STATE OF NEW JERSEY
222nd LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2026 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman ROBERT J. KARABINCHAK
District 18 (Middlesex)
Assemblyman JAMES J. KENNEDY
District 22 (Somerset and Union)
Assemblyman WILLIAM F. MOEN, JR.
District 5 (Camden and Gloucester)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Venezia
SYNOPSIS
Directs BPU to establish rebate program for purchase of electric bicycles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning rebates for electric bicycles, and supplementing Title 48 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this section:
“Board” means the Board of Public Utilities.
"Eligible low-speed electric bicycle" means a new two or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts, that meets the safety standard ANSI/CAN/UL 2849 for ebikes, with a purchase price of not less than $1,000, that meets the requirements of one of the following classifications: "class 1 low-speed electric bicycle," which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour; or "class 2 low-speed electric bicycle,'' which means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
b. No later than one year after the effective date of this section, the Board of Public Utilities shall establish and implement a program to provide rebates to residents of the State for the purchase of eligible low-speed electric bicycles. The purpose of the rebate program shall be to reduce emissions from motor vehicles by encouraging the purchase and use of low-speed electric bicycles for short distance trips. The board shall advertise the availability of rebates pursuant to this section in the same manner that it advertises the availability of incentives for plug-in electric vehicles pursuant to P.L.2019, c.362 (C.48:25-1 et seq.).
c. (1) The rebate shall be in an amount of up to $2,000 but in no case shall the rebate exceed 50 percent of the retail purchase price of the eligible low-speed electric bicycle.
(2) A rebate shall be made available only to a resident of the State who makes an in-person purchase.
(3) A rebate shall be provided to a person who establishes proof of an in-person purchase to the board and upon approval by the board of an application that meets the requirements established in this section.
d. The board shall determine the types or brands of eligible low-speed electric bicycles eligible for the rebate pursuant to this section and the manner and form for residents to apply for, and if eligible, receive a rebate pursuant to this section. The board may establish other requirements and parameters for the rebate program as it deems necessary and reasonable to further the goals of the program.
e. The board shall provide $1 million from the societal benefits charge imposed pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60) to make disbursements for the low-speed electric bicycle rebate program established pursuant to this section.
f. The board may adopt, pursuant to the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), such rules and regulations as may be necessary for the implementation of the rebate program established pursuant to this section.
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill would require the Board of Public Utilities (board) to establish and implement a program to provide rebates to residents of the State for the purchase of a new low-speed electric bicycle that meets the safety standard UL 2849 for low-speed electric bicycles with a purchase price of not less than $1,000. The rebates would be available to residents of the State for an in-person purchase of an electric bicycle in an amount up to $2,000, not to exceed 50 percent of the purchase price of an eligible low-speed electric bicycle.
The bill provides that the board would determine the types or brands of eligible low-speed electric bicycles eligible for the rebate and the manner and form for residents to apply for, and if eligible, receive a rebate pursuant to the bill. Finally, the bill authorizes the board to establish other requirements and parameters for the rebate program as it deems necessary and reasonable to further the goals of the program.
The bill requires the board to use $1 million from the societal benefits charge imposed pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1999, c.23 (C.48:3-60) to make disbursements for the low-speed electric bicycle rebate program established under the bill.