Get your Ava Bike Electric rebate at SB Berkeley

If you live in the East Bay and have been thinking about getting an e-bike, this is the moment. Ava Community Energy's Ava Bike Electric program is offering instant rebates of up to $1,500 off a new e-bike for eligible Alameda County residents - and Sports Basement Berkeley is one of the best places in the Bay Area to put that rebate to work. Our bike team knows this program inside and out, we carry a curated selection of premium e-bikes (from Aventon, Cannondale, Scott, BMC & more!) that qualify, and we'll walk you through the whole thing from application to first ride.

Here's everything you need to know.

 

What Is the Ava Bike Electric Program?

Ava Bike Electric is an incentive program run by Ava Community Energy - the local electricity provider serving much of Alameda County - designed to make e-bikes more accessible, cut carbon emissions, and support local bike shops in the process. Eligible participants can receive an instant rebate of $400 to $1,500 off the purchase price of a brand-new qualifying e-bike at a participating bike shop like ours.

The rebate amounts break down like this:

• Standard e-bike (commuter/city style):
  • Base instant rebate: $400
  • Income-qualified rebate: $1,000
• Cargo e-bike:
  • Base instant rebate: $900
  • Income-qualified instant rebate: $1,500
• Adaptive e-bike:
  • Base instant rebate: $900
  • Income-qualified instant rebate: $1,500

If you qualify for the income-qualified rebate, you'll also receive an additional $250 toward safety equipment (helmets, lights, and locks) on top of your e-bike rebate.

 

Do You Qualify?

To be eligible for the program, you must:

• Be a customer of Ava Community Energy OR a resident of Alameda County
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Be able to show photo ID and proof of address at the time of purchase (your ID and address must match what you used in your application)
• That's the baseline. Berkeley residents are squarely in the program's service area, so if you live here, you very likely qualify.

To qualify for the higher income-qualified rebate, your household must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy) — for PG&E customers
• FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance) — for PG&E customers
• EAP (Energy Assistance Program) — for Alameda Municipal Power customers
• If you're not sure whether you're enrolled, contact PG&E or Alameda Municipal Power directly — it's worth checking before you apply.

One more thing to know: the program allows one rebate per person, with a maximum of two rebates per household. Each person must apply individually.

 

How the Application Process Works

1. Apply online: Head to avaenergy.org/go-electric/e-bikes/bike-electric and complete the application. Ava will verify your eligibility and email you a status update.
2. Enter the monthly drawing: Once confirmed as eligible, you're automatically entered into the next three consecutive monthly drawings. Drawings happen on the fourth Tuesday of every month. You need to submit your application by 11:59 PM the night before to be included in that month's drawing.
3. Receive your rebate code: If selected, you'll get an email with your unique instant rebate code, the rebate amount, and an expiration date. You'll have 60 days to use it. If you need a little more time, you can request a one-time 15-day extension by emailing the program administrators before the rebate expires.
4. Come see us: Bring your rebate code and your ID to Sports Basement Berkeley. Our bike team will help you find the right bike, apply the rebate at the point of sale, and get you set up and ready to ride.

A few important things to keep in mind: the rebate can only be redeemed in person at a participating bike shop — online purchases don't qualify. It applies only to the base price of a new qualifying e-bike, not to taxes, accessories, or used bikes. And if your rebate is worth more than the bike you purchase, the remaining balance is forfeited — so pick the bike you actually want.

 

Our Qualifying E-Bikes

We carry a strong lineup of Aventon, Cannondale, & Troxus e-bikes at the Berkeley store, and several qualify directly for the Ava Bike Electric rebate. Here's a look at what's on our floor:

Aventon Soltera 2.5: The Lightweight City Commuter

If you're looking for a nimble, efficient city bike that feels like a real bicycle — just faster and less sweaty — the Soltera 2.5 is it. At around 46 pounds, it's one of the lightest e-bikes in this class, and it handles like it. The 350W motor uses a dual-sided torque sensor that delivers power in a way that feels natural and intuitive rather than jarring, which means whether you're threading traffic on Telegraph or cruising the bike path along the Bay, the assist matches your effort instead of overwhelming it.

The big upgrade from the previous Soltera is the switch to Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, which offer meaningfully better stopping power and control — a real-world difference you feel every time you slow for an intersection. The bike has a real-world range of around 35 miles per charge and tops out at 20 mph as a Class 2 e-bike, with both a throttle and pedal assist system. It also includes a full-color display, integrated turn signals, and front and rear lights.

This bike qualifies as a standard e-bike under the Ava program - eligible for $400 off or $1,000 if you're income-qualified.
 

Aventon Abound LR: The Family Cargo Workhorse

If your goal is to replace car trips with a bike that can actually do the job — hauling kids, groceries, gear, or all of the above — the Abound LR is the one to look at. The 750W motor, long rear rack, and 440-pound payload capacity make this a genuine cargo hauler, and it's built for it from the ground up.

The Abound LR stretches the proven Abound SR platform with an extra 7 inches of rear rack space, giving you room to fit two child seats comfortably. The 750W hub motor with 80 Nm of torque handles hills and heavy loads with ease, and the range stretches up to 60 miles per charge. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes use a 203mm rear rotor for dependable stopping power even when you're coming downhill with a full load, and you get Aventon's integrated lighting — headlight, brake light, and rear turn signals.

