Frequently Asked Questions

Can I email you to ask for an exception to any of the policies?
No exceptions to the policies will be considered regardless of the circumstances.

Who is eligible for this rebate?
Every resident of BC who is on our waitlist, who receives and invitation to apply, and who is 19 years of age or older (reference the BC Age of Majority Act).

What is net income? How do I find my net income?
It is the income recorded on line 23600 of your Notice of Assessment. A visual example is on this page, scroll half way down to the red arrow.

If this program has “relaunched” why don’t I see the application link on the website?
Those who are registered on the waitlist will be invited to apply. Invitations will be sent by email. The email invitations will have an application link in them.

What is the process?
Visit our 4 easy steps page for details.

Why do I have to apply and get approved first?
Assuming you were on our waitlist and received an invitation to apply, the approval process confirms the income requirement for the rebate, tracks the rebate expenditures for the program, and holds the funds for you while you shop for your new e-bike. Once you are approved, you are guaranteed a rebate (provided you follow the remaining steps and submit a valid and complete claim within the required timeframe).

How long do I have to purchase an e-bike?
Once you have been approved, you must follow the process outlined in your approval email. Visit our 4 easy steps page for details.

Am I on the waitlist? I added my name but didn’t receive a confirmation email.
Yes. If you completed the form and clicked submit you are on the list. The waitlist was not designed to send confirmation emails. Once you click “submit” and see the confirmation page, that is your confirmation that you are on the waitlist. We have added a note to the waitlist to indicate that you will not receive a confirmation email (you will only see a confirmation page).

How will the waitlist be managed?
On a first-come-first-served basis, just like the application, and claim process. If a rebate becomes available for you, we will notify you by email. Please make sure our email address (shown below) is on your safe senders list. We cannot be responsible for email invitations that end up in spam folders.

Where am I on the waitlist?
There is a very large number of BC residents on our waitlist, and unfortunately, we cannot reply to emails asking about your exact placement on the list.

Can I still put my name on the waitlist?
Yes, you can use this link to add your name to the waitlist. Please remember that being on the waitlist does not guarantee you will receive an invitation to apply or a rebate.

How many people are on the waitlist?
There are currently more people registered on the waitlist than there is available funding.

What are my chances of getting an invitation to apply?
We cannot calculate this as we are not able to predict the net income of each person registered on the list.

Should I buy an e-bike while I’m on the waitlist just in case?
No. Being on the waitlist does not guarantee you will receive a rebate from this program.

Should I buy an e-bike (at my own risk) if I’m on the waitlist, just in case I do get offered a rebate?
No. Because if you are eventually offered a rebate, the date on the receipt for the e-bike purchase will have to be AFTER the date on your Approval Email. The 4 Easy Steps will still apply.

Is all of the funding for the rebates provided by the Province?
No. Some of the funding has been provided by the municipalities listed on our Program Partners page.

Is the Municipal funding specifically for the residents of that particular municipality?
Yes. Municipalities have contributed funding to provide rebates specifically for their residents.

How do you know who to give the municipal funding to?
We are able to identify residents of each municipality through data-matching.

Does this mean I’ll get 2 rebates? One from the province and one from my municipality (if I live in a municipality that is participating)?
No. You will only get 1 rebate and the funding for it will come from either the Province or your municipality.

Can I have the e-bike shipped to a different address (different from the address on my application)?
No. Regardless of who paid for the e-bike (as noted below), the shipping address should be yours. If your typical shipping address is remote (PO Box) the e-bike should be shipped to the closest Canada Post or Canada Postal Service location where you normally pick up items that are shipped to you. There is no reason to have an e-bike shipped to an address that is not yours or not close to where you live. If you submit documentation with your claim that shows a different shipping address, your claim will be set to pending, and it will take longer for us to process your rebate as follow-up will be required.

Can someone else pay for the e-bike on my behalf?
Yes. But please be aware that the documentation requirements for your claim remain the same. Please go to our Program Policies page to review the section below, and to our Complete Claim Documentation page to review the claim documentation requirements, including the requirement highlighted below regarding shipping addresses.

Purchasing Your E-Bike at a Participating Retailer

• The name on your store printed receipt MUST MATCH the name on your application. Even if a friend/mother/uncle is purchasing the e-bike for you, your name must still be on the store printed receipt and/or online purchase email. The POS terminal receipt does not show a customer name, if your friend/mother/uncle purchased the e-bike, they would be the one using the credit card with the POS terminal. There is no reason why the store printed receipt and/or online purchase email  would not be in your name.

What if the retailer will not ship to my remote address?
We suggest you purchase your e-bike from a retailer who will ship to the closest Canada Post or Canada Postal Service location where you normally pick up items that are shipped to you.

When do I claim the electric bike rebate?
When you get the bike. Do not under any circumstances claim your rebate until you have taken delivery of the electric bike. You must have the proper documents from the participating retailer in order to complete your claim.

If someone else pays for the e-bike for me, what documentation do you need for my claim?
See the Financial Section and the question: Can someone else pay for the e-bike on my behalf.

How long will it take for me to get my rebate?
If your claim documentation was accurate and complete, we will process your EFT within 10 business days.

