Owning an e-bike

an e-bike next to words saying that all the e-bike rebate funding has been reserved.

RCEA’s $500* Public Rebate for Electric Bikes

ALL FUNDS RESERVED

as of May 15 2020

 

The Redwood Coast Energy Authority launched a public rebate for electric bikes on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22 at 9:00 am. The $500 rebate*, funded by RCEA’s Community Choice Energy program, aims to make bike commuting a viable option for RCEA customers who wish to purchase an e-bike to replace vehicle trips. The rebate program, which is the first of its kind in the county, will run through October 2020, or until the funding has run out.

$41,500 in funding was initially available for the program, which is equivalent to 83 rebates. Applications are no longer being accepted as all funds are reserved.

Two-wheeled commuters are on the rise, both locally and internationally, as people are discovering the extended range, easy commute, health benefits, and unfettered joy that battery-powered motor-assisted bikes can provide. E-bikes can be an excellent alternative to personal automobiles for daily transportation needs—they can be easily modified to carry more cargo than a traditional bike, produce no exhaust emissions during transit, and allow users to ride for miles without getting tired or sweaty. Those that find longer trips by regular bicycle too challenging or have other constraints to traveling by bike may find that electric-assist bikes are a practical, energy efficient, and liberating way to get around.

RCEA encourages customers to buy through local bike shops. 

* 50% of the cost of the e-bike up to $500

The terms and conditions, approved products list, and other key information about electric bikes can be found below.

Terms and Conditions

The application for the rebate has been removed. Please see the terms and conditions for more information about the rebate.

E-BIKE REBATE PROGRAM TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  1. ELIGIBILITY: Customers eligible to receive a rebate under RCEA’s E-Bike Program (“Program”) must:
    • Be an existing RCEA Community Choice Energy residential electricity customer account holder of a service account that is paid current as of the date of application;
    • Purchase an E-bike model listed on the RCEA Approved Products List; and
    • Submit a properly completed application including documentation showing proof of purchase.
  1. RESTRICTIONS: RESTRICTIONS: Maximum of one e-bike rebate per residential account service address (or unit number for multifamily residences with a shared electric account) every 5 years. Rebates are subject to funding availability; submittal of a completed application will not guarantee receipt of a rebate.  Applications are received and rebates are issued on a first-come first-served basis until funding is depleted or the Program changes. Applicants placed on a Program waiting list may qualify for the rebate if additional funds become available during the Program.  All incentives are final, and customers are not eligible to apply for larger incentives from the same program should they become available. Rebates may not exceed the final amount shown on the submitted receipt for the e-bike. Customers will receive 50% of the value of the purchased e-bike up to a $500 rebate. RCEA staff and Board of Directors are not eligible for this rebate.
  2. APPROVED PRODUCTS: This rebate incentive is available only to purchases of products listed on RCEA’s Approved Products List, available on RCEA’s website or in print at our office. Additional product models may be suggested to RCEA for review and inclusion on the Approved Products List; however, no rebates will be issued for purchases made prior to inclusion on the Approved Products List. Applications submitted for product models removed from the Approved Product List will be processed if the purchase was made prior to removal from the Approved Products List.
  3. REBATE PAYMENTS: Rebate payments will be made by check payable to the electric service account holder and will be issued within 30 days following application approval. For service accounts held in more than one name, rebate checks will be issued payable to the applicant. RCEA reserves the right to request a completed and signed IRS Form W-9 before releasing the rebate payment.
  4. LIMITATIONS: RCEA reserves the right to deny a rebate to any individual deemed, in RCEA’s sole discretion, to be violating the terms, conditions, and restrictions of the Program.
  5. TAX LIABILITY and CREDITS: RCEA is not responsible for any taxes which may be imposed on the customer as a result of the rebates provided by the Program. The customer is solely responsible for identifying and applying for tax credits, if any are available.
  6. DISPUTES: Except where otherwise limited by law, RCEA reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to make final determinations regarding any disputed issues about the Program, including but not limited to eligibility and rebate amount.
  7. PROGRAM CHANGES: RCEA reserves the right to change, modify, or terminate the Program at any time without any liability except as expressly stated herein.
  8. PROGRAM TIMEFRAME: The Program will launch on April 22, 2020. No rebates will be issued for purchases made prior to Program launch. The Program will expire upon the earliest to occur: (i) October 31, 2020, (ii) when funds are depleted, or (iii) when the Program is terminated.
  9. DISCLAIMER: RCEA makes no guarantee, representations or warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the implementation or use of product purchased pursuant to this Program. Use of any product and acceptance of materials used is solely the customer’s responsibility. RCEA does not endorse any product that may be included on an Approved Products List, and such inclusion may not be used for marketing purposes other than to state the fact of its purchase as eligible for a rebate under this Program.
  10. CUSTOMER DISCLOSURE AUTHORIZATION: By signing the Rebate Application form, the applicant confirms they are the service account holder of the account identified in the Application form, or authorized representative thereof, and authorize RCEA to disclose customer’s name as a participant in the Program.

