Beijing has released detailed implementation rules for its 2025 electric bicycle (e-bike) trade-in subsidy program, offering personal consumers up to 650 yuan (about $90 USD) per vehicle to replace old, registered e-bikes with new, approved models. The policy targets e-bikes deregistered after December 1, 2024, and new purchases registered from January 1, 2025, applied for via the “Jing Tong” mini-program from February 8 to December 10. This initiative supports national efforts to update consumer goods, reduce safety hazards from aging e-bikes, and promote sustainable urban mobility.

Background

The guidelines stem from national directives by China’s National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Commerce, which allocated 1 billion yuan nationwide for e-bike trade-ins in 2025 to accelerate equipment renewal and consumer upgrades. In Beijing, the program addresses ongoing safety concerns from the city’s vast e-bike fleet, including fire risks from old lithium-ion batteries, as part of a comprehensive annual action plan for e-bike hazard mitigation. Eligible participants must trade in e-bikes registered before December 31, 2024, in Beijing, with the same owner handling deregistration and new registration. Subsidies include a base 500 yuan for new e-bikes priced at 1,500 yuan or more (post-discounts), plus bonuses: 100 yuan for switching from lithium-ion to lead-acid batteries and 50 yuan for battery health assessments. Multiple city departments, including commerce, traffic police, and environmental bureaus, oversee implementation, funding, and promotion.

Future Outlook

This program is poised to significantly boost e-bike safety and turnover in Beijing, potentially reducing accidents and battery waste while encouraging adoption of compliant, eco-friendly models listed in the city’s product directory. By integrating with sustainable transport goals, it could alleviate pressure on urban cycling infrastructure, promote greener commuting, and serve as a model for other Chinese cities—and globally—for incentivizing micromobility upgrades. With national backing, similar initiatives may expand, fostering safer, more sustainable cycling ecosystems worldwide.

Sources

• Primary: Beijing Municipal Government - Policy Interpretation of the 2025 Beijing Electric Bicycle Trade-In Subsidy Implementation Rules
• Ministry of Commerce Press Conference (January 23, 2025)
• China Distributes 1 Billion Yuan in E-Bike Trade-In Subsidies