Washington E-Bike Rebate: Eligibility, Lottery, and Documents

The Washington e-bike rebate takes $300 or $1,200 off the price of a new electric bicycle at checkout, with the larger amount going to lower-income households. The program is run by the Washington State Department of Transportation and awarded through a monthly lottery, so applying on day one gives you no advantage over applying later in the cycle.¹

How Much You Can Get

There are two tiers. Any eligible Washington resident can receive a $300 rebate toward an e-bike and qualifying safety accessories like helmets and locks. Residents whose household income is at or below 80% of their area median income qualify for $1,200 instead.¹

Area median income cutoffs come from figures published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, so they vary by county and household size.² A four-person household in King County has a different cutoff than a two-person household in Yakima County. Check HUD’s income limits for your area before you apply.

The rebate is applied directly at the register at a participating bike shop. You don’t pay full price and wait for a reimbursement check. If the bike costs less than your voucher, the difference doesn’t come back to you as cash.³

Who Qualifies

The eligibility bar is intentionally low. You need to live in Washington and be at least 16 years old.⁴ The program does not require U.S. citizenship, a driver’s license, or a Social Security number. Meet those two conditions and you qualify for the $300 tier.

For the $1,200 tier, you also need to show that your household income sits at or below 80% of area median. Current enrollment in SSDI, SSI, SNAP, Medicaid, or a property tax exemption or deferral program substitutes for income documentation entirely. If you already receive one of those benefits, that’s the simplest path.⁵

Which Bikes and Shops Count

All three classes of electric bicycles are eligible, along with electric trikes and adaptive bikes. Under Washington law (RCW 46.04.169), the three classes are:

Class 1: motor assists only while you pedal and stops helping at 20 mph.
Class 2: has a throttle that can move the bike without pedaling, but motor assistance cuts off at 20 mph.
Class 3: motor assists while you pedal up to 28 mph, and the bike must have a speedometer.

Electric scooters, mopeds, and motor-driven cycles don’t qualify. The bike has to be new and purchased from one of the program’s approved retailers with a physical Washington location. More than 100 shops participate statewide. Online-only retailers without a Washington storefront are not eligible.

How the Lottery Works

Washington’s program isn’t first-come, first-served. You register through the online portal at ebikeswsdot.aptim.com, submit your eligibility documents, and enter a pool. The program draws winners from that pool each month.⁴

The second application round opened March 30, 2026, and runs through March 29, 2027. Monthly drawings began April 13, 2026.⁴ If you aren’t picked in a given month, your application stays in the pool for the next drawing. You just need to be in the pool before a drawing to be eligible for it.

Documents to Have Ready

Proof of Residency

You need a document dated within the past year that shows your name and a Washington address. A utility bill, bank statement, or lease agreement all work. If you don’t have a standard document or a fixed address, a letter from a community organization like a school, library, food bank, or health center verifying that you live in Washington is accepted.

Income Verification for the $1,200 Tier

For the larger rebate, you need one of the following:

Your 2023 or 2024 federal tax return (Form 1040), specifically Line 11 showing your Adjusted Gross Income.
Proof of current enrollment in SSDI, SSI, SNAP, Medicaid, or a property tax exemption or deferral program. A benefits letter or enrollment confirmation is enough.⁵

After You’re Selected

Winners receive a voucher that can be redeemed at any participating bike shop in Washington.⁵ Bring the voucher in, pick your e-bike and any eligible accessories, and the rebate comes off your total at checkout.

Plan on 45 days from the date you receive the voucher to make your purchase. If it expires, the funds go back into the pool for other applicants. Don’t register for the lottery unless you’ll be ready to buy relatively soon after a potential win.

1
WSDOT E-Bike Rebate Program. WSDOT E-Bike Rebate Program
2
Washington State Department of Transportation. Designing and Evaluating Electric-Bicycle Incentive Programs Policy Brief
3
Washington State Department of Transportation. E-Bike Rebate Program
4
Washington State Department of Transportation. Washington’s E-Bike Rebate Program Opening Second Application Round March 30
5
LISC. WSDOT E-Bike Rebate Program Portal Guide