Approved Products List

Download the Approved Products List

(last update 5/12/20)

 Make  Model 
Ariel Rider  C-Class 
Ariel Rider  D-Class 
Ariel Rider  M-Class 
Ariel Rider  W-Class 
Ariel Rider  X-Class 
Aventon  Sinch 
Aventon  Level 
Aventon  Pace 500 
Aventon  Pace 350 
Batch Bicycles  E-Commuter 
Benno  Boost E 
Benno  eScout 
Benno  eJoy 
Bianchi  Aria E-Road 
BH Bikes  Evo Cross Pro 
BH Bikes  Rebel Cross PW 
BH Bikes  Evo City Pro 
BH Bikes  Evo City Nitro 
BH Bikes  Atom Diamond Wave 
Blix  Aveny 
Blix  Packa 
Blix  Sol 
Blix  Vika+ 
Budnitz  Model E 
Butchers & Bicycles  MK1-E 
Cannondale  Treadwell Neo 
Cannondale  Quick Neo 
Cannondale  Canvas Neo 
Cannondale  Synapse Neo 
Cannondale  SuperSix EVO Neo 
Cero  One 
Civia  North Loop 
Civia  Parkway 
Del Sol  Shoreliner i/O 
Del Sol  Railer Plus i/O 
Del Sol  Lxi i/O 
Del Sol  Lxi Flow IO 
Ecotric  Lark 
Ecotric  48V 
Ecotric  Dolphin 
Ecotric  Starfish 
Ecotric  Vortex 
Ecotric  Swallow 
Electra  Townie Go! 7D 
Electra  Townie Loft Go! 8i 
Electra  Townie Commute Go! 8i 
Electra  Vale Go! 9D EQ 
Electra  Café Moto Go! 
Electra  Townie Path Go! 10D EQ 
Electric Bike Company  Model C 
Electric Bike Company  Model S 
Electric Bike Company  Model X 
Electric Bike Company  Model Y 
Electric Bike Company  Model M 
Electric Bike Company  Model R 
Evelo  Aurora Hub-Drive 
Evelo  Aries Hub-Drive 
Evelo  Galaxy 
Evelo  Aurora Limited 
Evelo  Delta X 
Evelo  Aries Mid-Drive 
Evelo  Quest Max 
Evelo  Quest One 
Evelo  Compass 
Evo  Kallio 
Evo  Fitzroy 
Evo  Bushwick 
Evo  Atwater 
Felt  Sport-E 
Felt  Verza-E 
Fuji  E-Traverse 
Fuji  Conductor 
Fuji  E-Crosstown 
Furo  Etura 
Furo  Furo X 
Gazelle  EasyFlow 
Gazelle  Arroyo 
Gazelle  Cityzen 
Gazelle  NL 
Gazelle  Medeo 
Gazelle  Ultimate 
Genze  100 series 
Genze  200 series 
Giant  Lafree E+ 
Giant  Explore E+ 
Giant  Quick E+ 
Giant  Fastroad E+ 
Giant  Road E+ 
GoCycle  GS 
GoCycle  G3C 
GoCycle  GX 
Haro MTB  Double Peak i/O 
IZIP  E3 Moda 
IZIP  E3 Dash 
IZIP  E3 Brio 
IZIP  E3 Loma 
IZIP  E3 Path 
IZIP  E3 Zuma 
IZIP  E3 Simi 
IZIP  E3 Vibe 
Jetson  Metro 
Juiced  CrossCurrent 
Juiced  Scorpion 
Juiced  RipCurrent 
JupiterBike  Discovery 
JupiterBike  Defiant 
KHS Bicycles  Extended 
KHS Bicycles  Envoy 
KHS Bicycles  Easy 
Kona  Splice-E 
Kona  Dew-E 
Kona  Electric Ute 
Lectric Bikes  Lectric XP 
Liv  Thrive E+ 
Look  E-765 
Magnum  Ranger 
Magnum  Navigator 
Magnum  Lowrider Cruiser 
Magnum  Cruiser 
Magnum  Metro 
Magnum  Premium 
Magnum  Ui6 
Magnum  Classic 
