If you have read any of my e-bike reviews here on WIRED (mostly favorites) you won’t be surprised to learn that my life has changed for the better, seven months ago when I bought one its own electric cargo bike.
My children go to school half a mile from our home in Portland, Oregon. Even in the worst weather, I still speeded up at the pick up time on Tern GSD, scoot through cars slowly to find a parking spot, hold my baby at the door and I’ll be home in 10 minutes. Convenience and exercise have helped me stay sober in a time when it seemed like little else could work for me.
I’m not lonely. Industry experts estimate that by 2020, about half a million Americans also bought ebikes, outpacing electric car sales by a two-to-one ratio. At this year CES, exhibitors such as Totem and Giant show off brand new bikes, while others like Bosch, Tern, and Carla Cargo introduced new ebike innovations such as integrated software and heavy duty electric trailers that small businesses can use for deliveries.
It only makes it more frustrating when the Better Rebuilding Act – which has just passed the US House of Representatives and is now awaiting action by the US Senate – introduces uncanny specific restrictions on federal funds. tax credit for electric bicycles. If you want a tax deduction for your e-bike, you can claim a 30 percent credit over 5 years up to $3,000 for a new bike, total credit is 900 dollars. This tax credit only applies to bikes that cost $4,000 or less. Of course, many electric vehicles – especially those built to carry kids and groceries – are much more expensive than that. It also shows anyone ineligible with a modified gross income greater than $75,000, or $150,000 for couples filing together.
These rules stand in stark contrast to the massive rebates for electric cars, which offer a simple $7,500 tax credit for a plug-in car, as well as up to $500 if the battery of vehicle made in the United States and an additional $4,500 credit if the vehicle was made using union labor. These discounts apply to trucks and sport utility vehicles up to $80,000. Sedans priced up to $55,000 are eligible.
It’s great that the bill has come this far. However, the $900 tax credit for an e-car is a small sum compared to the thousands of dollars you get from the government to buy an electric car. As a cyclist, this feels frustrating and short-sighted. To fix the climate crisis, we must confront our car addiction rather than feed it. We have to give ebikes and the entire bike industry the wholehearted support we give to cars.
Safe path
Under the provisions of the proposed legislation, my own e-bike would not be eligible for the tax relief. My Tern GSD S00 retails for $6,499. I was lucky and was able to find a used demo bike for less, but the price was still well above the qualifying $4,000 mark of the bill cut off.
However, I’m willing to pay that much for a bike that meets my specific needs and helps keep my kids safe. As a small woman, I find it essential to have a small bike that I can lift and move around with ease. Tern’s bike is compact enough for me to handle. In addition, Tern e-bikes powered by Bosch motors and Bosch systems are among the few e-bike drive systems UL certified for safety and fire hazard. Also, Tern’s bike is EFBE tested to stress and fatigue. Most e-bikes under the $4,000 mark don’t have these safety certifications, but for me, they’re essential. They made sure my pedals wouldn’t snap or fall off while I was going 20 mph and that my bike wouldn’t hit me or catch fire in my garage.
