Bus Electric Projects: Achieve an E-Fleet with 80% Funding by 2025
Over 3,500 e-buses have already secured an 80% subsidy – when will you electrify your fleet? In the face of rising diesel prices and the approaching funding deadline on 31 August 2025, pragmatic action is crucial for bus operators.
The topic briefly and concisely
The current funding round for e-buses offers an 80% subsidy for acquisition or conversion and 40% for charging infrastructure, but the application deadline is on 31st August 2025.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of electric buses is often lower than that of diesel buses due to reduced energy and maintenance costs, a benefit enhanced by incentives.
The Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion is a sustainable and fully subsidizable alternative to purchasing new vehicles, preserving existing vehicle value and supporting the principles of the circular economy.
The electrification of bus fleets is no longer a distant prospect but a strategic necessity. High operating costs, strict environmental regulations set by the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, and bureaucratic hurdles are putting transport companies under pressure. 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 purchasing or Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) are subsidised. This guide shows you how to pragmatically implement your bus electric projects, meet the funding deadline of 31 August 2025, and set the course for a financially and environmentally sustainable future.
The Strategic Imperative: Why E-Bus Projects Need to Act Now
The pressure to decarbonise public transport is steadily increasing. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) already mandates binding quotas for the procurement of zero-emission vehicles, which will be tightened again from 2026. At the same time, the BMDV has launched a new funding round with an application deadline of 31 August 2025, offering significant financial relief. Over 3,500 buses have already been funded through similar programmes, reducing CO₂ emissions by around 2.8 million tonnes over their lifespan.
For fleet operators, this means a double urgency. Here are the key facts that require immediate action:
80% Grant: The current funding guideline provides an 80% grant for additional investment costs for new eBuses or a DTE retrofit compared to a diesel counterpart.
Deadline 31 August 2025: Project outlines must be submitted by this deadline to be considered in the competitive process.
40% for Infrastructure: The necessary charging infrastructure is also funded with up to 40% of the investment costs, which further reduces total costs.
Legal Framework: The CVD forces public contractors to set the course for zero-emission fleets, making sustainable bus solutions mandatory.
This combination of high grants and a looming deadline creates a critical time window. Those who do not act now risk not only losing substantial funding but also falling behind on legal requirements.
Your 4-point action plan for timely promotion
The pathway to promoting and implementing your bus electric projects can seem complex, but can be mastered with a pragmatic approach. To ensure compliance with the deadline on 31st August 2025, a structured approach is crucial. We have divided the process into four clear steps that will lead you directly to your goal.
Follow this checklist for a successful application submission:
Needs Analysis & Fleet Check (Week 1-2): Analyse your current route profiles and vehicle inventories. Identify vehicles suitable for a Diesel-to-Electric conversion to retain existing value. Define the real energy requirements and the necessary range for your specific use cases.
Profitability Assessment (Week 3-4): Conduct a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis. Consider the 80% funding, lower energy and maintenance costs, as well as CO₂ savings. This provides a solid decision-making basis for the management.
Technology & Infrastructure Concept (Week 5-6): Choose the appropriate vehicle technology – new acquisition or DTE conversion. Plan the charging infrastructure in parallel, for which you can receive 40% funding. Intelligent charging and energy management is the key to efficiency here.
Application Creation & Submission (Week 7-8): Create the project outline according to the guidelines of the funding directive. Submit all documents on time via the online portal easy-Online. Professional support in application preparation can maximize the chances of success.
This structured plan ensures that all relevant aspects, from technology to financing, are considered to set the course for approval.
Unlock financial benefits through TCO analysis and securing funding
The higher acquisition costs of electric buses initially deter many operators. However, a sole focus on the purchase price is too short-sighted. What matters is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), which includes all operating costs over the entire lifespan of a vehicle. Studies show that the TCO of an e-bus can already be up to 15% lower than that of a diesel bus, due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
The current funding massively amplifies this effect. The coverage of 80% of the additional investment costs significantly reduces the greatest hurdle – the purchase price. Lower maintenance costs of up to 40% further contribute to economic efficiency, as electric motors have fewer moving parts. The combination of funding and operational cost advantages makes electric bus projects not only ecologically but also economically superior. Therefore, a detailed TCO calculation is the basis for every investment decision and a central component of the funding application.
