Essen: Last chance for cargo bike funding – 50,000 euros awarded!

Essen: Last chance for cargo bike funding – 50,000 euros awarded!

With funding for cargo bikes and bicycle trailers, the city of Essen has sent a strong signal for climate protection. But important news for those interested: The funding budget of a total of 50,000 euros for 2025 has now been exhausted. How Essen.de reported, 77 applications have already been approved this year - 51 for cargo bikes and 26 for bicycle trailers. This shows that the chemistry between the citizens and the cargo bike promotion is right!

The support was part of the City of Essen's Action Plan for Sustainable Energy and Climate Protection (SECAP). After funding was suspended in 2024, the program was launched again in April 2025. Particularly pleasing for families: The new family bonus of up to 2,000 euros for a cargo bike and up to 500 euros for a bicycle trailer has undoubtedly motivated many people to apply.

Funding criteria and amount

The funding grew from the original 20 to 30 percent of the purchase price. The maximum limit for cargo bikes was 800 euros, while up to 200 euros could be charged for bicycle trailers. The program particularly supports families with children and people entitled to benefits who were also able to apply for a bonus.

Anyone interested in purchasing an e-cargo bike or an e-cargo trailer should note that BAFA has specified numerous criteria. For example, the wheels must offer a transport option that is inextricably connected to the bicycle and have a higher volume than conventional bicycles. The total weight is also crucial: it must be at least 170 kilograms.

Popularity of cargo bikes

The demand for cargo bikes, especially with electric assistance, has increased significantly in recent years. How fahrrad.de reported, 167,000 cargo bikes were sold in Germany in 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 62 percent compared to the previous year. Of these, 120,000 electric cargo bikes stand out, which are becoming increasingly popular for environmentally friendly transport in urban areas.

But which models are actually eligible? In addition to the classic cargo bikes, there are different types, such as Long John, Longtail Bikes or Cargo Trikes. However, not every model is eligible: For e-cargo bikes, the electric drive support may only be up to 250 watts and this must be interrupted at a speed of 25 km/h.

However, one critical note remains: applications must be submitted before purchasing a cargo bike, and the funding programs are often not uniform, meaning that funds can quickly be exhausted. Applications are usually managed digitally, which makes it easier for new users to keep track of the status.

The positive development and the high level of interest in cargo bikes make it clear that the trend towards more sustainable forms of transport is meeting with a positive response not only in Essen, but also nationwide. Maybe it's time for you to think about switching to a cargo bike! Anyone interested in the next round of funding should keep their eyes open and take action in good time.