China’s Ministry of Commerce reported a notable increase in electric bicycle sales under a national trade-in program during the first half of 2025.

The initiative, designed to replace old bicycles with new models, experienced a 113.5% average monthly sales increase compared to previous months.

By the end of June, around 8.47 million new electric bicycles were sold nationwide.

This figure is 6.1 times higher than in 2024.

Provinces such as Jiangsu, Hebei, and Zhejiang each reported sales exceeding 1 million units.

The trade-in program provided subsidies to around 8.4 million buyers.

🔗 Source: Xinhua

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ China’s e-bike dominance shows how policy shapes mobility markets

China’s latest trade-in program builds on two decades of policy support that transformed the country into the world’s e-bike leader, with over 100 million e-bikes sold since 2004 1.

The program’s exceptional results, 8.47 million new e-bikes sold in just six months, demonstrate how targeted government incentives can rapidly accelerate adoption rates 2.

This approach contrasts with the more fragmented incentive landscape in other regions, where e-bike programs vary widely by city or state rather than following national strategies 3.

China’s success stems from long-term regulatory decisions, including classifying certain e-bikes as bicycles to exempt them from licensing requirements and allowing them in bike lanes, creating favorable conditions for mass adoption 1.

The current trade-in program effectively addresses multiple policy objectives simultaneously: stimulating economic activity, improving safety through fleet modernization, and supporting environmental goals.

2️⃣ Small retailers benefit disproportionately from consumer incentive programs

The trade-in program has created a notable distribution of economic benefits, with 82,000 sales stores—most being small businesses and individual merchants—seeing their sales increase by an average of 302,000 yuan ($42,300) each 2.