Can someone else pay for the e-bike on my behalf?
Yes. But please be aware that the documentation requirements for your claim remain the same. Please go to our Program Policies page to review the section below, and to our Complete Claim Documentation page to review the claim documentation requirements.

Purchasing Your E-Bike at a Participating Retailer

• The name on your store printed receipt MUST MATCH the name on your application. Even if a friend/mother/uncle is purchasing the e-bike for you, your name must still be on the store printed receipt and/or online purchase email. The POS terminal receipt does not show a customer name, if your friend/mother/uncle purchased the e-bike, they would be the one using the credit card with the POS terminal. There is no reason why the store printed receipt and/or online purchase email would not be in your name.

Is there a minimum retail purchase price?
Yes. The minimum purchase price of the e-bike is $2,000 before taxes, regardless of any in-store or online promotional discounts that may bring the price below $2,000.

Can I purchase an e-bike that cost $1,999.00?
No. The minimum purchase price is $2,000.00 before taxes.

Can I purchase an e-bike that cost $2,150.00 and use a $200 online coupon to bring the price down to $1,950.00?
No. The minimum purchase price of the e-bike is $2,000 before taxes regardless of any in-store or online promotional discounts that may bring the price below $2,000.

Can I use the rebate towards the purchase of an electric bike AND accessories?
No. The rebate can only be applied towards the cost of the electric bike. It cannot be applied towards the cost of accessories.

Can this rebate be stacked with other rebates?
We are not currently aware of another rebate program for electric bikes in BC.

Can I also access the CleanBC GoElectric cargo e-bike rebate?
Maybe. The CleanBC GoElectric rebate is for cargo e-bikes. Applicants to this program must have a BC Business License. Cargo E-Bikes are specifically used for commercial/business/institutional fleet use. If you plan to purchase a cargo e-bike for any of these types of uses, you can apply to their program. You cannot get a CleanBC GoElectric rebate for a regular e-bike used for personal transportation. For more information please visit their website.

Can I return an electric bike to the store and get a refund?
No. You cannot return an electric bike to the participating retailer for refund. Please ensure your decision to purchase an electric bike (including the make/model/type/colour, etc.) is final.

Can I return an electric bike to the store if it is defective?
You can return an electric bike to the participating retailer if it is defective provided it is replaced by another e-bike of the same value or higher. You cannot return the e-bike to a retailer for a refund as noted above.

Can I get a rebate for an e-bike I’ve already purchased?
No. These rebates cannot be applied to an e-bike you already own/purchased prior to receiving an invitation to apply to the program (this applies to everyone whether or not you are on the waitlist).

Can I purchase the e-bike from a private individual?
No. You cannot purchase the e-bike from someone on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or anywhere else, even if the e-bike is new. Only purchases made from a Participating Retailer will be accepted.

Are conversion kits included? In other words if I already own a bike, and want to only buy a conversion kit to make it into an electric bike.
No. You must purchase an e-bike with the motor already attached.

Can I buy a used electric bike?
No. The electric bike must be purchased new, from a participating retailer.

Can I buy an electric bike from a company that is not listed on your website as a program partner? There are cheaper bicycles available in the U.S. even with the dollar conversion.
No. All electric bikes must be purchased from a Participating Electric Bike Retailer. These retailers are BC-based businesses and this program was designed to support BC-based business.

Can I buy a bike online or does it have to be from the list of qualifying retailers?
We encourage you to support BC-based businesses. You can purchase an e-bike online from any of the bc-based participating retailers who offer it. They are on the list because they have a BC-based business license. Don’t forget, if you purchase your e-bike in BC you will not have to pay PST.

Is buying an e-bike online different?
Yes. Many e-bikes purchased online come unassembled (vs. ready-to-ride). You will need to have the tools and knowledge required to assemble it. Also, depending on the brand, you may or may not be able to find a local retailer who can service the e-bike if that was ever required. Most local retailers sell and service particular brands. Some may not provide an assembly service for a brand they don’t carry, alternatively some may charge for assembly service (regardless of whether or not they carry the brand). These additional assembly costs cannot be included in the rebate.

I already own an electric bike can I use the rebate money to buy accessories for it?
No.

Are ‘light’ e-bikes with a maximum motor-assisted speed of 25km/hr and a maximum motor power of 250W eligible for a rebate?
Yes, so long as they meet all other eligibility requirements as outlined on our Program Policies page in the Purchasing Your E-Bike at a Participating Retailer section.

Are the following included in the electric bike option? Vespa, Moped or other types of motor scooters?
No. If they are gas-fueled vehicles they are not an electric bike. See our Electric Bike Definition page for details.

Are electric motorcycles or limited-speed motorcycles included in this program?
No. If you’re interested in electric motorcycle rebates, please visit the CleanBC Go Electric Rebates website. Both individuals and organizations may apply for zero-emission motorcycle rebates, including limited-speed motorcycles.

Who runs the BC E-Bike Rebate Program?
EcoForward Sustainable Solutions Society, a not-for-profit independent society which relies on private funding, grants and contributions from a variety of sources, our own treasury, as well as program partners in order to offer clean transportation programs to customers. We are registered in the provinces of BC and Alberta, “doing business as” EcoForward.