Ebike Tax Credit Bill: An Open Letter from Aventon CMO

To Whom It May Concern,

Ebike company Aventon wishes to publicly state its support for the Electric Bicycle Incentive Kickstart for the Environment (E-BIKE) Act (H.R. 1019), introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives on February 9th, 2021, by Congressmen Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.). This bill aims to make ebike ownership accessible to those of all socio-economic levels by proposing a 30% tax credit on the purchase of an ebike, with a maximum tax credit value of $1500.

If passed, this bill is almost certain to increase ebikes sales across the nation and, as a direct result of this, Aventon stands to profit from the passing of the E-BIKE Act. This financial gain is not, however, the purpose for our public support for this bill.

The main reason for Aventon’s public support of the E-BIKE Act is that this bill is well aligned with our company’s values and it spotlights the beneficial impacts ebikes can have on the environment and the world we live in.

The proponents of this legislation recognize the more accessible we make alternative and greener modes of transportation, the more we can cut our carbon output and help to fight the climate crisis.

The proposed legislation focuses on the impact ebikes can have on reducing the US’s carbon footprint -with one report suggesting that a 15% increase in ebike transportation could decrease carbon emissions by 11% across the US. However, we also want to highlight the wide variety of other benefits ebikes bring to people and the society we live in:

• Lower level of smog and air pollution as a direct result of lowered carbon emissions

• Ebikes produce a negligible amount of noise pollution

• Ebike use lowers traffic congestion, allowing the vehicles on the road to run faster and more efficiently

• Weighing less than cars and other vehicles, ebikes cut down on road wear and tear, increasing the surface’s longevity and reducing taxpayer costs to resurface roads

• Ebike batteries, unlike a car’s lead acid battery, are made from lithium, a material that does much less harm to the environment and is becoming easier to recycle

• Studies show that people who purchase ebikes over regular bikes are likely to head out for a ride more often. Therefore, ebikes can contribute to an increase in exercise rates nationwide, contributing to American’s overall health

This legislation proposal is especially relevant since the US recently rejoined in the Paris Climate Accord. With President Joe Biden hosting a climate summit on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2021, bills like this are an excellent way for our representatives in both chambers of Congress to mobilize their support for the US’s commitment to resolving the worldwide climate crisis.

The E-BIKE Act is just one of many strategies our government can launch to help every American contribute to reducing our emissions. We hope to see it progress quickly. If you too believe this new bill will have a positive impact on the US and the worldwide struggle to save our planet, please take this moment to contact your representative and encourage them to co-sponsor this bill.

People for Bikes -an excellent bike and ebike advocacy group- has created a simple and easy form we urge you to fill out now. The more people we motivate to support this bill, the better chance we have of it becoming law! So please sign the form and make your voice count now!

Sincerely,

Adele Dagher Nasr

CMO

Aventon