Tehran Municipality Incentivizing Electric Motorbike Purchase

In line with Tehran Municipality’s plans to reduce air pollution, the city council is offering grants to people wanting to buy electric motorbikes.

The municipality has launched a website (air.tehran.ir) specifically for this purpose. Customers can log on and receive the funds, local automotive website Persian Khodro reported.

There are no limitations and all the people and organizations are eligible for the non-refundable financial aid.

According to the transportation and traffic deputy of Tehran Municipality, Maziar Hosseini, those who want to buy an electric motor bike will receive a grant of 25 million rials ($675).

Over three years the municipality has been striving to boost demand for the plug-in electric vehicles.

The official noted that electric motorbikes have not been marketed properly and are underexposed. “To increase the popularity of such products TM has signed contracts with manufacturers of electric motorbikes to provide them working capital and help in manufacturing, exports and after-sales services.”

Hosseini added that a stronger determination is needed to effectively promote the use of electric motorbikes and the relevant organizations must work together to provide infrastructure and support local production of such vehicles.

He called for cutting red tape in receiving registration plates, setting up electric charging stations and increasing loans.  

Several knowledge-based companies currently produce electric bikes and lithium batteries—one of the key components of electric cars and motorcycles.

Given the toxic air pollution that grips the sprawling capital for almost the entire year, the government has become a strong proponent of hybrid and electric vehicles.  

On the event of National Clean Air Day in January President Hassan Rouhani unveiled two electric motorbikes.

One model the ‘Avita’ was built at the Shahid Rezaei Research Center affiliated to Sharif University of Technology.  

An electric motorcycle manufactured by the knowledge-based company Bana Sharif was also displayed at the event. Bana Sharif is a joint venture set up by Sharif University of technology and Jahanro Company which manufactures motorbikes. The company manufactures electric cars, hybrids and electric motorcycles.