Number of e-bike vouchers doubled for latest ballot

Monday 17 July 2023

More than double the number of e-bike vouchers will be available to Islanders in the third application window for the government's subsidy scheme than in its previous launch.

As of Monday this week, islanders can enter the third quarterly ballot in which 350 vouchers will be awarded to subsidise the purchase of e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and adapted e-cycles.

This comes after high application numbers in January and April were offset with comparatively low redemption figures.

In January, there were 1,800 applications with 210 grants awarded, while in April, 165 grants were awarded out of 1,300 applications.

After Express reported that less than a quarter of vouchers had been used, Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune said she planned to review the system and survey recipients to find out why they did, or did not, use their vouchers.

Pictured: Deputy Hilary Jeune said that there was a "clear appetite for cycling in Jersey, and we’re working to make getting on a bike as accessible, attractive and safe as possible."

Now, she has said: "The number of applicants in the first two windows was excellent, with well over 1,000 each time, but the number actually redeemed was lower than we would have liked. We're regularly reviewing and evolving the scheme, and we're making more vouchers available this time around to help ensure more Islanders who really want them are able to get their hands on them."

"We're committed to helping people make the shift from petrol or diesel vehicles to electric vehicles, and these subsidies support those who are considering buying an e-bike but need that extra nudge and financial help to get there."

The vouchers, worth £300 for standard e-bikes and £600 for cargo and adapted bikes, can be redeemed at local participating bike shops.

The window will remain open for a week and Islanders can enter at www.gov.je/ebike.

What's on offer?

220 vouchers worth £300 for a standard e-bike

110 vouchers worth £600 for an e-cargo bike

20 vouchers worth £600 for an adapted e-cycle

The vouchers are backed by the Climate Emergency Fund, which supports the policies of the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.

A total of £300,000 has been allocated to the scheme for its two-year duration, aiming to incentivise behaviour change away from car journeys to this low emission way of getting around.