Bus Electric Use Cases: How to Secure 80% Funding by 31 August 2025
Already over 3,500 E-Buses are benefiting from an 80% subsidy – when will you electrify your fleet? With the funding deadline on 31 August 2025, rising diesel prices, and the Clean Vehicles Directive, now is the crucial time to act.
The topic briefly and concisely
The current funding round by the BMDV offers up to 80% subsidy for the purchase or conversion of electric buses. The application deadline is 31 August 2025.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of electric buses is often lower than that of diesel buses due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) is a sustainable alternative to purchasing new, conserving resources and adhering to the principles of a circular economy.
The transition to electromobility is no longer an option for bus fleet operators, but a strategic necessity. High operating costs due to fluctuating diesel prices, the CO₂ levy of 55 euros per tonne from 2025, and strict EU regulations such as the Clean Vehicles Directive create considerable pressure to act. At the same time, the current funding round from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) offers a unique opportunity: up to 80% of the additional costs for acquisition or a Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion are subsidised. This article shows you in four clear steps how to seize this opportunity, reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of your fleet, and operate sustainably.
Deadline 31 August 2025: Understanding the current funding landscape
The time to electrify your bus fleet is now. The BMDV has launched a new funding call that runs until 31 August 2025. Transport companies can submit project proposals for the procurement of battery buses or conversions and benefit from a funding rate of up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a diesel bus. The associated charging infrastructure is subsidised by up to 40%. This funding is a direct response to climate goals and regulatory requirements. Over 1,000 funded e-buses are already in operation on Germany's roads, avoiding around 830,000 tonnes of CO₂. The awards are granted via a competitive process, with criteria such as CO₂ savings potential and the degree of fleet electrification being assessed. The legal basis for this transformation is the Clean Vehicles Directive, which obliges public procurers to adhere to fixed quotas for clean vehicles.
Your 4-point action plan for timely electrification
A structured approach is the key to applying for funding in a timely manner and mastering the transition successfully. With this checklist, you will navigate safely through the process:
Conduct needs analysis: Analyse your current route profiles, circulation schedules, and daily mileage. Capture the energy requirements per line to accurately determine the necessary battery capacity. This forms the basis for all further decisions.
Define vehicle solution: Weigh the advantages of a Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) against a new vehicle. A conversion conserves resources and is often the more economical choice for special superstructures. Heero offers practical solutions with a range of up to 425 km.
Prepare funding application: Gather all necessary documents for submitting the project outline by 31 August 2025. A detailed plan and a compelling presentation of the CO₂ savings potential are crucial here for success.
Plan charging infrastructure: Design an intelligent charging management system. Plan depot chargers (overnight) and potential fast charging points (DC) along the route. Heero buses support DC charging capacities of up to 165 kW.
The careful planning of these four steps lays the foundation for an economically and ecologically successful fleet transformation.
TCO Analysis: Evaluating the Cost-effectiveness of E-Buses
Total Cost of Ownership Instead of Purchase Price
The higher purchase price of an electric bus is often perceived as a hurdle. However, an analysis of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which includes the total operating costs over the entire lifespan, presents a different picture. The TCO calculation considers all costs incurred and makes different types of drives fairly comparable. Studies show that the TCO of an eBus can already be up to 10% lower than that of a diesel bus today. Lower maintenance costs due to the elimination of oil changes or exhaust systems contribute up to 40%. Considering the total operating costs is crucial for a future-proof investment.
Cost Comparison: Conversion vs. New Purchase
The conversion of an existing diesel bus is a particularly economical option. It is not only cheaper to purchase than a new vehicle, but also preserves the value of the existing vehicle. This is a central aspect of the circular economy. The key cost advantages of a converted eBus include:
Lower Energy Costs: Electricity is cheaper and more price stable in operation than diesel.
Reduced Maintenance: The simple design of the eDrive reduces workshop costs by up to 40%.
No CO₂ Tax: From 2025, the levy of 55 Euros per tonne of CO₂ will be eliminated.
