Electric-Assisted Bicycle (e-Bike) Rebate

• May 1: Online portal opens for retailers to apply for the program
• July 2: Online portal reopens for individuals to apply for a rebate
• July 10: Revenue issues rebate certificates to approved individuals
• Week of October 14: Revenue issues rebates to people on waitlist for remaining funds

We can only accept applications through the online portals. 

To be eligible, you must be at least 15 years old when applying, a Minnesota resident, and not have been claimed as a dependent in tax year 2023.

1. Apply for a rebate certificate through the online rebate portal (application is closed for 2024).
   • You will need to provide your:
     • Name and contact information
     • Date of birth
     • Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
     • Tax filing status for 2023
     • Adjusted gross income for 2023 (line 1 of Minnesota Form M1 or line 11 of Federal Form 1040)
   • Depending on demand, you may be placed in a virtual waiting room before going to the application. You will gain access to the application in the order you entered the waiting room. Once in the application, you will have 15 minutes to complete and submit it. 
2. We expect the application window to be brief, as only around 10,000 applications will be accepted. When this limit is reached, the rebate application will close and anyone in the waiting room will be notified they cannot apply this year.
3. We will issue rebate certificates by July 10 to approved individuals, based on how many we believe are needed to use the $2 million available for this year. 
4. If you get a rebate certificate, you must use the certificate at an approved retailer within two months or it will expire. The certificate is worth 50-75% of a qualifying purchase, up to $1,500. The percentage is based on your income. 
5. If there is money left in the program after October 1, we will issue more rebate certificates — up to the $2 million limit — to individuals who applied and did not get a certificate.

Not everyone who applies will get a rebate certificate. We will reopen the application portal again in 2025.

If you successfully submit an application, you'll receive an email to confirm we received it. We will then review applications in the order they are received and respond to each applicant by July 9, 2024. 

Applicants will either be approved, asked to provide additional information, added to a waitlist, or denied. 

If you are approved:

• We will send your rebate certificate to the email address used on your application by July 10.
• You can use the rebate certificate to receive a discount when you buy a new e-bike from an approved retailer, listed on our website. 
• The rebate certificate expires two months after the issued date.

If you are asked to provide additional information:

• You will have 21 days to provide the requested information by email. 
• We may request additional income verification, residency information, or both. 

If you are added to the waitlist:

• We may consider your application if more rebate certificates become available. 
• We will contact you by email if you are receiving a rebate certificate or if there are no more rebate certificates available this year.

Your application may be denied for one of the following reasons:

• You do not meet the eligibility requirements for the program.
• There are no more rebate certificates available and our waitlist is full for this year.

To be eligible, you must have been engaged in the business of retail sales of e-bikes for at least 6 months before applying.

1. Apply for the program through the online retailer portal. We will respond within seven business days. 
2. When you receive a rebate certificate from a buyer, at the time of sale:
   • Access our system and assign the rebate certificate to your business. You must complete this step to be reimbursed for the value of the rebate.
   • Apply the discount listed on the certificate to the qualifying e-bike purchase (including assembly fees, if charged). 
3. Within one month of the sale, access our system to request reimbursement.

Note: Though the rebate lowers the purchase price, you must collect sales tax on the full retail amount of the purchase.

The rebate certificate applies to a buyer's qualifying expenses, including:

• Sales price of a new e-bike (including assembly fees, if charged)
• Certain accessories purchased at the same time

Qualifying e-Bikes

Any e-bike purchased under the rebate program must be new and meet the legal definition of an electric-assisted bicycle in Minnesota Statute 169.011, subdivision 27. This law defines an e-bike as a bicycle with two or three wheels that:

1. Has a seat and pedals a rider can use with or without electric power.
2. Fits the definition of a regular bicycle in Code of Federal Regulations, title 16, part 1512.
3. Has an electric motor that does not produce more than 750 watts of power.
4. Meets the requirements of a class 1, class 2, class 3, or multiple-mode electric-assisted bicycle in Minnesota Statute 169.011, subd. 15a-c, and subd. 45a.
5. Has a battery or electric drive system that's been tested and approved by an independent safety lab.
6. Is not designed manufactured, or modified in a way that it no longer meets the above requirements.

