Hawaii electric bike and moped rebate
Act 306 (22) signed into law by Gov. Ige on July 12, 2022, authorized the Department of Transportation to establish an e-bike and electric moped rebate program. Copy of Act 306 (22) can be found at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2022/bills/SB3158_CD1_.pdf
We encourage the public to carefully review the rebate conditions and provisions set forth in the law as we prepare to launch this program. Summary of the rebate conditions in Act 306 are:
- The rebates will be available for the purchase of new electric bicycles with a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour, or the purchase of new electric mopeds made at a retail store on or after July 1, 2022.
- The total rebate per vehicle will be capped at 20 percent of the retail price or $500, whichever is lower.
- In addition, eligibility for rebates includes persons who:
- Are 18 years of age or older who are eligible for certain low-income assistance programs,
- Do not own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels, or
- Are currently enrolled in a school, college, or university.
The schedule for establishment of the e-bike and electric moped rebate program is:
- Request proposals for a third party administrator for the program – October 2022
- Proposals due to HDOT – November 2022
- Evaluation of proposals and award – November 2022
- Contract execution – November/December 2022
- Notice to proceed given to selected administrator – December 2022
- Program begins – February 2023
E-bike and moped riders and prospective riders are reminded that the following laws apply to the operation of said vehicles:
- No person under the age of fifteen shall operate a low-speed electric bicycle as defined under title 15 United States Code section 2085. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-0143_0005.htm
- No person shall ride a bicycle equipped with a motor on any sidewalk. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-0145.htm
- No person under sixteen years of age shall operate a bicycle upon a street, bikeway, or any other public property unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-0150.htm
Updated: Sept. 16, 2022
For questions not addressed by the information provided on this webpage: [email protected]