e-Transport support

Deliver-e Small Business Grants totalling $300,000 to support small businesses to purchase battery electric delivery vans and cargo e-bikes have now closed. Visit the Deliver-e grants page for more information.

The fourth and final funding round of the e-Mobility Rebate program for e-Mobility devices such as e‑bikes, cargo e‑bikes, e‑scooters and e‑skateboards is now closed, as the funding has been fully allocated.

Rebates of 12 per cent of the purchase price were available, up to:

• $250 for e‑scooters and skateboards
• $500 for e‑bikes
• $1,000 for cargo e‑bikes

Road safety

We recommend you read the road safety rules for personal mobility devices.

We also recommend you read the rules for e-bikes in the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 and the Road Rules 2019, which limit the size of the power output for e-bikes.

Battery safety

Generally, e-Mobility devices are very safe. Issues such as battery fires can occur when batteries are not charged or stored correctly, or the device is of low quality.

Please read the Tasmania Fire Service Home Fire Safety Fact Sheet (PDF 172.7 KB) for more information about battery safety or visit the Tasmania Fire Service website for more information about home fire safety.

Tips for battery safety

The final round of e-Mobility rebates for e-bikes, cargo e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards is now closed, as the funding has been fully allocated.

What was the purpose of this program?

The Tasmanian Government offered rebates to support Tasmanians to purchase an e‑Mobility device for their daily commute.

Emissions from transport are a significant contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. The Tasmanian Government is committed to supporting e-Mobility as a transport option to reduce emissions and congestion, and improve health and wellbeing.

The program is part of Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25, which includes actions to reduce emissions from our transport sector by increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, and encouraging public and active transport.

What is an e-Mobility device?

E-Mobility devices are electrically powered transport options for personal mobility. They include e-bikes and personal mobility devices (PMDs) like e-scooters and e-skateboards. To be eligible for the rebate, the e-Mobility device must have met the Tasmanian Government definition of an e-bike or PMD.

What e-bikes were eligible?

An e-bike (regular or cargo-sized) is defined under the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 and Road Rules 2019 as either:

• a bicycle with an auxiliary motor(s) with a power output or combined power output of not more than 200 watts
• a ‘power-assisted pedal cycle’ as defined by the relevant Australian Design Rule (ADR), which is a maximum continued power output of 250 watts that progressively reduces as the cycle’s speed increases, and cuts off where the cycle reaches a speed of 25km per hour or the cyclist stops pedalling.

E-bikes that meet these requirements do not need to be registered and riders do not need to be licenced. The road rules for bicycles apply to these categories of e-bikes.

To be eligible for the rebate, an e-bike must meet this definition.

What is the difference between an electric bike and a cargo bike?

Cargo bikes are a type of e-bike designed to carry cargo, luggage, or extra passengers. They are designed to carry a greater load and have a longer frame.

What personal mobility devices (PMDs) were eligible?

A personal mobility device (PMD) is defined by the Tasmanian Government as a device that:

• has at least one wheel
• is less than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
• weighs less than 45kg
• is not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h
• is designed for use by one person.

The definition of a PMD aims to include a variety of micro-mobility technologies such as e‑scooters, e‑skateboards, self balancing hoverboards and one wheel devices.

To be eligible for the rebate, a PMD must meet this definition. Bicycles, motorised scooters, motorised wheelchairs, and wheeled recreational devices are not a PMD.

How much was available for rebates?

A total of $200,000 was available. Each successful applicant could get a rebate of 12 per cent of the purchase price of an e-Mobility device, up to a maximum amount for each category of e-Mobility device. These maximums are:

• $250 for personal mobility devices, such as e-scooters and e-skateboards
• $500 for e-bikes
• $1,000 for cargo e-bikes

Where can I buy an e-Mobility device?

To be eligible for the rebate, the e-Mobility device must have been bought at a Tasmanian-based retailer. This requirement is to ensure customers can be informed by reliable information from a local retailer and select an e-Mobility device that is both appropriate for their needs and meets the other eligibility criteria.

What was required for the application?

• Proof of device purchase from a Tasmanian-based retailer, such as a tax invoice with the retailer’s Australian Business Number (ABN) and purchase date.
• Proof of identification, such as a driver licence, passport, or identification card.
• Proof of residential address, if your identification does not have a residential address. A bank statement, rates notice, utilities bill or similar is acceptable.
• Bank account number and BSB for rebate payment. This bank account must be in the same name as the applicant.
• A completed tax form – this will be available in the application. The form is an Australian Tax Office Requirement to confirm you are not a business for GST purposes.

