Alternative drives for buses: How to secure funding in 2025
The federal government has released the new funding call to support alternative drives for buses in public transport for 2025. This is the opportunity for fleet operators in municipalities and companies to make the transition to emission-free drives economically viable. Secure the future viability of your fleet through targeted investments in battery and fuel cell technology.
The topic briefly and concisely
Project outlines for the funding of buses with alternative drives can be submitted until August 31, 2025.
New vehicles (battery/fuel cell), the conversion of existing buses, and the necessary infrastructure are subsidized with up to 80% of the additional costs.
The retrofitting of existing vehicles is an eligible and economically attractive alternative to purchasing new ones, especially for fleets with special equipment.
Rising operating costs and strict emission requirements pose enormous challenges for bus fleet operators. Electrification is the logical step, but the investment costs for new electric buses are high. With the new 2025 funding call from the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), the gap between diesel and electric will become significantly smaller. The program not only subsidizes the purchase of new vehicles but also explicitly the conversion of existing buses to alternative drives. For fleet managers, this means: they can maintain the proven substance of their vehicles while setting the course for emission-free and economical operations. Heero is your partner to make the most of this opportunity.
New funding call 2025: An overview of the framework conditions
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has launched the crucial funding call for 2025 for the transition to climate-friendly bus fleets. Transport companies can submit their project outlines until August 31, 2025. The approval of the applications will take place in the fall of 2025, immediately after the adoption of the federal budget law. Since the introduction of the guideline in 2021, funding for approximately 3,500 buses has already been approved, highlighting the enormous potential of the program. Up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a conventional diesel bus will be subsidized. This significantly reduces the financial barrier for the transition. The allocation will take place in a competitive process, where criteria such as CO₂ efficiency and deployment concepts will be assessed. This paves the way for a swift and comprehensive decarbonization of public transport.
What exactly is being funded? More than just new buses.
The focus of the new funding round is on a holistic transformation of bus fleets. The program is designed to be technology-neutral and supports solutions that best fit your operational profile. The funding covers several core areas:
Batterybuses: Classic e-buses and trolleybuses are fully eligible for funding.
Fuel cell buses: Vehicles powered by hydrogen, including those with range extender technology, will also receive subsidies.
Vehicle conversions: A central point is the funding of the D2E conversion of existing diesel buses to battery or fuel cell drive.
Related infrastructure: The necessary charging, hydrogen refueling, and maintenance infrastructure is also funded with up to 80% of the costs.
Especially for fleets with expensive specialized builds, the funding for conversion is an economically superior alternative to new purchases. This way, you protect your previous investments and rely on the principle of circular economy.
The strategic decision: retrofit as an economic advantage
While acquiring new e-buses is often associated with delivery times of over 18 months, retrofitting offers a quick and resource-saving alternative. Our D2E retrofitting of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter takes only 10 days. You not only retain your proven vehicle chassis and valuable superstructure but also benefit from lower total costs (TCO). The funding guidelines explicitly recognize this advantage and support retrofitting as an equivalent measure. This is particularly relevant for municipalities and logistics companies that cannot or do not want to completely replace their specialized fleets. With a range of up to 425 km, our retrofitted vehicles demonstrate their full practical suitability. Take advantage of the opportunity for fleet electrification and sustainably reduce your operating costs. The combination of investment protection and government funding makes retrofitting the smartest form of modernization.
The application process: 4 steps to funding
The path to funding is clearly structured and planned. To make the most of the deadline until August 31, 2025, we recommend a systematic approach. We will accompany you every step of the way, from the initial analysis to the final submission.
Needs analysis and concept: We analyze your current fleet profile and jointly define the appropriate electrification concept – whether it is a new purchase or retrofitting.
Creation of the project outline: Based on the analysis, we create a meaningful project outline that highlights all relevant competitive criteria such as CO₂ savings potential and economic viability.
Submission via easy-Online: The final submission of the documents is made on time via the official funding portal of the Federal Government "easy-Online".
Approval and implementation: After approval in the fall of 2025, we will immediately start with the implementation, whether it is ordering new vehicles or planning the D2E retrofitting in our plant.
A detailed plan is key to success. With our checklist for the funding application, you ensure that no important details are overlooked.
Focus on infrastructure: The foundation for successful operations
An emission-free bus is only as good as the infrastructure that supports it. The funding guideline of the BMV takes this circumstance into account and subsidizes the establishment of the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure by up to 80%. This not only includes the charging stations at the depot but also the planning, grid connections, and intelligent load management. A well-thought-out charging infrastructure is crucial to optimize operational processes and reduce overall operating costs (TCO). We offer you a comprehensive solution that integrates the vehicle and the appropriate charging infrastructure from a single source. Whether you choose battery buses or fuel cell buses, the funding covers the crucial cost points. Thus, the transition becomes not only ecological but also economically a complete success.
Your advantage with HEERO: More than just a vehicle
As a pioneer in the circular economy in the commercial vehicle sector, we offer you a unique solution. The D2E conversion of your existing fleet is not only sustainable but also protects your budget and preserves the value of your special bodies. We combine the reliability of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with our patented drive technology. The result is a fleet that impresses with a range of up to 425 km and superior performance. The current alternative drives buses funding 2025 makes this step particularly attractive now. HEERO is your innovative partner, guiding you from funding consulting through implementation to service. Request your personal consultation now or book a zero-cost everyday test to experience our vehicles' performance for yourself.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) offers comprehensive information on transport policy, funding programs, and initiatives for decarbonizing transport in Germany on its official website.
Through the easy online funding portal of the Federal Government, applications for various federal funding programs, including the promotion of climate-friendly bus fleets, can be submitted digitally.
FAQ
What happens if the federal budget for 2025 does not release the funds?
The current call for funding is subject to the final approval of the 2025 federal budget. Approval of the submitted projects will only take place after the budget law comes into force in the fall of 2025. Therefore, there is a slight residual risk, which is considered politically unlikely.
Is retrofitting my bus really cheaper than buying a new one?
In most cases, yes, especially if you own a vehicle with an expensive special structure (e.g. refrigerated box, workshop van). You save the costs for a completely new structure and benefit from a significantly shorter implementation time compared to the long delivery times for new vehicles. We would be happy to provide you with an individual TCO analysis.
What criteria are decisive in the competitive awarding process?
The submitted project outlines are evaluated based on several criteria. These primarily include the CO₂ avoidance potential, the planned use context (e.g. urban vs. regional), the targeted electrification rate of your fleet, and the specific funding requirement per CO₂ saved.
Does Heero offer support with the funding application?
Yes, we offer comprehensive advice and support throughout the entire application process. Our team of experts helps you create a persuasive project outline and ensures the timely submission of all necessary documents.
What is the range of a Sprinter retrofitted by Heero?
Our Mercedes-Benz Sprinters converted to electric drive achieve a practical range of up to 425 kilometers, depending on the configuration and usage profile. This makes them ideally suited for most daily routes in logistics and passenger transport.
How long does it take to retrofit a vehicle?
The pure D2E (Diesel-to-Electric) conversion of a vehicle in our factory usually takes only 10 working days. This allows you to quickly reintegrate the modernized vehicle into your fleet.