Magnum  Ui5 
Marin Bikes  DS-E 
Montague  E-Boston 
Montague  E-Crosstown 
Nakto  City Electric Bicycle 
Nakto  Folding Electric Bicycle 
Ohm  Quest 
Ohm  Discover 
Ohm  Cruise 
Orbea  Gain 
Orbea  Optima 
Pedego  Comfort Cruiser 
Pedego  Interceptor 
Pedego  Boomerang 
Pedego  City Commuter 
Pedego  Stretch 
Pedego  Latch 
Pedego  Trike 
Pedego  Conveyor 
Pedego  Tandem 
Pedego  Ford Super Cruiser 
Priority Bicycles  Priority Embark E-bike 
Propella  Single Speed/7-Speed 
Pure Bicycles  Capacita 
Pure Bicycles  Volta 
Qualisports  Nemo 
Qualisports  Volador 
Qualisports  Dolphin 
Qualisports  Beluga 
Rad Power Bikes  RadRunner 
Rad Power Bikes  RadRover 
Rad Power Bikes  RadWagon 
Rad Power Bikes  RadMini 
Rad Power Bikes  RadCity 
Ride1Up  Roadster 
Ride1Up  500 Series 
Ride1Up  700 Series 
Riese & Muller  Superdelite 
Riese & Muller  Multicharger 
Riese & Muller  Load 
Riese & Muller  Packster 
Riese & Muller  Homage 
Riese & Muller  Culture 
Riese & Muller  Nevo 
Riese & Muller  Roadster 
Riese & Muller  Cruiser 
Riese & Muller  Tinker 
R&E Bicycles  U-District 
Rodriguez  ePhinney Ridge 
Rodriguez  Disruptor 
SMLRO  C6 Brothers 
Specialized  Turbo Como 
Specialized  Turbo Vado 
Specialized  Turbo Creo 
Scott  Axis 
Scott  Silence 
Scott  Sub Active 
Schwinn  Monroe 
Schwinn  Constance 
Super 73  R 
Super 73  RX 
Super 73  S2 
Super 73  Original 2018 
Super 73  SI 
Super 73  ZI 
Super 73  Z 
Surface604  Rook 
Surly  Big Easy 
Swagtron  EB12 
Swagtron  EB7 
Swagtron  EB1 
Swagtron  EB5 
Tern  Vektron 
Tern  GSD 
Trek  Domane+ 
Trek  Verve+ 2 
Trek  Verve+ 3 
Trek  Super Commuter+ 7 
Trek  Allant+ 8 
Tuesday  August Live! 
Urban Arrow  Family 
Urban Arrow  Shorty 
Urban Arrow  Cargo 
Van Dessel Cycles  Passepartout 
Vintage Electric  Shelby 
Vintage Electric  Tracker 
Vintage Electric  Scrambler 
Vintage Electric  Roadster 
Vintage Electric  Café 
Vintage Electric  Rally 
VoltBike  Trio 
VoltBike  Urban 
VoltBike  Bravo 
VoltBike  Yukon 
VoltBike  Mariner 
VoltBike  Elegant 
VoltBike  Kodiak 
Voyager  Compass Electric 
Voyager  Flybrid Compact 
Voyager  Flybrid Commuter 
Voyager  Flybrid Sport 
Xtracycle  Edgerunner Classic 
Xtracycle  Edgerunner Swoop 
Xtracycle  RFA 
Xtracycle  Stroker 
Yamaha  UrbanRush 
Yamaha  CrossConnect 
Yamaha  CrossCore 
Yamaha  Wabash 
Yuba  Electric Supermarche 
Yuba  Electric Boda Boda 
Yuba  Spicy Curry Bosch Electric 
Two electric bikes parked on the side of the road in Kneeland overlooking the mountain side

What is an E-Bike?

