The Climate Ministry has announced the extension of its Repair bonus with fresh funding until 2025. This bonus now includes cycles without electric motor support, making it accessible to a wider range of consumers. Previously, the federal government’s funding only applied to devices with electronic or electrical components, such as e-bikes, but not normal bicycles.
The voucher for repairing bicycles can be applied for starting in September, as announced by Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler on Tuesday. However, up until now, the repair bonus could not be redeemed at all bicycle dealers due to many dealers not having a business license for bicycle technology or mechatronics, limiting them to simple repairs only. These dealers were not allowed to replace a disc brake or other advanced components.
Over a million devices have been repaired since the repair bonus was introduced, with 130 million euros initially provided from the EU Recovery and Resilience Fund. The continuation of the repair bonus now has 124 million euros from national funds available, with 92 million euros allocated for 2024 and 32 million for 2025.
In 2023, 39 percent of the repairs subsidized via vouchers were for smartphones, followed by 9 percent each for dishwashers, washing machines, espresso and coffee machines, and 5 percent for laptops. An average of around 100 euros is subsidized per repair voucher, with 50 percent of the costs covered up to a maximum of 200 euros. Whether repairing bicycles, smartphones
