HARTFORD, Conn. — An e-bike incentive program from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is back and on a roll for the second time.
The program is an extension of the state’s DriveCHEAPR.org program which was originally designed to help lower-income recipients afford electric vehicles.
Bike shop owners and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam stood beside DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes to extol the virtues of the second generation of the e-bike program.
Dykes said, “This is the second time we’re awarding these incentives. Last year, we had $750,000 to award – ultimately, we helped 422 recipients get on a bike.”
“A lot of people don’t have meaningful access to a car – it's 40% across the city of Hartford,” Arulampalam added. “Making these vouchers stackable means Hartford residents can actually afford e-bikes for the first time.”
Keith Goeben, the manager of the Bloomfield-based Berkshire Bike and Board shop said, “the idea is to get more people out on e-bikes and raise awareness and just how good and fun they can be.”
Arulampalam is hoping to get more Hartford residents aboard e-bikes.
"It's greener, it’s better for our city and the environment and it’s also what people need in the city of Hartford to just get around,” Arulampalam said.
Dykes said, “We really want to prioritize getting these incentives to folks who are maybe income challenged or on state assistance and who really need the most help.”
Applications for the vouchers for the e-bike program open on Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. To learn more, click here.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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