A scoping review of the design and characteristics of e-bike financial incentives

Abstract

E-bikes are recognised as a sustainable mode of transportation with an unmet potential for widespread adoption. However, despite a decade of global implementation, research gaps persist regarding the design and characteristics of incentive programmes for e-bikes and their effectiveness. This review examines different design elements of implemented financial incentive programmes for e-bike uptake in OECD countries. The findings reveal three main components common to these schemes: (1) target cohort, with the majority of programmes focusing on the local population; (2) eligible e-bike types, with regular e-bikes being the most frequently chosen; and (3) financial incentive structures aimed at maximising uptake among the target cohort, with post-purchase rebates being the most prevalent. Another significant aspect identified was the allocation process, predominantly following a “first come, first served” structure. Very few (n = 4) studies included in this review assessed the effectiveness of financial incentives to purchase an e-bike. The variety of designs in these schemes, coupled with a lack of effectiveness assessments and limited evidence, highlights challenges in determining optimal transport policies. In addition to highlighting the knowledge and research gaps, this review synthesises global insights on design elements of financial incentive schemes to boost e-bike uptake, providing a guide of available components of such schemes for programme administrators in designing executive programmes.