The Abound LR also comes with Aventon's Control Unit (ACU), which adds GPS tracking, geofencing, 4G connectivity, a motion alarm, and a locking kickstand — features that matter a lot when you're leaving an expensive cargo bike locked up outside.

This bike qualifies as a cargo e-bike under the Ava program - eligible for $900 off or $1,500 if you're income-qualified. At $1,999, that income-qualified rebate gets you most of the way there.
 

Aventon Abound SR: Compact Cargo, Same Power

The Abound SR is the shorter-wheelbase sibling of the LR - same motor, same battery, same carrying capacity, same ACU tech stack. The compact frame keeps you agile around the city while still giving you the platform to carry passengers and gear. If your cargo needs lean toward a single child seat or loaded panniers rather than two kids and a week of groceries, the SR might actually be the better fit. It's a little easier to maneuver and park, and it's still a serious machine.

Like the LR, it qualifies as a cargo e-bike - $900 off base, or $1,500 off if you're income-qualified.

Aventon Pace 4 Step-Through: The Smart Cruiser

The Pace 4 is built for people who want to cruise - comfortably, confidently, and without overthinking it. The 500W motor is paired with an improved dual-sided torque sensor, making pedal assist very smooth and quiet. The range has been pushed out to 70 miles on a charge, which is well above average for a bike in this category and more than enough for any errand run or commute in the Berkeley area.

The step-through frame and sub-17-inch standover height make getting on and off easy, and the BMX-style handlebars put you in a comfortable, upright position. At around 53 pounds it's lighter than you'd expect for a bike this capable. It also comes with the full Aventon ACU suite - GPS, geofencing, a rear wheel lock, Apple Watch connectivity, and over-the-air software updates. Hydraulic disc brakes, a Shimano Altus 8-speed drivetrain, and a suspension seatpost round out a very complete package.

This bike qualifies as a standard e-bike under the Ava program - $400 off base, or $1,000 off if you're income-qualified.
 

Cannondale Cargowagen Neo: The Compact Cargo Workhorse

The Cargowagen Neo is built for people who want to move more - kids, groceries, gear, or all three at once - without needing a huge bike to do it. The Bosch Performance Speed mid-drive motor delivers smooth, confident power up to 28 mph, and the 545Wh battery provides plenty of range for daily school runs, grocery trips, and commuting around town. With a total carrying capacity of about 200 kg (roughly 440 lbs), it’s designed to handle serious loads without feeling sluggish or unwieldy.

The long-tail design keeps the bike compact and easy to maneuver, while the small 20-inch wheels lower the center of gravity for extra stability when you’re carrying passengers or cargo. A low step-through frame makes getting on and off simple, and thoughtful features like the heavy-duty kickstand, integrated running boards, lights, and built-in wheel lock make everyday errands easier. It’s powered by trusted Bosch components, paired with a Shimano Deore 10-speed drivetrain and powerful hydraulic disc brakes, giving it the durability and stopping power you want when the bike is fully loaded.

If you’re looking for a cargo e-bike that rides like a normal bike but works like a small car, the Cargowagen Neo is a seriously practical way to replace short trips and carry more on two wheels.

This bike qualifies as a cargo e-bike under the Ava program - $900 off base, or $1,500 off if you're income-qualified.
 

BMC 257 AMP AL Speed One: The Fast Commuter

The 257 AMP AL Speed One is built for riders who want their commute to feel quick, efficient, and a little more like a real ride than just transportation. The Bosch Performance Line Speed mid-drive motor provides smooth, natural assist up to 28 mph, with plenty of torque to make hills and longer distances feel manageable. A 625Wh Bosch PowerTube battery delivers strong real-world range, easily covering most daily commutes with plenty of charge left for extra miles.

The aluminum frame keeps the bike light and responsive for an e-bike in this class, and the fully integrated battery and internal cable routing give it a very clean, understated look. A Shimano CUES 11-speed drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes provide reliable shifting and confident stopping power, while wider 37mm tires add comfort and stability for rougher city streets. Integrated lights and the Bosch Kiox display round out a very polished commuter setup.

This bike qualifies as a speed e-bike under the Ava program — $400 off base, or $1,000 off if you're income-qualified.

Why Come to Sports Basement Berkeley?

The Ava Bike Electric rebate is a significant amount of money, and using it well means picking the right bike for how you actually ride — not just the one that's in stock. Our Berkeley bike team knows these Aventon models well, understands exactly how the Ava rebate process works at point of sale, and will make sure your purchase goes smoothly from rebate code to final fit.

We can also help you think through which bike makes the most sense for your needs, whether you qualify for the cargo or standard rebate tier, and what accessories to consider. And if the bike you want is currently out of stock, as long as you order it and pay within your 60-day rebate window, you can still use your rebate — even if the bike hasn't arrived yet.

Stop by our Berkeley location and talk to the bike team. Bring your rebate code, your ID, and proof of address, and we'll take it from there.

Apply for the Ava Bike Electric rebate - then come see us.