Maximising Sustainability: Circular Economy through Diesel-to-Electric Conversion
Instead of scrapping proven vehicles, the Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) offers a resource-saving alternative. This circular economy approach is not only sustainable but also economically smart, as the vehicle's value is preserved. Heero specialises in converting buses and minibuses and delivers impressive performance figures that rival new vehicles.
Our converted models offer practical solutions for demanding fleet operations:
Heero Medium-Low-Floor Bus: With a 137 kWh gross battery, it achieves up to 300 km range and can fast charge with up to 165 kW DC.
Heero Rear-Low-Floor Bus: Equipped with a 110 kWh battery, it also reaches up to 300 km range and charges with up to 135 kW.
Heero Tourer (Minibus 9 Pax): This model achieves even up to 400 km with its 110 kWh battery, making it ideal for longer distances or shuttle services.
The DTE conversion is an eligible measure that is subsidised with 80%. It not only conserves budgets and resources but also enables a rapid modernisation of the fleet. Learn more about our innovative conversion solutions and how they can extend the lifespan of your vehicles.
Plan the charging infrastructure as the backbone of your e-bus fleet
A powerful charging infrastructure is the foundation for the reliable operation of any eDrive bus fleet. Planning must consider the energy requirements, vehicle downtime, and available grid capacity. Thanks to a subsidy covering 40% of the investment costs, the establishment of the infrastructure is significantly facilitated. Modern DC fast-charging systems are crucial to maximise vehicle readiness.
The Heero vehicles are designed for high charging capacities to minimise downtimes. The low-floor bus can charge with up to 165 kW, meaning the battery is recharged to 80% in about 30 minutes. The other models support DC charging with up to 135 kW. Intelligent charging and energy management ensures that peak loads are avoided and energy costs are optimised. Therefore, the correct planning of the charging infrastructure is a critical success factor for every Electric Bus project.
Your Advantage with Heero: Conclusion and Next Steps
The electrification of your bus fleet is an economically and ecologically beneficial investment with the right strategy and an experienced partner like Heero. The current funding round with an 80% subsidy and the deadline on 31 August 2025 create the ideal conditions for a swift implementation. Whether through a sustainable Diesel-to-Electric conversion or the acquisition of highly efficient new buses – we offer you pragmatic and solution-oriented support for your bus electric projects.
Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions, receive your subsidy roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding.
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More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs offers a final report of an accompanying study on e-buses in public transport.
PwC provides information and analyses on the topic of electromobility in public transport through the E-Bus Radar.
Statista provides statistics on new registrations of electric buses in public transport in Germany.
The BMV (Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure) informs in an article about the promotion of more electric buses in public transport.
The Federal Funding Database offers information on the promotion of alternative drives for buses in passenger transport through the BMVI.
The VDV (Association of German Transport Companies) provides information on its e-bus project.
The KfW informs about the promotion of electromobility.
Agora Verkehrswende offers a thematic page on electromobility and sector coupling.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on battery buses.
FAQ
What is the range of the retrofitted Heero E-Buses?
The range varies depending on the model. Our mid and rear low-floor buses achieve up to 300 km. The Heero Tourer, a minibus for nine people, can even reach up to 400 km on a single battery charge.
What charging power do Heero vehicles support?
Our vehicles are designed for fast DC charging. The mid low-floor bus supports up to 165 kW, while the other models can charge with up to 135 kW. This enables short downtimes and high vehicle availability.
What is the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD)?
The Clean Vehicles Directive is an EU directive requiring public procurement bodies to meet mandatory minimum quotas for clean and zero-emission models when purchasing vehicles. It is a crucial driver for the electrification of bus fleets in Germany and Europe.
Who can apply for funding for E-Buses?
Transport companies and other players in the bus sector in Germany who want to convert their fleets to environmentally friendly drives are eligible to apply. This includes both public and private operators.
Why is the Diesel-to-Electric conversion sustainable?
The conversion follows the principle of a circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle, it is modernised and continued to be used. This saves the enormous amounts of energy and raw materials that would be needed to manufacture a completely new vehicle.
Does Heero offer support in grant analysis?
Yes, Heero offers a free and non-binding grant analysis. We help you create your subsidy roadmap and initiate the necessary steps to apply for the 80% funding in time.
