The region and the Sparkasse welcome the federal government’s funding of cargo bikes
REGION (red). From March 1st, the purchase of commercial cargo bikes and cargo trailers with electric drive support will be subsidized with a premium of 25 percent, but a maximum of 2500 euros. The purchase premium can be applied for at the Federal Office for Export Control (BAFA) and runs until February 2024, as pointed out by the Hanover region, which launched a funding program for companies, freelancers and associations for the purchase of cargo bikes for the first time in 2017. The financial resources were provided by the Sparkasse Hannover. “Four years ago we were among the first nationwide at the municipal level to distribute cargo bike funding – so I am pleased that the federal government is now taking up this sensible measure and expanding it,” said Ulf-Birger Franz, the head of transport for the Hanover region In 2017, regional subsidies for around 150 commercially used cargo bikes with up to 1,000 euros were approved. The beneficiaries were craft businesses, but also daycare centers, old people’s homes and freelance creative people. The funding came from the “Sparkassenbrief N +”, with which the Sparkasse promotes climate and environmental protection projects in the Hanover region. For the financial institution, press spokesman Stefan Becker confirmed: “With our joint program, we were able to make a significant contribution to the acquisition of cargo bikes. Especially for smaller craft and service companies, the subsidy was usually the last argument still necessary to buy. In this way, we were able to make traffic in the region a bit more climate-friendly and, last but not least, strengthen the regional bicycle trade. The cargo bike has found its place in everyday life. ”The Sparkasse Hannover will continue to support meaningful and sustainable projects in the region with the funds from the Sparkassenbrief N +. Funding by the Federal Environment Ministry through the “E-Cargo Bike Directive” starts on March 1st, 2021 and runs until February 29th, 2024. The cargo bikes with electric drive support must be new, may only be designed for the transport of loads and must have a payload of at least 120 kilograms. All necessary information can be found at: www.klimaschutz.de/foerderung/e-lastenfahrrad-richtlinie
Photo: Philipp Westphal / Region Hanover
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