Electric community buses: As a manufacturer, secure 80% funding until August 31, 2025.
More than 3,500 e-buses benefit from an 80% subsidy – when will you electrify your fleet? Time is running out, as the current funding period for the transition to clean drives ends on August 31, 2025. Act now to stay ahead of rising diesel prices and strict EU regulations.
The topic briefly and concisely
The funding period for an 80% grant for e-community buses and conversions ends on August 31, 2025.
Converting a diesel bus to electric (DTE) conserves resources and is often more economical than purchasing a new one, as expensive structures are retained.
The total cost of ownership (TCO) of electric buses is lower in the long term compared to diesel vehicles due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
As an operator or manufacturer of community buses, you face significant challenges: high operating costs, complex bureaucracy, and the need to meet climate requirements such as the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive create pressure to act. Electrifying your fleet is the pragmatic solution, but the investment seems high. The current subsidy guideline from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) offers a unique opportunity: you receive an 80% grant for retrofitting existing diesel vehicles or purchasing new electric buses. This article will show you in four clear steps how to secure this funding, reduce total costs (TCO), and make your fleet future-proof.
The pressure to act: Why the time for e-citizen buses is now urgent
The pressure to modernize citizen bus fleets is steadily increasing and is fueled by three factors. First, the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) requires public authorities to adhere to fixed quotas for clean vehicles in procurement. By the end of 2025, 45% of new buses must be low-emission, with half of them being completely emission-free. Second, unpredictable diesel prices and high maintenance costs burden the budgets of municipalities and operator associations. Third, the most attractive funding for counter-financing will expire on August 31, 2025. Those who do not act now risk losing subsidies of up to 80% of the investment costs. This deadline makes a quick but well-founded decision unavoidable.
Your 4-point action plan for timely promotion
To ensure compliance with the deadline of August 31, 2025, and to receive the maximum funding, we recommend a pragmatic approach. This checklist will guide you systematically through the process:
Conduct a needs analysis: Analyze your current routes, schedules, and daily mileage. This data is the basis for selecting the suitable vehicle technology and battery size.
Check cost-effectiveness: Compare the options. A diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) conserves resources and can save over 75% of the costs of a new purchase for vehicles with expensive specialized structures. Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to find the most cost-effective long-term solution.
Apply for funding: Submit the application for the 80% funding for additional vehicle costs and the 40% funding for charging infrastructure. Use professional consulting for e-bus funding 2025 to avoid mistakes.
Plan charging infrastructure: Determine the energy requirements and plan the necessary charging points at your depot. Intelligent load management can reduce connection costs by up to 30%.
With this plan, you will create a solid foundation for the successful electrification of your community bus fleet.
Cost comparison: Retrofitting as a cost-effective alternative to buying new
The decision between a new vehicle and retrofitting largely depends on the total costs over the entire lifespan, the so-called Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The TCO considers not only the purchase price but also all expenses for energy, maintenance, insurance, and the potential residual value. While a new e-bus incurs high acquisition costs, the Diesel-to-Electric retrofit (DTE) is a resource-saving and economically smart solution. You retain the bodywork and any expensive, barrier-free modifications of your proven vehicle. Studies show that the TCO of an e-bus can be up to 15% lower than that of a diesel bus, mainly due to 30-40% lower maintenance costs and cheaper energy prices. The DTE solution by Heero, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, maximizes this advantage and conserves your budget. Learn more about the Total Cost of Ownership and how it affects your decision.
Optimize the use of funding pots: 80% grant for vehicles and retrofitting
The current funding guideline for electromobility from the BMDV is the decisive instrument for an economical fleet electrification. It offers two central funding rates that you, as an operator or bus manufacturer, need to be aware of. First: The additional costs for acquiring a new electric bus or the complete diesel-to-electric conversion of an existing vehicle are subsidized by 80%. Second: The establishment of the necessary charging infrastructure is funded by 40% of the costs. Important: The deadline for application submission is August 31, 2025. Applications must be submitted fully and correctly in order to be considered in the "first-come-first-served" procedure. A late or erroneous submission will inevitably lead to the loss of funding. Therefore, professional support during the application process is essential for success.
