France is Giving €4,000 Subsidy for Trading in Car for E-Bike

France’s government increased the size of the subsidy it offers to people who trade in their gas-powered cars for electric bikes to as much as €4,000 (approx. $3,976) per person.

In this way, the French government tries to incentivize people to ditch their polluting modes of transportation in favor of cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternatives. According to the plane, by 2024 nine percent of the population will switch to bicycles, which is six percentage points higher than now. In comparison, the Netherlands boasts a huge 27 percent in this area.

The subsidy was first introduced last year and was increased after officials determined that more needed to be done to catch up to bike-loving rivals like the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.

People who live in low-income households in low-emission urban zones that trade in their cars are eligible for the full €4,000 subsidy to put toward the purchase of an e-bike. (Traditional, non-motorized bikes also qualify for the incentive.) French citizens from higher income brackets can claim smaller subsidies.