Who was eligible?

Applicants must have met the following criteria to be eligible for a e-Mobility device rebate:

• Be an individual (not a business or organisation).
• Live in Tasmania.
• Be over the age of 16 years.
• Have purchased and received an e-Mobility device after the grant start date (17 November 2023) from a Tasmanian-based retailer.

I already have an e-bike, can I claim the rebate?

No. Applicants were only eligible for rebates on e-Mobility devices purchased after the grant start date (17 November 2023).

Was there a minimum or maximum spending amount on a e-Mobility device to be eligible?

There was no purchase price minimum or maximum limit. However, for each e-Mobility device category there was a maximum rebate available. See “How much is available for rebates?” for more information.

How does the Tasmanian Government manage personal information?

Personal information will be managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. The Tasmanian Government may use and disclose applicant information for the purposes of the rebate program. Further information can be found in the grant guidelines document.

How many e-Mobility devices could an applicant buy?

One device per applicant was eligible for a rebate.

Could businesses apply?

No, the rebate program was limited to individuals.

What happens after applying for a rebate?

The applications were assessed by the Climate Change Office and applicants were to be advised of the outcome within 15 business days of submission. If an applicant was successful, the rebate was paid into a nominated bank account.

When did applications close?

The program was delivered in four rounds, with $50,000 available in each round. The start dates for each round are listed below.

• Program opens (Round 1): 17 November 2023
• Round 2: 17 December 2023
• Round 3: 17 January 2024
• Round 4: 17 February 2024
• Program closes: when remaining funding is exhausted

Applications for each round will close when the funding for that round is fully allocated. When each round closes, SmartyGrants will not accept further applications in that round. Unallocated funding from the first three rounds has been added to Round 4, which is the final round. The program has now closed a funding for Round 4 has been exhausted.

Are e-Mobility devices safe? What about battery fires?

Generally, high quality e-Mobility devices are very safe. Issues such as battery fires can occur when batteries are not charged or stored correctly, or the device is of low quality.

Information on e-Mobility device safety can be found on the Tasmania Fire Service website.

Could I get any bike?

No. To qualify for a rebate as an e-bike, the bike must be electrically powered and meet the definition under the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 and the Road Rules 2019. See “what e-bikes are eligible?” for more information.

Could I buy an e-Mobility device for my child under 16 years old?

No. The rebate only applied to e-Mobility devices that are intended for users over the age of 16.

Were accessories for e-mobility devices, such as helmets and baskets, included in the rebate?

No, only the e-mobility device itself was eligible for a rebate.

Will the government measure the effectiveness of the program?

Yes. With applicants' permission, a short survey was sent on receipt of the rebate and then a follow-up survey six months later. These surveys are anonymous and information will be managed according to privacy legislation. Participation was voluntary.

What happens if an applicant returns their e-Mobility device?

The rebate is provided to assist with the purchase of an e-Mobility device. If an applicant received a rebate for an e-Mobility device that they then returned, they would need to contact the Climate Change Office to return the rebate funds.

Were kits that convert a standard bike into an e-bike eligible for the rebate?

No. Only new e-bikes or e-cargo bikes were eligible.

Climate Change Office contact details

Phone: 03 6166 4466

Email: climatechange@recfit.tas.gov.au

The final round of e-Mobility rebates for e-bikes, cargo e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards is now closed, as the funding has been fully allocated.

Download the Fact Sheet - e-Mobility Rebate: Information for Retailers (PDF 681.3 KB).

Rebate details

From 17 November 2023, the Tasmanian Government is offering rebates on new e‑Mobility devices purchased from Tasmanian retailers.

The rebate will support the purchase of e‑Mobility devices used for transportation, not recreational purposes.

This initiative is part of Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25, which includes actions to reduce emissions from our transport sector by increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, and encouraging public and active transport.

Rebate amounts

Post-purchase rebates of 12 per cent of the purchase price were available to customers who purchased an eligible device. Customers had to complete an online rebate application form and provide identification and proof of purchase. If approved, the corresponding rebate amount was deposited in the customer’s nominated bank account.

The 12 per cent rebate was capped at the following maximum amounts:

• up to $250 for personal mobility devices
• up to $500 for e‑bikes
• up to $1,000 for cargo e-bikes.