Qualifying Accessories

Qualifying accessories are limited to bike helmet, lights, lock, luggage rack, basket, bag or backpack, fenders, or reflective clothing. The accessories must be purchased at the same time as the e-bike to qualify. 

The number of rebate certificates issued each year is limited by funds available in the program. State law allocates $2 million each year in 2024 and 2025 for rebates. We estimate awarding about 1,300 rebate certificates in 2024.

We issue certificates based on projecting how much each is worth. We will reassess after October 1 and issue more certificates if money is available.

The program is set to expire in 2026.

How much is the rebate?

The rebate certificate is valued at 50-75% of your qualifying expenses, up to $1,500. The percentage depends on your income. Qualifying expenses include an e-bike and certain accessories purchased at the same time. The rebate value cannot exceed the price of the e-bike. 

When can I apply for a rebate certificate?

We received enough submissions to fill this year's applicant pool for the Minnesota e-Bike Rebate and the application is now closed. If you could not apply or do not receive a rebate, you’ll have another chance in 2025. For the latest information, sign up for email updates for e-Bike Rebate applicants.

What are the requirements to apply?

To be eligible, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old when you apply
• Be a full-year Minnesota resident in the current year and previous year
• Not have been claimed as a dependent in the previous tax year

What information will I need to provide on the application?

You must meet the eligibility requirements for the program, and will need to provide your:

• Name and contact information
• Date of birth
• Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
• Tax filing status for 2023
• Adjusted gross income for 2023 (line 1 of Minnesota Form M1 or line 11 of Federal Form 1040)

I have not filed a 2023 tax return. Can I still apply?

Yes. However, your rebate value may be limited to 50% of qualifying costs because a 2023 individual income tax return is required to verify your adjusted gross income (AGI). If we cannot verify your AGI, you may only qualify for the minimum rebate value of 50%.

If we need more information to process your application, we'll contact you at the email address you listed on the application.

My spouse applied for a rebate. Can I apply as well?

Yes. Rebate certificates are issued to individuals. Each of you can apply for your own certificate. Use your joint adjusted gross income when you apply.

Where can I use my rebate certificate?

You can use a rebate certificate at any of the approved retailers on our list:

• Approved Retailers - Searchable List (Excel)
• Approved Retailers - by Name (PDF)
• Approved Retailers - by City (PDF)

Can I purchase an e-bike from an online retailer?

Yes, if they are approved for this program. To participate, retailers must be approved and meet all other program requirements.

Can I apply the rebate to an e-bike purchased before I received a rebate certificate?

No. The e-Bike Rebate certificate can only be applied at the time of purchase.

How long do I have to use the rebate certificate?

You have two months to use the e-Bike Rebate certificate. The expiration date will be listed on the certificate.

Will I receive Form 1099-MISC?

Yes. If you use the rebate on qualifying purchases, you will receive Form 1099-MISC for the value of the rebate. Use this form when filing your tax year 2024 income tax return.

What if I do not get a rebate this year?

You can apply for an e-Bike Rebate when the application reopens in 2025.

When can I apply to be an approved retailer?

You can apply when the application portal for retailers opens May 1 and later. For the latest information, sign up for email updates for e-Bike Rebate retailers.  

What are the requirements to apply?

To be eligible, you must have been engaged in the business of retail sales of new e-bikes for at least 6 months before applying for this program.

Can online retailers participate in the e-Bike Rebate program?

Yes. Online retailers must be approved and meet all other program requirements.

Can a customer apply the rebate to an e-bike purchased before they received a rebate certificate?

No. The e-Bike Rebate certificate can only be applied at the time of purchase.