(the only motorbike greener than an electric is helium powered and carries zero passengers)
ROME, Italy – The Italian government is working to cut emission rates in their urban areas, and to that end they are attempting to encourage the use of alternate forms of transporation.
The Italian Government is currently examining a proposal by the industry organization ANCMA for a major tax incentive on e-Bikes. Like in all EU countries, the Italians are looking for new means to cut emission rates in their urban areas. In order to stimulate the use of sustainable forms of mobility as alternatives of motor vehicles the Italian Government wants to grant 30% restitution on all e-Bikes.
What can we do to rally some support for these types of incentives to happen here in the USA? I guess a petition wouldn’t hurt. Right now there is a Twitter based petition that can be found HERE>
Hrm… do you think they’ll send us the new Motobecane Motivo?
27. June 2009 at 2:12 pm
The only problem is where does that incentive money come from?
From us, that's where.
29. June 2009 at 11:21 pm
I have my doubts that a 30% discount would really improve e-bike sales. It seems like all the well built ones cost around $2000. Would dropping that to $1400 really make a difference?
At those prices an e-bike has to be practically useful, not just a toy. Convincing the general public that an e-bike is useful will not be easy.
Unless you live in a city, even running errands on a bicycle can be dangerous. I'd be willing to bet that most Americans can't even get to the nearest grocery store without taking at least one road with a speed limit over 45mph. Take the U.S. street grid, subtract fast streets and busy intersections, and what's left for bicyclists to use doesn't go very far.
Assuming that major infrastructure problem can be overcome, then all we need are a few e-bike brands advertising hard enough to get people's attention. I don't expect we'll ever get over the first hurdle of merely giving e-bikes someplace to go.