Electric bike subsidies in France in 2026

Key points

• No general national purchase grant: France’s Bonus Vélo and bicycle conversion grants ended on 14 February 2025.
• Local schemes remain available: regional and municipal authorities continue to offer financial assistance in 2026.
• Support varies by location: confirmed programmes include Île-de-France, Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Occitanie, Toulouse and Bordeaux.
• Income conditions are common: several programmes calculate eligibility or the subsidy amount using the applicant’s reference tax income or household quotient.
• Purchase conditions matter: some schemes accept online purchases, while others require the seller to be professionally established in a particular region.
• Apply within the deadline: some authorities require the application within a fixed number of months after the purchase.

Why choose an electric bike?

An electric bike can provide a practical alternative to the car for commuting, shopping and everyday urban journeys. Pedal assistance makes longer routes, hills and repeated daily travel easier to manage, while energy and maintenance costs are generally lower than those of a private motor vehicle.

A folding electric bike can be especially useful for riders with limited storage space or for people who combine cycling with trains, buses or car journeys. Folding models can be stored more easily at home, in an office or inside another vehicle.

Where an applicant qualifies for financial assistance, the initial purchase price can be reduced significantly. However, the most suitable bike should still be chosen according to comfort, intended use, range, storage requirements and after-sales support rather than the subsidy alone.

Is there a national e-bike subsidy in France in 2026?

No general national purchase subsidy is available for electric bicycles bought in 2026. The national Bonus Vélo and the bicycle-related Prime à la Conversion ended on 14 February 2025.

As a result, buyers now need to look mainly at programmes operated by regions, metropolitan authorities and municipalities. Some employers may also provide support for cycling to work through the forfait mobilités durables, but this is an employment-related mobility benefit rather than a general purchase subsidy available to every consumer.

Where can you find financial assistance?

In 2026, confirmed purchase support is available in several parts of France. The scope of each programme may be regional, metropolitan or municipal.

Before buying, check the official website of your:

• region,
• métropole or intermunicipal authority,
• département,
• municipality.

Use search terms such as aide à l’achat vélo, vélo à assistance électrique, subvention VAE or mobilité durable. Do not rely solely on old comparison articles, as amounts, income limits and eligible purchase dates can change.

Verified regional and local electric bike subsidies in 2026

The following schemes have been checked against official authority websites. This is not an exhaustive list of every municipal programme in France, but it includes some of the most relevant confirmed opportunities.

Important: this table is not an exhaustive list of every local subsidy in France. Conditions, budgets and application periods may change during the year. Always check the official programme page before purchasing your electric bike.

Check the e-bike subsidies available in your area

Electric bike assistance in France depends on your address, income, personal circumstances and the type of bicycle you intend to buy. Use the tool below to identify subsidies that may be available in your area.

Please note: the results provided by the tool are for guidance. Before buying, always confirm the current amount, application deadline, available budget and eligibility requirements on the official website of the authority managing the subsidy.

Important details about each programme

Île-de-France Mobilités

Île-de-France Mobilités offers up to €400 for a standard electric bike or folding bike. Electric cargo bikes can receive up to €600, professional electrification kits up to €200 and adapted bicycles up to €1,200.

The regional aid generally represents up to 50% of the eligible purchase price. Applicants must reside in Île-de-France and submit the required invoice, payment evidence and technical documentation.

Ville de Paris

The Paris scheme covers 50% of the purchase price excluding VAT, with a maximum contribution of €400 for a new VAE. The applicant must be an adult whose main residence is in Paris and whose reference tax income per tax share is no more than €10,000.

The bicycle must be marked with a unique identifier and registered in the French national cycle identification database. Its conformity certificate must refer to EN 15194, and lead batteries are not accepted.

Métropole de Lyon

Lyon’s 2026 programme applies to purchases completed between 1 January and 31 December 2026. The amount depends on the applicant’s reference tax income per share.

For a standard VAE, folding bike or electrification kit, applicants with an income per share of no more than €12,231 may receive 50% of the price, up to €400. Applicants between €12,231 and €26,200 may receive up to €100.

Nantes Métropole

Nantes operates a means-tested solidarity programme. The contribution ranges from €50 to €1,500 according to the household quotient and the category of bicycle purchased.

The household quotient must be no more than 900. The programme accepts several categories, including VAEs, cargo bikes, adapted bicycles and approved electrification kits. Certain second-hand bicycles bought from professionals are also eligible.

Région Occitanie

Occitanie provides a fixed €200 contribution towards a new VAE. The applicant must be an adult individual, live primarily in the region and have reference tax income per share of no more than €14,089.

The electric bike must be bought from a professional whose business operates in Occitanie. The application must be submitted online with a complete file within six months of the invoice date.

Toulouse Métropole

Toulouse Métropole covers 40% of the price excluding VAT, subject to income and vehicle-specific caps. For a VAE, the maximum is €250 where reference tax income per share is no more than €18,800, or €200 where it is between €18,801 and €35,052.

Both new and second-hand bicycles can qualify. Private applicants can receive support for one bike, while eligible professionals and associations may receive assistance for up to three bikes.

