Is there any assistance available for the purchase of an electrification kit, as there is for the purchase of an electric bike?
Looking for an eco-friendly way to get around town? Subsidies for electric kits and bikes are an excellent solution to help you make the eco-friendly choice while saving money. Some of France’s major cities, such as Paris, Lyon, Toulouse and Bordeaux, offer subsidies to encourage citizens to use sustainable modes of transport. This article will give you all the information you need about the assistance available and how to obtain it. And if you have any doubts about the benefits of electrification rather than a new VAE, take a look here!
Electrification Kit and Electric Bicycle (VAE) purchase assistance in Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux … Where and how to get them?
No time to read everything? in a nutshell:
- Paris: yes, subsidies for electric bikes and electrification kits
- Lyon: yes, subsidies for electric bikes and electrification kits
- Marseille: no help for residents apart from the Bicycle Bonus
- Toulouse: yes to grants of up to €900 boosted by the Occitanie region
- Bordeaux: yes, subsidies for electric bikes and electrification kits
- The rest of France: State Bicycle Bonus up to 400€, but rarely local aid for electrification kits
Assistance available in major French cities: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux…
Paris: subsidies for VAEs and electrification kits
The city of Paris offers assistance of up to 500 euros for the purchase of a VAE and 400€ (33% max ) for the purchase of an electric conversion kit like the one from Syklo. The conditions for obtaining this aid are as follows:
- Be a resident of Paris or one of the communes of the Greater Paris metropolitan area
- Buy a VAE or conversion kit that meets European standards
- Not to have received aid for the purchase of a VAE in the last three years
- Meet income requirements
To obtain the grant, simply fill in an online form on the Paris City Hall website.
https://www.paris.fr/pages/lutte-contre-la-pollution-les-aides-a-la-mobilite-5373
TIPS Bicycle electrification in Paris: if you don’t have the space or the tools at home, sign up for the nearest participatory workshop – there are 27 within the city limits.
Lyon: subsidies for VAEs and electrification kits
Métropole Grand Lyon offers assistance of up to 500 euros for the purchase of a VAE or conversion kit. The conditions for obtaining this aid are as follows:
- Be a resident of Lyon or one of the communes in the Lyon metropolitan area
- Buy an electric bike or conversion kit that meets European standards
- Not to have received aid for the purchase of a VAE in the last three years
To obtain the grant, you can go to the Lyon city council website and fill in an online form. https://avelo.grandlyon.com/choisir-son-velo/les-aides#c378
TIPS Bicycle electrification in Lyon : if you don’t have the space or the tools at home, sign up for your nearest participatory workshop. There are 7 in the inner city and 2 in Villeurbanne.
Marseilles: no assistance for residents apart from the Bicycle Bonus
Unfortunately, the city of Marseille does not offer any assistance for the purchase of an electric bike or a bike electrification kit.
On the other hand, if you live in Marseille, you’re still eligible for the state’s Bonus vélo scheme, which offers up to €400 for the purchase of a bike on a means-tested basis. Find out more here: https: //www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F36828
TIPS Bicycle electrification in Marseille : if you don’t have the space or the tools at home, sign up for your nearest participatory workshop. There are 8 in Marseille and 1 in Aix-en-Provence.
Toulouse: grants of up to €900 boosted by the Occitanie region
The city of Toulouse and the Occitanie region offer assistance of up to 900 euros (with the 400€ state bike bonus) for the purchase of an electric bike, but no assistance for the purchase of a bike electrification kit. The conditions for obtaining VAE assistance can be found here: https: //mesaidesvelo.fr/ville/toulouse
TIPS Bicycle electrification in Toulouse : if you don’t have the space and tools at home, go and sign up for the nearest participatory workshop, of which there are 8.
Bordeaux: subsidies for electric-assist bicycles and electrification kits
The city of Bordeaux (Bordeaux Métropole) offers a subsidy of up to 500 euros for the purchase of a VAE or 100€ for the purchase of a conversion kit like the one from Syklo. The conditions for obtaining this grant are as follows:
- Be a resident of Bordeaux or one of the communes in the Bordeaux metropolitan area
- Buy an electric-assist bike or conversion kit that meets European standards
- Not to have received a subsidy for the purchase of a VAE in the last three years
To obtain the subsidy, you can go to the Bordeaux website and fill in an online form here: https: //sedeplacer.bordeaux-metropole.fr/Velo/Pratique/Aide-a-l-achat-de-velo
TIPS Bicycle electrification in Bordeaux : if you don’t have the space and tools at home, go and sign up for the nearest participatory workshop, of which there are 4.
And the rest of France: The French government’s Bonus Vélo up to 400€, but rarely any local aid for electrification kits.
Few local authorities offer assistance with bike electrification kits, but take the time to check out what’s available – there’s always good news!
For the purchase of electrically-assisted bicycles at national level, there’s a state aid scheme called Bonus vélo, which offers up to €400 for the purchase of a bike on a means-tested basis. Find out more here: https: //www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F36828
How do I obtain a subsidy for an electric kit or electrically-assisted bicycle?
To obtain the subsidy for the purchase of an electric kit or electrically-assisted bicycle in one of the French cities listed above, you need to follow the steps below:
- Check eligibility: Each city has its own specific eligibility criteria. It’s important to check whether you’re eligible before buying your electric kit or electric bike. MesAidesVélo. fr is a mine of valuable information.
- Buy your electric kit or electric-assist bike: Make sure you buy an electric kit or electric-assist bike that meets European standards to be eligible for aid.
- Apply for the grant: To apply for the grant, go to the city’s website and fill in the online form. Be sure to provide all the information requested.
- Wait for confirmation: Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll need to wait for confirmation from the city to find out if you’re eligible for the grant. If you are eligible, you will receive an e-mail or letter with instructions on how to apply for assistance.
FAQs:
How long does it take to get the grant?
The time required to obtain the subsidy varies from city to city. It usually takes a few weeks to a few months to receive confirmation and help. In the meantime, keep your copy of the purchase invoice safe.
Do all towns in France offer subsidies for electric kits and electric-assist bicycles?
No, not all towns in France offer assistance for electric kits and electric-assist bicycles. However, more and more cities are beginning to offer subsidies to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport.
Can I get help for an electric bike and a conversion kit at the same time?
In general, you can’t get a grant for an electric-assist bike and a conversion kit at the same time. You’ll need to choose the option that best suits your needs. For professionals, the purchase price of the bike, including VAT, will be used to calculate the purchase premium.
Conclusion: aid varies from region to region and city to city
Subsidies for electric-assist kits and bicycles are an excellent way of encouraging the use of sustainable modes of transport while helping citizens save money. If you live in one of France’s major cities, such as Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse or Bordeaux, you may be eligible for assistance with the purchase of a bike electrification kit or an electric bike.
It’s important to note that additional support is available for other types of bike, such as cargo bikes (electrically-assisted cargo bikes) and folding bikes. Some bike stores offer to take care of the application for purchase assistance to make things easier for you, but you’ll need to bring the necessary supporting documents with you to avoid any disappointment over the amount of assistance finally received, as the purchase price will remain the same.
Bear in mind that, depending on your cycling habits, a new bike with financial assistance may not always be the most economical choice compared with a second-hand bike, despite the purchase subsidies offered in many cities. And if you’d like to start building your own VAE with a crankset motor kit, we’ve put together a little comparison between the two motors on the market : Tongsheng’s TSDZ2 and Bafang’s BB01.
