Orange County E-Bike Buyback Program Exceeds Expectations, Collects Nearly 1,000 Vehicles
Orange County, California, recently conducted its first electric vehicle buyback program, which saw nearly 1,000 e-bikes, e-motorcycles, e-scooters, and pocket bikes surrendered. The event, held at Angel Stadium, exceeded organizers' expectations, with all $110,000 worth of gift cards distributed within two hours of its start. Participants exchanged their electric vehicles for gift cards ranging from $200 to $1,000, redeemable at major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. District Attorney Todd Spitzer stated that the funds for the gift cards were sourced from criminal enterprises and specifically earmarked for crime prevention efforts. The sheer volume of surrendered vehicles, enough to fill nine 26-foot U-Haul trucks, highlighted the significant demand for such a program and the unexpected number of electric vehicles in circulation that residents were willing to turn in.