Electronic bicycles, or e-bikes, are bicycles that have been equipped with a motor to provide the bicycle with extra assistance or “boost”, often denoted as a pedal assist. There is currently a wide variety of e-bikes available, including fully automated e-bikes and pedal-assisted systems. E-bikes offer easier commutes and extended riding range. While e-bikes are available to people of all age ranges, they can also offer a more accessible ride for people who are older or have disabilities.

Simple electric bike drawing with parts of the bike labelled
table with detailing specifics about what an e-bike is
Click for larger image

Why Consider an E-Bike?

The recent popularity of electric bikes has led to more widespread information on the types of e-bikes available, what to consider when buying one, how they help the environment, and some of the challenges that riders may encounter.

If you are interested in buying an e-bike, click through the following toggles for material to consider before making a purchase. You can also visit this Verge article titled How To Buy an Electric Bike for a break down of e-bike classes, power, motors, and more.

Although e-bikes are not quite as sustainable as a conventional bicycle trip due to the energy they require to power, e-bikes can still have a massive environmental impact if they are used to replace shorter car trips.

More than half of driving trips in the U.S. are shorter than 10 miles. E-bikes provide riders with a convenient option for any trip, ranging from running quick errands to work commutes, by maintaining higher average speeds than a bicycle. This encourages reduction in traffic and road congestion, all while reducing fossil fuels.

E-bikes can cost anywhere from $500-$9,000 but most cost between $1,000 and $3,000.

Fuel costs are minimal – e-bike batteries are ~0.5-1.5 kWh (compared to 40-80 kWh for an electric car).

 

Calculate the real range of your e-bike:

Volts x Amp-Hours = Watt-Hours (20 Watt-Hours = 1 mile of travel)

36 V x 10 Ah=360 Wh x  ((1 mile)/(20 Wh))=18 mile range

 

Overall cost to charge = Electricity Cost ($/kWh) x Battery Size (kWh)

$0.12/kWh x 0.5 kWh battery=$0.06 per charge

 

Even if you fully charged and discharged your e-bike battery every day for a year, your total fuel costs would only be $22. Most e-bike batteries can be fully charged in 4-5 hours with a regular wall outlet.

 

Cost for new e-bike battery (1,000+ cycles): $500-$800

Cost for new e-bike motor (10,000 miles): $150-$200

When looking at an e-bike, it is imperative to consider the following mechanics:

Motor location. There are normally two main types of motors. Mid-drive motors are normally positioned in the middle of the bike, usually between the pedals. Hub-drive motors are located in the center of either the front wheel or, more often, the rear wheel.

Power. The main measurements for power in e-bikes are watts (W), amp-hours (Ah), and volts (V). Check to see if an e-bike lists battery’s voltage and amp-hours (or continuous amperage). To understand how much range you will be able to get out of an e-bike, multiply the amp-hours and volts. This will give you the number of watts that can be delivered by the bike per hour, or watt-hours.

Bicycle Type. There are many types of e-bike, each ranging in price, battery size, and speed. Some types include: cruisers, mountain, road, city, folding, and cargo.

Class. In the U.S., there are three classes of e-bikes.

  • A Class 1 e-bike has a pedal-assist and no throttle.
  • A Class 2 e-bike offers a throttle assist and maximum speed of 20 miles per hour.
  • A Class 3 e-bike is pedal-assist only and does not have a throttle, and has a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour.
closeup of ebike handlebars

E-bikes generally weigh between 40 and 60 lbs.  Standard bikes weigh between 18 and 26 lbs.

E-bikes can’t be carried on roof racks. You’ll need a platform rack that supports the wheels to reduce wobbling and evenly distribute the weight of the bike.

E-bikes can be difficult to maneuver onto racks or up stairs. Some come with stair climb or walking assist functions, but you can usually remove the battery and carry it separately to reduce the bike’s weight.

It is helpful, before making a purchase, to look at the benefits of acquiring an e-bike from a local retailer versus an online retailer. Call your local retailers to see who is selling e-bikes currently in your area or look online to see what options are available.

Certain e-bike manufacturers offer warranties for their e-bikes. Consider if a warranty may be beneficial and, if so, examine the specifics of warranties provided by manufacturers before purchasing.

