This section highlights the essentials of the Hawaii Electric Bike and Electric Moped Program and was released on February 28, 2023

HDOT ROLLS OUT HAWAII ELECTRIC BIKE AND

ELECTRIC MOPED REBATE PROGRAM

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) starts the electric bike and electric moped rebate program on February, 28. The electric bike and electric moped rebate was created through Act 306 to “reduce the cost of living and cost of transportation by providing rebates for the purchase and use of electric bicycles and electric mopeds.”

Persons over the age of 18 that meet one or more of the eligibility criteria can apply online or request a paper form by calling 808-831-7931.

To be eligible for the electric bike and electric moped rebate, you must be 18 years of age or older and able to prove one of the following:

Participation in a low-income assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Section 8.

Do not own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels.

Current enrollment in school, community college, or university.

“This program will enable families to reduce their cost of transportation, and benefit those who need help the most,” said Senator Chris Lee, Chairman of the Transportation Committee. “When you look at those who qualify for the rebates, they are already receiving financial assistance, college students, or people who don’t own vehicles.”

Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said: “Wide adoption of electric vehicles, including bicycles and mopeds, will help move us toward our clean energy goals while filling a key gap in mobility for many in our state. HDOT will continue to support programs that encourage Hawai‘i residents to use vehicles with lower emissions that enhance their transportation alternatives.”

“As we anticipate wider adoption, we’re also reminding people to be careful on the road on electric bikes and electric mopeds. Since 2021, there have been four electric bike or moped riders killed on Hawai‘i roads and 894 major crashes.”

Safety reminders for current and prospective electric bicycle and electric moped riders:

Wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. For bike helmets, HDOT recommends using the CDC Bike Helmet Safety guide to pick out a good helmet. For moped helmets, look for weight, thickness, sturdy chinstraps, as well as “DOT” and manufacturer's labels (e.g., Snell or ANSI) to help in selecting a safe helmet.

Do not ride an electric bicycle or electric moped on any sidewalk. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch...

Do not “pack” or carry passengers. Applicable laws here and here.

Follow the rules of the road. You are responsible for obeying all traffic rules, including but not limited to riding only where bikes and mopeds are permitted, riding with the flow of traffic, using front and rear lights, stopping at traffic signals, and yielding to slower bicyclists and pedestrians.

HDOT encourages the public to carefully review the rebate conditions and provisions set forth in the law. Additional resources on the rebate program are available at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/hawaii-electric-bike-and-moped-rebate/

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 after July 1, 2022.

The total rebate per vehicle will be capped at 20 percent of the retail price or $500, whichever is lower.

To be eligible for the electric bike and electric moped rebate you must be 18 years of age or older and able to prove one of the following:

• Current enrollment in grade school, community college, a trade school, or university.

• Do not own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels.

• Participation in a low-income assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Section 8.

Persons over the age of 18 that meet one or more of the eligibility criteria can apply online here or request a paper form by calling 808-587-2160.

Starting from July 1, 2022, customers can receive rebates for buying new ebikes or emopeds from retail stores. The eligible electric bicycles must have a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour. The rebate amount is limited to 20 percent of the retail price or $500, whichever is less, per purchase.

This rebate currently does not cover other electric modes of micro transportation, such as electric skateboards and electric scooters.

The rebate process itself just became active and the State is currently accepting applicants.

• What is the “Vendor Form”?

  In order to process the applicantʻs rebate check, the State requires additional information to be provided in the vendor (rebate applicant) form. Please note, the only fillable sections are highlighted in blue. These sections are:

  Vendor Name: This is where the rebate applicant should place their name.

  Vendor Add. 1: This is where the rebate applicant should place their street address (number and street name).

  Vendor Add. 2-3: This is where the rebate applicant should place additional information about their address (i.e. apartment number, etc.).

  Vendor City: This is where the rebate applicant should place the city associated with their address.

  Vendor State: This is where the rebate applicant should place the state associated with their address.

  Social Security No./Fed. Taxpayer ID No.: This is where the rebate applicant should place their social security number.

  Presuming it is determined that a rebate application meets programmatic requirements, weʻre asking for this form to be filled by the applicant and submitted with their completed application to ensure the quickest possible turn around on their rebate check.

The e-bike and electric moped rebate program makes rebates of up to $500 or 20% of the retail price available for eligible purchases of newly purchased electric bicycles and electric mopeds. The statute authorizing this program is HRS §196-7.8

Applications open at 12 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023. The online application can be found at https://arcg.is/1rvTTX2

Hard copy applications may be requested by calling (808) 831-7931.

The following restrictions apply:

Only valid on purchases of new electric bicycles capable of speeds of no more than twenty-eight miles per hour, and electric mopeds.