No Toll Costs: E-Vehicles are exempt from the HGV toll.
These factors lead to a situation where the investment in a DTE conversion often pays off in just a few years.
Technology and Sustainability: The Heero Solutions in Detail
Circular Economy Through Diesel-to-Electric Conversion
A DTE conversion represents lived sustainability and a clear commitment to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle, its lifecycle is extended by many years. A converted vehicle produces around 40% fewer emissions over its entire lifespan than a newly manufactured electric vehicle. This approach conserves valuable resources such as steel and aluminium and avoids the energy-intensive production of a new chassis. Heero has perfected this process and offers serial conversions for existing vehicles, ensuring quality and reliability.
Heero Electric Buses: Performance for Every Application
For different electric bus applications, Heero offers specific vehicle solutions with state-of-the-art battery technology. All models are characterized by high ranges and practical charging capacities. Here is an overview of the current key figures:
Medium-low floor bus: With a 137 kWh battery (gross), it achieves up to 300 km range and charges with up to 165 kW DC power.
Rear-low floor bus: Equipped with a 110 kWh battery (gross), it also achieves up to 300 km range with a DC charging power of up to 135 kW.
Tourer (Minibus 9 Pax): The flexible minibus for up to 9 people manages up to 400 km range with its 110 kWh battery (gross) and charges with up to 135 kW.
These technological specifications guarantee that a suitable and powerful solution is available for almost every urban and regional application.
Your Opportunity: Set the Course for 2025 Now
The combination of legislative pressure from the Clean Vehicles Directive and the attractive 80% subsidy creates a unique window of opportunity for transforming your fleet. The deadline on 31st August 2025 requires decisive and strategic action now. A conversion or new acquisition not only sustainably reduces your operating costs but also positions your company as a pioneer for clean mobility. Don’t wait until rising costs and regulatory penalties affect your competitiveness. Use the remaining time to make an informed decision and secure the maximum subsidy. Start your subsidy analysis: Answer three questions, receive your grants roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% subsidy.
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More useful links
The BMDV provides a press release about a funding call for buses.
The Nationale Leitstelle Ladeinfrastruktur provides information on charging infrastructure.
The Umweltbundesamt offers an analysis of the environmental footprint of motor vehicles.
You can find an article about electromobility in Germany at the BMDV.
PwC provides an analysis of the market for electric buses as part of its E-Bus Radar.
Statista provides statistics on the number of electric buses in Germany by type of drive.
The VDV (Association of German Transport Companies) provides information on the topic of e-mobility.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on electric buses (in English).
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the e-Bus funding?
Eligible applicants are transport companies and other stakeholders in the bus sector in Germany that wish to convert their fleets to environmentally friendly drives. This includes both public and private operators.
What does Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mean?
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or overall operating costs include all costs incurred during the entire lifetime of a vehicle. This includes acquisition, energy, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and residual value. A TCO analysis allows for a fair comparison of different types of drives.
What are the advantages of a Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion?
A DTE conversion is more cost-effective than a new vehicle, extends the lifespan of existing vehicles (circular economy), significantly reduces operating costs, and is supported with the same high rate of 80% as a new purchase.
What charging infrastructure do I need for e-buses?
The required infrastructure depends on the deployment profile. Usually, a combination of depot charging (AC, overnight) and, if necessary, rapid charging (DC) at terminal stops or on the depot is used. Planning should be tailored to specific circulation plans.
How reliable is the range of Heero e-buses in winter?
The specified ranges are realistic figures. As with all electric vehicles, the range can decrease in winter due to the energy demand for heating. However, modern thermal management systems and proactive route planning ensure reliable operation even in cold temperatures.
What happens if I miss the deadline on 31 August 2025?
After the deadline, it will no longer be possible to submit an application under this specific funding call. Whether and when a new call with similarly attractive conditions will follow is uncertain. Therefore, it is advisable to take advantage of the current opportunity.
