicle rebates of up to $6000, was “driving” changes in commuter habits.

From Monday, eligable purchases of e-bikes will prompt a $500 rebate, and e-scooters a $200 rebate. Credit: AAPIMAGE

“The safe and proper use of these devices provides an affordable and more sustainable mode of transport, while encouraging people to be active in their everyday lives,” he said of e-scooters and e-bikes.

“The scheme includes detailed guidelines and connects applicants to important information about safe e-device riding and charging practices, to help ensure the safety of riders, pedestrians, and other transport network users.”

To be eligible for the rebates, newly purchased e-scooters would be required to have speed-limiting capabilities that kept their maximum speeds to 25km/h.

Newly purchased bikes would be limited to a maximum output of 200 watts for power-assisted bicycles, and 250 watts for electrically power-assisted cycles (EPACs), which require the rider to pedal to access power.

New data shows police collected more than $20,000 worth of speeding fines from 83 riders in the Brisbane region in the 11 months between September 2023 and August 2024.

Queensland hospitals’ emergency rooms have also seen a continuous stream of injuries from e-mobility device use, receiving 1326 people with e-scooter-related injuries last financial year, and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital alone admitting 480 patients.

Brisbane CBD Bicycle User Group co-convenor Paul French commended the government on the scheme, but said the rebates had been a long time coming.

“We’ve been calling for rebates for electric bikes and scooters since this zero emissions vehicle strategy was announced,” he said.

“It’s inequitable that the government hasn’t done this before this [point] because e-bikes and scooters are the real zero-emissions vehicles … and they won’t have to sit in traffic like electric vehicles.”

The move to make e-scooters and e-bikes more affordable follows recent dispute over rental e-scooters in Brisbane.

A Brisbane City Council investigation found Beam had released about 500 more e-scooters than it allowed, and failed to declare the additional profits, depriving council of about $330,000 in revenue.

The government was expected to release further information on the scheme on Monday, including further information on eligibility criteria and how to apply.

With an election approaching, the caretaker convention will limit Labor’s capacity to make major decisions from October 1.

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