E-Mobility Rebate Scheme

The Queensland Government expended a total of $1.93 million in rebates to Queensland residents through the E-Mobility Rebate Scheme, helping to reduce the upfront cost of purchasing a new e-bicycle or e-scooter.

The scheme sought to promote the safer usage of e-mobility devices by encouraging the uptake of high-quality e-bicycles and e-scooters as clean and active transport options.

The scheme allowed up to 3 devices for 3 individuals per household, with approved applicants able to receive up to:

• $500 per eligible e-bicycle (including cargo e-bicycles); or
• $200 per eligible e-scooter.

The scheme was highly popular with the Queensland community, with a total of 4,774 Queenslanders benefitting from the rebates.

Two-thirds of the rebates were for e-bikes and one-third were for e-scooters. Over 80% of total rebates were taken up by residents of South-East Queensland. Outside South-East Queensland, the highest rebate uptake was in Cairns (2.8% of total rebates), Townsville (2.3%) and Toowoomba (1.8%).

The scheme guidelines included criteria to ensure a sufficient level of responsibility and required identification documents (applicants must be 18+). Applicants were also required to read the Queensland road rules for e-bicycles and e-scooters, as well as safe charging practices.

If used safely and in compliance with the rules, e-scooters and e-bicycles offer significant environmental and social advantages by easing traffic congestion, promoting health, improving the accessibility of transportation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

There are no plans to provide a new round of funding or launch a similar scheme. The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority administered the scheme on behalf of the Department of Transport and Main Roads.