E-bikes can be ridden even in rain and snow, but should be stored long-term in a cool, dry place.

If your e-bike is going to be stored for long periods outside or in a damp garage, take off the battery and bring it inside. Batteries last longer if stored indoors in a dry, temperate environment.

E-bikes can be more susceptible to theft due to their higher costs and expensive electronic components. Invest in a good bike lock and take the battery off the bike and bring it with you if you have to park in a high-risk area.

10 Tips for Improving Your Electric Bike’s Range

Are you concerned about your electric bike’s range?  Would you like to know some tricks for extending your e-bike range when you have that extra errand to run but don’t have that much charge left in your battery?

Electric bike range is a common concern among e-bikers and I would like to offer some tips that will help you make the most of your electric bike ride.  Some of these tips are obvious but I have thrown in some additional tips that may help you add a few more miles or kilometers to your e-bike range.

Electric Bike Range Tips

1.  Okay, let’s get the most obvious one out of the way.  Make sure your battery is fully charged.  The reason I mention this is because sometimes it is easy to forget about charging your battery after a hard day at work.  Create a routine so that you immediately plug in your battery when you get home.

2.  Pedal harder!  This may be obvious too but it needs to be mentioned.  For instance you may need to run some extra errands and realize that you don’t have that much juice (charge in your battery) left.  You could reduce the assist setting (or use less throttle) and pedal more to compensate for a low battery.  I have limped my e-bike home this way without totally draining the battery.

Another big tip is to pedal harder at the right time.  A lot of energy is consumed when you accelerate from a stop.  If you pedal hard to get your bike off the line this will help conserve your battery energy.  Additionally, hills take a lot of energy so pedaling a little harder on the hills will help improve your range.

3.  Take it easy and enjoy a slow ride.  Wind resistance can really drain you and your battery’s energy.  If you need to extend your range, riding a little slower will reduce the wind drag.  Oh yeah and riding slower is usually safer!

4.  Consider a second charger.  If you have a long commute to work and errands to run, you may need more range than your battery can provide.  You could have a charger at work so that you can recharge during the day.  And if your boss is concerned about the electricity bill you can tell them it will cost pennies to charge your e-bike battery!

5.  Buy a second battery? If you have a really long commute or ride route that you like to do it may be worth buying a second battery to add to your bike.  Some electric bike manufacturers offer the option of adding a second battery to double your range.  Check with your local shop or e-bike manufacturer for more info.

6.  Keep your tire pressure up.  This will make a big difference in how much energy (electric & human) is required to move you and your e-bike around.  Low tire pressure can make your electric bike feel sluggish.  For normal city style e-bikes I recommend a tire pressure of 50-60 psi.  Don’t over inflate your tires though because it can lead to a very rough ride!  Here is a floor pump I recommend.

7.  Replace your old battery.  If you have had your e-bike and battery for a while, the amount of energy your battery can hold will most likely have decreased.  I recommend replacing your battery once the decreased range gets annoying.  Your local electric bike shop can help you with this or you could contact your e-bike manufacturer.

8.  Use the regenerative braking feature.  Some electric bike systems have a regenerative braking feature (Bionx for example) that turns the motor into a generator in order to act like a brake and put a little bit of charge back into your battery.  Typically this is activated by a sensor on one of the brake levers (usually the rear brake lever).  Please note that there is debate in the e-bike world as to how much energy is actually recaptured using regenerative braking.

9.  Take care of your battery!  If you can, store your battery at room temperature.  Batteries don’t like really cold or hot temperatures.   In general it is a good idea to charge your battery often to keep it topped off.  If you don’t ride your electric bike much in the winter, store your battery fully charged and charge it every couple of months.  Try not to leave it plugged in for more than 24 hrs.

10.  Oil your chain.  This will improve your pedaling efficiency and if you have a motor that powers through the cranks of your bike (Panasonic or Bosch for example) it will improve your motor’s efficiency too.  After you oil your chain let it sit for a few minutes before you wipe off the excess oil with a rag.

Drawing of 2 people riding their e-bikes

Contact Us

633 3rd Street

Eureka, CA 95501

Office Assistance:
(707) 269-1700

Automated Assistance:
(800) 931-7232

Contact Page

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Sign up for our Listserv to get the latest news and announcements.

Sign Up

Follow Us

Menu