Tehran Municipality Subsidizing e-Bikes

EghtesadOnline: As part of efforts to curb air pollution and promote electric motorcycles, Tehran Municipality is offering an incentive to e-bike buyers worth 25 million rials ($208).

News ID: ۷۴۶۵۸۶

29 January 2019

The price of electric motorcycles, which were around 100 million rials ($833) last March has almost doubled  over the past few months.

Based on guidelines by Tehran City Council to compensate the surge in prices, the TM is subsidizing the eco-friendly electric vehicle.

To be eligible for the incentive, buyers should fill an application form on the website of Tehran Air Quality Control Company (air.tehran.ir) affiliated to the municipality. Applicants are required to enter their personal ID details plus the information of the motorcycle, Financial Tribune reported.

According to TM rules, the incentive is offered only once to each Tehran resident who buys an electric motorcycle running on a 3kw/h or more powerful batteries.

After the documents are sent by the applicant and verified, the buyer will receive the grant in a month.

Some observers say lowering the minimum driving age from 18 to 16 and allowing women to drive the two-wheelers could encourage more people to use e-bikes.

The TM move is hoped to promote the application of the zero-emission electric motorcycles in the metropolis and help curb air pollution in overcrowded capital.

Mayor Steps In

With the aim of making e-bikes affordable, Tehran’s mayor earlier said that talks are underway between the municipality and local startups and knowledge-based companies to boost e-bike production.

“Talks are underway between TM and knowledge-based firms and local companies to design and manufacture e-bikes at affordable prices,” Pirouz Hanachi said.

So far only imported e-bikes are available in the market and cost over 120 million rials ($1,000).