The City of Tampa's Parking Division announced that the e-bike Voucher Program is back, which could encourage residents to switch to cleaner transportation with more affordable e-bikes.
The e-bike Voucher Program is an application-based, lottery-style program where qualifying participants may be awarded a discount of up to $3,000 when purchasing a new e-bike, WFLA reported. The program awarded over 450 vouchers to participants in 2023 and 2024, and officials said that this year's program has $500,000 in funding.
The voucher program will provide up to 248 vouchers to qualified applicants, offering different discount amounts per type. Standard gives $1,000 off, low-income gives $2,000 off, and very low-income gives $3,000 off.
To qualify, applicants must be City of Tampa residents who are at least 18 years old and have not previously redeemed a voucher through the program.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
They'll need to submit a signed purchase quote from one of the participating shops, which are listed on the program's website. If they receive a voucher, they must also purchase an appropriate helmet at the designated bike shop upon redemption.
Using an e-bike offers a cheaper transportation option. As shared by Upway, fuel for electric bikes costs $0.22 per 100 miles on average, while car fuel costs around $14.69 per 100 miles.
Upway offers a wide range of bikes, with many up to 60% off retail prices, and can help commuters get e-bikes that fit their needs. The company also buys used e-bikes, creating an option for people looking to sell their bikes.
To save even more money, e-bike owners can charge their bikes using home solar. TCD's Solar Explorer helps owners shift to solar power and save up to $10,000 with competitive bids from vetted installers. Plus, there are $0-down subscription options for those looking to keep upfront costs low.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
Beyond financial benefits, riding e-bikes supports physical and mental health. According to National Geographic, e-bike use can help improve cardiovascular health and overall well-being.
E-bikes may also help reduce pollution linked to daily transportation. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that pollution released by gas vehicles accounts for about 28% of pollution in the U.S. Riding an e-bike could also be better for the environment because they don't produce tailpipe emissions, per GreenCars.
|
What's the most you'd pay per month to put solar panels on your roof if there was no down payment?
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
$200 or more 💰 Other cities are also working toward making clean transportation more accessible with rebate programs, including Bend, Oregon, and Washington, D.C.
Tampa officials emphasized that the vouchers provided by the program are not for getting free e-bikes. The vouchers can be applied to buying a Class 1 e-bike, which is pedal-assisted only, or a Class 2 e-bike, which can be either pedal or throttle-assisted.
Applications for the program will be open from February 13, 2026, until February 27, 2026.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
Cool Picks
