E-Bike Tariffs: Do They Protect or Hurt the Industry?

Our Written Article:

Prior to June of 2024, e-bikes were exempt from Section 301 tariffs, but the United States Trade Representative allowed this exemption to expire.

We looked at pricing data from before and after the tariff exemption expiration to determine what effect this import tax had. As anticipated, prices increased, but there is also much more to the story.

In a time when consumers are already feeling squeezed by inflation, these price increases have compounded existing problems, making e-bikes less affordable. Naturally, this has reduced sales, causing brands themselves to feel the crunch. .

If tariffs continue to be applied to e-bikes, the industry could suffer. Brands could shut down, employees could find themselves without work, and e-bikes could become luxury items. We need your help in turning things around!

1:00 - Overview
03:18 - Tariffs Increase
06:19 - Future Of Tariffs & The Industry
08:34 - Help!

[DM-fpuw]

There's no argument that a tariff is a good thing when there is no American ebike manufacturing whatsoever.

[triaxe-mmb]

It could be argued that tariffs worked on cars in that they made Japanese and European car companies shift a good amount of their production and even their supply chains to the US and so the American jobs lost due to the decline of ghe big3 were somewhat offset by new jobs with these foreign manufacturers and their suppliers...

I am no fan of the tariffs but to say they never have a benefit is short sighted...we just don't see the benefits yet since they have only been in place a short time on e-bikes vs the tarrifs on automobile imports...

[JasonBetz-kr]

Tariffs almost always do more harm than good in any industry. Period.

[chow-chihuang]

If this resulted in domestic manufacturing or improving infrastructure for cycling, I’d accept the tariffs.

If they don’t, then it’s only hurting the brands, retailers and customers. It was sad to see Juiced go bankrupt and sell off all its assets, though I never bought any from them because none of their models matched what I was looking for, but I know they did for many people.

Propel is working with partners on an initiative called Bloom to develop some amount of domestic ebike manufacturing, but I’ve not yet heard of any results.

[scottrichards]

All $ from tariff should be used to improve bike infrastruction, currently only painted lanes or non-existent in central and SE Ohio😢

[jpetho]

Electric Bike Company (EBC) bikes are in fact fully built in the USA. I know, because I work for them.

[AzurePanda]

What in the Ai hell is that thumbnail??!?

[JackS-yx]

These tariffs seem to be a penalty on the wrong manufacturers

[polok]

Yah, an e bike using 1/5 a HP should be headline news. Theyre so efficient, big biz / government doesn't want any recognition of ebikes

[MartinRasmussen-eh]

There are some US manufacturers. TRIOT is a recumbent tadpole trike manufacturer in Kaysville, Utah. It is considered to be one of finest trikes made. To export a triot trike to Germany there is a 34 percent duty tax. The European brands have been importing their trikes to the USA duty free. Maybe the lack of tariffs is why there are so few manufacturers in the US.

[proliteguy]

Seems the fact the market is flooded with unsold bikes due industry leaders being so short sighted and thinking the covid effect would last forever. This is what happens when you have an industry run by enthusiasts not business people.

[chv-]

Isn’t Electric Bike Company building e-bikes in the US? Why should American manufacturers pay tariffs when companies importing from China would get a pass? Seems unfair to U.S. businesses who are dedicated to building quality bikes locally. Do others think supporting tariffs could help protect American jobs and keep local production going?

[SHOTYOUOS]

Tarrifs on Ebikes make prices go up! then US makers will make them at a higher price . It's very bad for buyers

[docwatson]

I didn't know about the lithium battery tariff starting in 14 months, that's steep!
With the massive investment's by CATL, in thier manufacturing facilities in China, and new battery innovation, I've been seeing a steady drop in prices on lithium batteries during 2024.

I would expect that trend to continue, and in part offset the increased cost caused by the tariff.

It's obvious the public wants to buy these bikes, and wants to buy them for cheap.
Probably see Chinese companies setting up manufacturing in Mexico to reach that goal.

[taylorrather]

Let’s incentives the companies that actually manufacture in the US like Electric Bike Company!

[garyclark]

Well, it wouldn’t change my vote, but it does deserve some attention because of its unintended consequences. As the battery mandate of EV’s are bringing new US jobs with foreign manufacturers manufacturing their EV’s to the United States I think the Electric Bike industry could benefit from such a model as well as the consumers that work for them and use their products. 🤔

[Thinkreal]

Best e bik to buy here in the uk please?

[louisesumrell]

I got a Vivi C26UL for $500 through Walmart a few weeks ago. It is high quality and works great. I can't tell you how it does on hills because I live in eastern NC, (no hills 😂), but it's strong at takeoff...

[junyer]

John, thanks again for this very valuable content, ? Just curious: What's your favorite ebikes/brand to ride, I say bikes because I am assuming you have a few.

[WonderingEyeAdventurer]

There are domestically built companies like the ELECTRIC BIKE COMPANY (EBC) which FULLY designed, developed and constructed their bikes domestically (WITHIN THE USA). Please go see for yourselves, this is a great American owned company that builds all their own bikes and provides incredible employment opportunities within the manufacturing industry. ELECTRIC BUKE COMPANY! Fact not an opinion.