Last year, my son had his electric scooter stolen (don’t ask!) so I was a little bit excited to find out about the latest round of Queensland Government e-bike and e-scooter rebates! Announced earlier, Queenslanders now have the opportunity to claim money back in the form of rebates when purchasing e-scooters and e-bikes, thanks to a new scheme introduced by the state government.
In brief:
- The Queensland government is offering rebates for e-scooter and e-bicycle purchases as part of a new $1 million scheme.
- Queenslanders will be able to access a rebate of $500 for e-bicycles and $200 for e-scooters.
Rebates available for e-bikes and e-scooters
Starting from this Monday, 23 September Queenslanders can receive a $500 rebate for an e-bicycle and a $200 rebate for an e-scooter. To help Queenslanders with our finances, the government has allocated $1 million for the scheme, which will assist in purchasing thousands of these eco-friendly devices. However, funding is expected to run out quickly, so I plan to act fast.
Benefits of e-scooters and e-bikes
Transport Minister Bart Mellish highlighted that e-scooters and e-bikes not only reduce congestion and emissions but also provide a convenient way to travel in Queensland’s warm climate.
“e-bikes are the perfect solution, making it comfortable for Queenslanders of all abilities to ride more often, for longer periods — and now at a more affordable price,” said Mellish.
He also noted that e-scooters and e-bikes are becoming popular alternatives for short trips or for connecting to public transport, making them a practical option for daily commutes.
Eligibility criteria for the rebates
To claim the rebate, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria:
- e-scooters: They must be designed for single-person use and have a motor that stops once the device reaches 25kph.
- e-bikes: These cannot have an internal combustion engine and must not exceed 6kph when powered solely by the electric motor.
Only e-bikes and e-scooters purchased from Monday 23 September, onwards will qualify for the rebate. There are some pretty specific criteria about the exact kind of e-bike or e-scooter you can buy. There is also some firm criteria about where you can buy the e-scooter from, so do check out the full range of criteria before you buy… I have linked the website below with all the details.
What e-scooters meet the guidelines?
I am in the process of looking up a range of e-scooters for my son, that meet the guidelines, but my first thoughts are these:
- Razor Powercore in Green – $99 (after $200 rebate) – click here
- Segway Ninebot C2 Kids Electric Scooter – $199 (after $200 rebate)- click here
- ALPHA Carbon Gen III in Black/Red – $177 (after $200 rebate) – click here
I haven’t made a decision yet, as I need to ensure they meet the criteria!
I haven’t looked into which e-bikes meet the criteria, so if you have, feel free to add the details in comments!
New safety guidelines and rules
The Queensland government will provide detailed guidelines on safe e-device usage, including riding and charging practices. Last year, the state introduced new e-scooter rules, including tiered speeding fines. E-scooter riders are limited to a 12kph speed on footpaths and a 25kph speed on separated paths. Since the rules came into effect, police have issued over 6,000 fines to riders for non-compliance.
How to apply for the rebate
The rebate is only available to Queensland residents who are 18 years or older. I’m already preparing to meet the eligibility requirements and take advantage of this great initiative.
There are many ways to save money in Queensland, and we have written about a lot of them. This new scheme follows the government’s previous rebate program for electric vehicles, which offered up to $6,000 in savings (I took advantage of that one too!). And, I have also used the Climate Smart energy rebate program to buy a new fridge! Those programs have since closed after exhausting their allocations, making the current offer a fantastic chance to embrace eco-friendly transport at a reduced cost.
I encourage anyone interested in e-bikes or e-scooters to act quickly and make the most of this rebate! Find out more on the Queensland Government website.