Bordeaux Métropole

Bordeaux Métropole’s programme has been extended until 2027. For an electric bike, folding bike or electrification kit, the contribution is:

• €250 where reference tax income per share is no more than €7,100;
• €200 where it is between €7,101 and €15,400;
• €100 where it is between €15,401 and €24,900.

The applicant must live or work within Bordeaux Métropole. The bicycle must be bought from a professional, and the application must be submitted within one year of the purchase.

Ville de Cenon

Cenon residents can apply for an additional municipal contribution of €100 for a VAE or folding bicycle. The applicant must be an adult, have a household tax quotient below €2,200 and purchase a bicycle costing at least €800.

The bike may be new or second-hand, provided that a one-year guarantee is supplied. This municipal scheme may potentially be combined with the Bordeaux Métropole contribution, subject to the full conditions of both programmes.

How can you apply?

The exact process depends on the authority, but most applications follow these steps:

1. Check your geographical eligibility. Confirm that your main residence, workplace or other qualifying address falls within the programme area.
2. Calculate your income indicator. Locate your reference tax income and number of tax shares on your latest tax notice, or obtain your household quotient where required.
3. Confirm the eligible purchase period. Some programmes require the bike to be bought during a particular calendar year, while others allow applications within a fixed period after purchase.
4. Check the seller conditions. Occitanie requires the professional seller to operate within the region. Bordeaux requires purchase from a professional, while other authorities may accept a wider range of retailers.
5. Select a compliant electric bike. Ensure that the model meets the legal definition of a pedal-assisted electric cycle and any additional price or equipment requirements.
6. Request a detailed invoice. The invoice should identify the applicant and clearly show the bicycle model, price and purchase date.
7. Collect the supporting documents. Prepare your identity document, proof of address, tax notice, bank details, invoice, payment evidence and conformity certificate.
8. Submit the application on time. Follow the relevant online or paper procedure and retain copies of the complete application.

What documents are normally required?

The exact list differs between authorities, but applicants commonly need:

• a valid identity card, passport or residence permit;
• proof of address, usually issued within the previous three months;
• the latest complete income tax notice;
• bank details in the applicant’s name;
• a nominative purchase invoice;
• proof that the invoice has been paid;
• the bicycle’s conformity or homologation certificate;
• proof of cycle marking or registration where required;
• additional declarations requested by the authority.

Check that the name and address on the invoice match the applicant’s details. A missing conformity certificate, incorrect buyer name or incomplete invoice can delay or invalidate the request.

Which electric bikes may be eligible?

Each programme has its own rules, but a standard eligible VAE will normally need to comply with the French and European definition of a pedal-assisted electric cycle.

Common technical requirements

• The bicycle is equipped with pedals.
• The motor has a maximum continuous rated power of 250 W.
• Motor assistance is provided only while the rider is pedalling.
• Assistance is progressively reduced and stops before the bicycle reaches 25 km/h.
• The bicycle complies with the applicable EN 15194 requirements.
• The bicycle does not use a lead battery where the programme expressly excludes one.
• The bike is marked or registered where required by the authority.

Can a folding electric bike qualify?

Yes. Several programmes explicitly include folding electric bicycles. Île-de-France, Lyon, Bordeaux and Cenon are examples of authorities that refer to folding bikes within their eligible categories.

Can a Legend eBike qualify?

Legend eBikes are designed as pedal-assisted electric bicycles with 250 W motors and assistance limited to 25 km/h. Nevertheless, final eligibility always depends on the complete rules of the relevant programme.

The authority may also consider:

• the specific model and bicycle category,
• the final purchase price,
• the location or professional status of the seller,
• whether online purchases are accepted,
• the invoice and proof of payment,
• the applicant’s income and place of residence.

The compact Legend Monza and Legend Siena can be particularly attractive for riders looking for a folding electric bike for urban travel and easier storage.

For riders who prefer a conventional city frame, the Legend Milano offers a practical option for commuting and everyday mobility.

Can different subsidies be combined?

Sometimes, but not automatically. Certain programmes expressly allow applicants to combine regional and municipal assistance. For example, the Bordeaux Métropole website lists complementary municipal programmes, including the Cenon scheme.

However, every application must comply with the rules of each authority. Before calculating the final amount, check:

• whether the programmes are formally cumulative;
• whether one authority deducts other assistance from the eligible cost;
• whether both applications require the original invoice;
• whether the same purchase and applicant meet both sets of conditions;
• whether a maximum total public funding percentage applies.

Do not assume that subsidies from different authorities can always be added together.

Choose a Legend eBike with financial assistance in 2026

Local assistance can make an electric bike more accessible, but the subsidy should support a well-considered purchase rather than determine it entirely. Choose a model that suits your daily journeys, storage space, preferred riding position and expected distance.

Explore the Legend Monza, Legend Siena and Legend Milano to compare practical options for urban mobility.

You can also review our updated guide to e-bike subsidies or contact Legend eBikes before ordering. We can help you check the model specifications and prepare the product documentation normally requested by the relevant authority.

Check your local subsidy, select the right Legend eBike and take the next step towards cleaner and more practical everyday mobility.