Purchase must be made at a retail store on or after July 2, 2022.

Rebate amount is limited to the lesser of $500 or 20% of the retail price.

No individual shall receive more than $500 in total rebates each fiscal year.

The rebate application and supporting documentation must be submitted within 1 year of purchase. Failure to apply within twelve months of the date of purchase shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the rebate.

Applications that do not meet program criteria will not be considered.

The Department reserves the right to verify purchase.

The Department is not liable to pay any rebate if sufficient funds are unavailable.

Program Criteria:

Applicant must be 18 years of age or older, and can prove one of the following:

Participation in a low-income assistance program such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Section 8

Do not own a motor vehicle with four or more wheels

Current enrollment in a school, college, or university

Safety reminders for current and prospective electric bicycle and electric moped riders:

Wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet. For bike helmets, HDOT recommends using the CDC Bike Helmet Safety guide to pick out a good helmet. For moped helmets, look for weight, thickness, sturdy chinstraps, as well as “DOT” and manufacturer’s labels (e.g., Snell or ANSI) to help in selecting a safe helmet.

Do not ride an electric bicycle or electric moped on any sidewalk. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol05_Ch0261-0319/HRS0291C/HRS_0291C-0145.htm

Do not “pack” or carry passengers.

Follow the rules of the road. You are responsible for obeying all traffic rules, including but not limited to riding only where bikes and mopeds are permitted, riding with the flow of traffic, using front and rear lights, stopping at traffic signals, and yielding to slower bicyclists and pedestrians.

Updated: Feb. 27, 2023

[§196-7.8] Electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program; third-party administrator; special fund. (a) The department of transportation shall administer a rebate program that incentivizes the purchase of new electric bicycles and new electric mopeds and may contract with a third-party administrator pursuant to subsection (i) to operate and manage the rebate program.

(b) Each eligible purchase of a new electric bicycle or new electric moped shall receive a rebate of either twenty per cent of the retail cost or $500, whichever amount is lower; provided that no individual shall receive more than $500 in total rebates each fiscal year.

(c) The department of transportation shall not issue more than $700,000 in total rebates under this section each fiscal year; provided that the electric bicycle and electric moped subaccount within the highway development special fund pursuant to section 264-122(d) contains sufficient funds to pay the rebates. The department of transportation shall not be liable to pay any refund if sufficient funds are unavailable. The department of transportation shall allow valid claims filed by eligible applicants for whom sufficient funds may not be immediately available to receive a rebate as funds may be available in a subsequent year.

(d) The department of transportation shall:

(1) Prepare any forms that may be necessary for an applicant to claim a rebate pursuant to this section; and

(2) Require each applicant to furnish reasonable information to ascertain the validity of the claim, including but not limited to the signature of the buyer and individual responsible for the sale on behalf of a retail store at the time of sale, a copy of valid government issued photo identification of the buyer at the time of the sale, receipt of purchase, name and address of the retail store, verification of eligibility, and any other documentation necessary to demonstrate the legitimate purchase of a new electric bicycle or new electric moped.

(e) This section shall apply to new:

(1) Electric bicycles capable of speeds of no more than twenty-eight miles per hour; and

(2) Electric mopeds,

purchased at a retail store after July 1, 2022.

(f) Applicants shall submit an application to the department of transportation within twelve months of the date of purchase to claim a rebate from the electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program. Failure to apply within twelve months of the date of purchase shall constitute a waiver of the right to claim the rebate.

(g) Nothing in this section shall alter taxes due on the original purchase. Any rebate received pursuant to this section shall not be considered income for the purposes of state or county taxes.

(h) In administering the electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program, the department of transportation shall provide rebates to persons eighteen years or older who:

(1) Are eligible for:

(A) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;

(B) The free and reduced price lunch program;

(C) Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended; or

(D) Similar low-income assistance programs identified by the department of transportation;

(2) Do not own a registered motor vehicle with four or more wheels, as demonstrated by an affidavit signed by the applicant at the time of sale of the new electric bicycle or electric moped, which may be audited by the department of transportation; or

(3) Are enrolled in school, community college, or university.

(i) The department of transportation may contract with a third-party administrator to operate and manage the electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program. The third-party administrator shall not be deemed to be a "governmental body" as defined in section 103D-104; provided that all moneys transferred to the third-party administrator shall have been appropriated by the legislature or shall be from moneys provided by the federal government or private funding sources. The third-party administrator shall not expend more than ten per cent of the amounts appropriated for the rebate program, or any other reasonable percentage determined by the department of transportation, for administration of the electric bicycle and electric moped rebate program. [L 2022, c 306, §2]