Rebates were managed by the Department of State Growth and offered until available funds were exhausted. A total of $200,000 was available. Fractional amounts were rounded up to the nearest dollar.

Information about eligibility for the rebate is detailed below.

Retailer participation

The rebates were awarded to customers directly by the Department of State Growth after they purchased their device. Retailers were not required to provide the rebate.

There are currently many e-Mobility products available for purchase in Australia that did not meet the eligibility requirements for this rebate. These are products that are legal for use on private property or designated bike trails but not on Tasmanian public streets, such as some mountain e-bikes.

This program was only available for e-Mobility devices that are purchased at a Tasmanian-based retailer (not online). Customers are likely to seek assistance from retailers when purchasing a rebate-eligible product. To help these customers, please familiarise yourself with the rebate requirements in this fact sheet.

Rebates were available from 17 November. If needed, please indicate to your customers which of your e‑Mobility products are ‘rebate eligible’ with a sign or tag.

The aim of the program was to increase e‑Mobility use for transport purposes. We encouraged retailers to highlight the benefits of transport-focused features, such as:

• rear and front racks for baskets and panniers
• mud and chain guards
• a kickstand
• wired-in front and back lights
• sufficient battery range.

Eligibility requirements

This rebate only applied to e-Mobility devices that are intended for users over the age of 16, electrically powered, and meet the Tasmanian Government definition of e‑bike or personal mobility device for the purposes of this program. Devices that meet these requirements are legal to use on Tasmanian public streets. (Visit transport.tas.gov.au for more information.)

An e‑bike (regular or cargo-sized) is defined under the Vehicle and Traffic Act 1999 and Road Rules 2019 as:

• a bicycle with an auxiliary motor(s) with a power output or combined power output of not more than 200 watts
• a ‘power-assisted pedal cycle’ as defined by the relevant Australian Design Rule (ADR), which is a maximum continued power output of 250 watts that progressively reduces as the cycle’s speed increases and cuts off where the cycle reaches a speed of 25km per hour or the cyclist stops pedalling.

A cargo e‑bike is a type of e‑bike that is designed to carry luggage or extra passengers. They are rated to hold a greater load than a standard e‑bike and have a longer frame.

A personal mobility device (PMD) is defined by the Tasmanian Government as a device that:

• has at least one wheel
• is less than 125cm long, 70cm wide and 135cm high
• weighs less than 45kg
• is not capable of travelling faster than 25km/h
• is designed for use by one person.

The definition of a PMD aims to include a variety of micro-mobility technologies such as e‑scooters, e‑skateboards, self‑balancing hoverboards and one‑wheel devices.

Bicycles, motorised scooters, motorised wheelchairs, and wheeled recreational devices are not a PMD.

Contact

For more information about the e-Mobility Rebate Program or to get in touch with a Program Manager, please contact the Climate Change Office in Renewables, Climate and Future Industries Tasmania (ReCFIT):

Email: climatechange@recfit.tas.gov.au

Phone: 03 6166 4466

The Electric Vehicle Program has now closed to stage one applications and will not be reopened.

Guidelines

• Download the electric vehicle rebate guidelines (PDF 425.2 KB)
• Read the electric vehicle rebate guidelines (webpage)

What was the purpose of this program?

The Electric Vehicle Rebate was designed to support the uptake of electric vehicles in Tasmania.

By providing rebates of $2,000 to individuals who purchase eligible vehicles, the Tasmanian Government aimed to:

• reduce Tasmania’s transport emissions by encouraging consumers to replace internal combustion engine vehicles with electric vehicles
• provide financial incentives to the greatest number of consumers
• increase electric vehicle purchases that would not have taken place without the support of the program.

The program is part of Tasmania’s Climate Change Action Plan 2023-25, which includes actions to reduce emissions from our transport sector by increasing the uptake of electric vehicles, public, and active transport.

Applying for a grant

Applications are now closed.

There were two stages in the application process.

• Stage 1 – if you have purchased, or intend to purchase, an eligible vehicle after the start date of this program on 17 November 2023 you can apply for Stage 1. If successful, you will be placed on the Register and your grant held for six months.
• Stage 2 – once you have received and registered your vehicle in Tasmania within six months of your Stage 1 application, you can apply for Stage 2 to receive payment of the grant.

