France might let citizens trade-in clunkers for e-bike subsidies

There are plenty of governments large and small who are beginning to recognize the importance of pushing for e-bike growth by subsidizing purchases, but it is looking like France is going next level.

According to an article in Reuters, France’s National Assembly is on the brink of voting for an amendment to a draft climate bill that would see the European nation offering up to 2,500 euro grant to buy an electric bicycle in exchange for the handing over of stanky-old cars.

The move would make France one of the first nations to offer the old vehicle for sweet e-bike or folding bike deal in addition to Finland. Although that particular Nordic country offers not just e-bikes but also subsidies towards public transit tickets or newer cars with lower emissions.

France’s move is significant in that it demonstrates that moving to cleaner and green cars doesn’t really solve everything. It is still a car after all.

Meanwhile, in North America, e-bike subsidies are also continuing to grow. Although the big news is of course the proposed E-bike Act that would offer every American a refundable 30-percent tax credit after buying an e-bike.

In the Canadian province of British Columbia, the provincial government offers a rebate of $1,050 toward the purchase of an e-bike upon the trade-in of a motor vehicle.

Beginning this year, the Quebec provincial government is offering businesses a $2,000 subsidy to purchase cargo bikes with electric assistance for online commerce, food proximity and local deliveries.

According to a receipt report, the global e-bike market is set to reach $48.46US billion by 2028.