HEERO technology: Range and reliability for everyday community bus use
The practicality determines the success of a citizen's bus. HEERO, as a manufacturer of citizen's buses, relies on the proven base of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and combines it with powerful e-technology. Our solutions are precisely tailored to the needs of local transport. Here are the key figures of our models:
HEERO Tourer (Minibus 9 Pax): With a range of up to 400 km and a 110/96 kWh battery (gross/net), it also covers long rural routes.
HEERO Rear Low-Floor Bus: It offers up to 300 km range and is ideal for barrier-free passenger transport thanks to the low-floor entry.
HEERO Mid-Floor-Low Bus: With a range of up to 300 km and a charging power of up to 165 kW, it is ready for use again in under 40 minutes.
HEERO DTE-Sprinter: After conversion, your proven Sprinter achieves a range of up to 425 km and becomes part of a sustainable circular economy.
All models use fast charging (DC) with up to 135 kW (Mid-Floor-Low Bus: 165 kW), which minimizes downtimes. These performance figures ensure reliable operation without compromises.
The final step: Building intelligent and supported charging infrastructure
A well-thought-out charging infrastructure is the backbone of your electric fleet and is subsidized by 40% of the investment costs. Planning does not have to be complex. It is crucial to analyze your actual energy needs, which arise from daily driving distances. For most community bus operators, an AC charging station (alternating current) at the depot is sufficient to fully charge the vehicle overnight. In cases of very short turnaround times or high utilization, a DC fast charger (direct current) can be advisable, which brings an electric bus to 80% capacity in 30-60 minutes. An intelligent load management system optimally distributes the available power among multiple vehicles and prevents expensive peak loads. This keeps operating costs consistently low and the availability of your fleet high.
More useful links
Statista provides a statistics about the number of electric buses in Germany, broken down by drive type.
PwC offers comprehensive information and analysis on electromobility in public transportation (ÖPNV) in the E-Bus Radar.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) informs in an article about the promotion of electric buses in public transport.
The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) provides information on e-mobility and other relevant topics in public transport.
The National Control Center for Charging Infrastructure provides extensive information on funding opportunities in the area of charging infrastructure.
Another page of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) contains the funding guidelines for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The Federal Environment Agency published a press release confirming the climate benefits of electric cars.
The Project Management Jülich (PtJ) informs about funding opportunities for investments in the field of electromobility.
FAQ
What is the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD)?
The Clean Vehicles Directive is an EU directive that requires public contracting authorities such as municipalities to adhere to minimum quotas for low-emission and zero-emission models when procuring vehicles. The aim is to improve air quality in cities and boost the market for clean vehicles.
What does Diesel-to-Electric Conversion (DTE) mean?
DTE refers to the conversion of an existing vehicle with a diesel engine to a purely electric vehicle. In this process, the internal combustion engine and tank are removed and replaced by an electric motor and a battery. This is a sustainable solution in the sense of a circular economy, as the vehicle continues to be used.
What is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
The Total Cost of Ownership (Gesamtbetriebskosten) is a calculation method that considers all costs over the entire lifecycle of a vehicle. This includes acquisition, energy (electricity/diesel), maintenance, insurance, taxes, and the residual value. E-vehicles often have a lower TCO than diesel vehicles, even though the purchase price may be higher.
How long does it take to charge an e-citizen bus?
The charging time depends on the battery size and the charging power. At a DC fast charging station with 135 kW, as supported by Heero models, a charge from 20% to 80% can be completed in about 30-40 minutes. A full charge at an AC wallbox overnight typically takes six to eight hours.
Can my existing citizen bus be converted?
Yes, Heero specializes in the conversion of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models, which are a common base for citizen buses. A conversion is particularly useful if your vehicle has expensive special or barrier-free constructions that you want to keep. Contact us for an individual assessment.
What happens if I miss the funding deadline on August 31, 2025?
If you miss the deadline, the entitlement to the high 80% funding from the current BMDV program will lapse. Future funding programs are uncertain and may offer significantly lower grants. Converting your fleet would then become significantly more expensive.