You must have applied for Stage 1 to be eligible to apply for Stage 2.

What if I purchased my electric vehicle but by the time it arrives, the rebates have been exhausted?

By allowing applicants to register for the rebate at Stage 1 once they have purchased or intend to purchase an electric vehicle, applicants are not disadvantaged or likely to miss out on the grant if the vehicle takes some time to arrive in Tasmania.

However, applicants cannot hold their spot indefinitely. From the date applicants have been approved for Stage 1, a six-month time limit will apply. If the Stage 2 application is not submitted within this timeframe, the grant will be released for reallocation to a new applicant.

Could I receive the grant for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

No. The grant was only available for eligible battery electric vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles still emit tailpipe emissions. The government is prioritising support to purchase zero emission vehicles to help us achieve our emissions reduction goals.

Can I receive the grant on a second-hand electric vehicle?

Second-hand electric vehicles are eligible for a grant, provided the vehicle is new to Tasmania.

The program aimed to reduce transport emissions by increasing the total number of electric vehicles in Tasmania. Both new electric vehicles and electric vehicles that are “new to Tasmania” were eligible.

Purchasers of “new to Tasmania” vehicles were required to provide proof of the vehicle’s pre-registration inspection, to prove that the vehicle was not purchased second-hand in Tasmania.

Were electric motor bikes and scooters eligible for the grant?

No. Electric motorbikes and scooters were not included in the program because they are typically lower cost options and are less likely to require a purchase incentive.

When does the vehicle need to be registered to be eligible?

Eligible vehicles need be registered in Tasmania after the date of commencement for the program and within six months from the date of submitting an application for Stage 1.

Any vehicle registered before 17 November 2023 was not eligible for a grant.

My application met all eligibility criteria, was a grant guaranteed?

No. There were a total of 375 available grants and the program closed when the funding was exhausted. Applications were assessed in the order that they were received.

Was there a limit on the number of claims I could make for the rebate?

An individual could only claim the rebate for one eligible vehicle that is registered in Tasmania.

Could I receive both the e-Mobility grant and this grant?

Yes, these are separate support programs. If you met the eligibility requirements, you could apply and receive both grants.

I purchased my electric vehicle before the date the program commenced, could I apply for the grant?

No. Applicants were only eligible for rebates on eligible vehicles ordered and purchased after the grant start date.

The program is aimed at supporting future purchases of battery electric vehicles to increase the uptake of EVs in Tasmania.

If I purchased an electric vehicle through a lease arrangement (including a Novated Lease), could I apply for a rebate?

No. Electric Vehicles (EVs) purchased under a lease arrangement were not eligible for the EV rebate program. 'Lease arrangements' include all arrangements related to leased vehicles, including those accessed under a ‘novated lease’.

One of the reasons for this is that the outright capital costs to the customer purchasing an EV are typically avoided under lease or fleet organisation arrangement.

Lease arrangements may also cover operational costs such as registration, servicing, and fuel, and may be eligible for some tax exemptions, such as the Australian Government’s Fringe Benefits Tax exemption for electric vehicles.

If my application was successful, how and when would I receive the rebate payment?

If your application was successful, you would have been notified of the outcome by email, and the $2,000 rebate would be credited to your nominated bank account.

Please note that it may take up to one week from the date you are notified for the payment to appear in your nominated bank account.

If you have not received your rebate within this time, please contact us on 03 6166 4466 or by email at climatechange@recft.tas.gov.au.

I can’t afford a zero emission vehicle. How is this going to help me?

We recognise the cost of zero emission vehicles may be too high for some people to participate in this scheme.

The rebate is intended to stimulate the supply of new zero emission vehicles in Tasmania, which will eventually flow through to the second-hand market. Large fleets also commonly dispose of their vehicles after one to five years, which provides an opportunity to buy used zero emission vehicles at a more affordable price.

How will the government measure the effectiveness of the electric vehicle rebate program?

Applicants were asked to participate in a short survey at the end of the application process. Completion of the survey was voluntary. The feedback will help the government decide whether the program should continue or whether another form of support would better contribute to the increased adoption of electric vehicles in Tasmania. Survey input will be crucial in shaping the future of sustainable transport initiatives in the state.

How does the Tasmanian Government manage personal information?

Personal information is managed in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Act 2004. The Tasmanian Government may use and disclose applicant information for the purposes of the rebate program. Further information can be found in the grant guidelines document.