€600 grant to buy e-bikes in France

Help is also available in areas outside Ile-de-France, with mairies offering between €100 and €500 towards an electric bike – see tinyurl.com/yx33r7zr.

If your commune is not listed, it is worth asking the mairie.

A national state scheme also exists but is limited to people under the income tax threshold in the previous year who obtained a local grant.

It provides a top-up to a maximum combined sum of €200, or 20% of the bike cost, whichever is lower. See tinyurl.com/ycpaee3l.

The new Ile-de-France scheme requires people to have applied for a local grant and obtained it – or proof that their commune does not offer one.

It was due to start in February but was brought forward by the transport strikes.

Combined with any local award, it will be up to 50% of the cost, up to €500 for an ordinary electric bike, or €600 for a “cargo” bike with a carrying container.

Applications can be made online from February 20 (see iledefrance-mobilites.fr) but you can buy a bike now and keep the facture and documentation.