DIAMOND BAR, Calif., (February 22, 2001) - Consumers can receive a $250 rebate toward the purchase of an electric bike from four manufacturers including EV Global Motors, Total EV, Zapworld.com and Giant Bicycle thanks to a Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) clean air project. The MSRC is a committee responsible for funding transportation-related projects that reduce air pollution in Southern California. Under the rebate program, consumers will receive $250 at the point of purchase of a specified electric bike to be used primarily for commuting to and from work or to be used in lieu of driving a car. Bike purchasers will be required to fill out a brief survey at the time of purchase with information about their use of the bike, and must agree to complete a follow up survey that will be mailed to them six months after their original purchase. Bike purchasers must possess a valid California driver's license to be eligible for the rebate. "Electric bikes are a great, non-polluting alternative for commuters who work a short distance from their home," said William G. Kleindienst, chairman of the MSRC and mayor of Palm Springs. "We hope the $250 rebate will entice more and more consumers to consider purchasing an electric bike for their commute. It's cost effective, fun and puts absolutely no emissions into the air." Typically, an electric bike can range in cost from $750 to $1,600. A total of $100,000 has been earmarked for the program with $12,500 allocated to each manufacturer. Another $50,000 is available to any of the bike manufacturers that deplete their initial rebate funds. The rebate program ends on Dec. 31, 2001 or sooner if all MSRC inventive funds have been expended. Each electric bicycle eligible for a rebate will include a minimum manufacturer's warranty of one year parts and labor; is capable of traveling 15 miles per hour on level terrain with no pedal assist and have a minimum range of 15 miles in all-electric mode. To find out more information about participating bike manufacturers and distributors, click on to their websites at www.ebike.com (EVGlobal Motors), www.ebicycles.com (Total EV), www.zapworld.com (Zapworld.com) and www.giant-bicycle.com (Giant Bicycle).