Bus Electric Workshop: Secure 80% funding for your fleet by 31 August 2025
Already over 3,500 eBuses benefit from an 80% subsidy – when will you electrify your fleet? Time is of the essence, as the current federal funding deadline ends on 31st August 2025. Secure the resources now for your future-proof bus electric workshop.
The topic briefly and concisely
The current funding round from the BMDV offers up to 80% subsidy for eBuses and D2E conversions, but applications must be submitted by 31 August 2025.
Converting in a bus electro-workshop (Diesel-to-Electric) conserves resources, preserves existing vehicle value, and is often more economical than a new purchase.
Thanks to lower energy and maintenance costs, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of e-buses is often less than that of diesel buses, which compensates for the higher initial investment.
Rising diesel prices, strict emission requirements by the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, and the pressure to decarbonise pose enormous challenges for bus fleet operators. Many hesitate due to the high initial investments in new electric buses. However, there is a pragmatic and economically superior solution: retrofitting existing vehicles in a specialised bus electric workshop. With the current funding guidelines from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), you can receive up to 80% of the costs for retrofitting or purchasing an electric bus, as well as 40% for the charging infrastructure. Act now, as the application deadline is 31 August 2025.
Your Fleet Electrified: Why 2025 is the Decisive Year
The shift to electromobility is no longer an option, but an economic and regulatory necessity. The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) already mandates fixed quotas for zero-emission vehicles for public sector clients, which will become more stringent from 2026 onwards. At the same time, the current funding window from the BMDV offers a unique opportunity to reduce investment costs by 80%.
These facts clearly highlight the pressure to act and the opportunity:
80% Grant: The current funding guidelines subsidise the additional costs for purchasing an E-bus or a Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) by up to 80%.
Deadline 31 August 2025: Project sketches for this high level of funding must be submitted by this date.
40% for Charging Infrastructure: The development of the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure is also funded with 40% of the total costs.
Meet CVD Quotas: By the end of 2025, 45% of all newly procured buses must be 'clean', with half of them being completely emission-free.
Many operators underestimate that a DTE conversion of existing specialised vehicles often costs only 50-60% of a new vehicle's price. With funding, the conversion becomes a strategic investment in the circular economy and secures the value of your fleet. The conversion is the quickest way to meet the requirements and reduce operating costs. Learn more about our conversion solutions.
The 4-Point Plan for Electrifying Your Bus Fleet
The transition to e-buses may seem complex, but it can be successfully implemented with a pragmatic approach. A professional bus electro-workshop will accompany you at every step. The process from analysis to subsidy application is clearly structured and ensures you receive the maximum grants before the deadline.
Follow this proven checklist for timely implementation:
Needs Analysis and Fleet Check: First, we analyse your current routes, circulation plans, and vehicle types. During this, we check which vehicles are ideal for a Diesel-to-Electric conversion and where new vehicles like our Heero Tourer with a range of up to 400 km are more sensible.
Economic Forecast (TCO): We create a transparent Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculation. This compares the lifecycle costs of your diesel buses with the converted e-buses, including all subsidies, energy, and maintenance costs.
Charging Infrastructure Concept: Based on the vehicle data, we plan the required charging infrastructure. We determine whether depot charging overnight is sufficient or if fast chargers with up to 165 kW DC charging power, as used in our medium-low-floor bus, are necessary.
Subsidy Application Submission: Finally, we assist you in submitting the project outline by the deadline of 31 August 2025. Our experts ensure that all documents meet the requirements of the funding guidelines.
This structured approach turns the bureaucratic hurdle into a manageable business advantage. The next step is the detailed analysis of the available subsidies.
Make optimal use of funding opportunities: Up to 80% for vehicles and conversions
The "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Passenger Transport" by the BMDV is the central instrument for fleet modernization. It aims to accelerate market uptake and drastically reduce CO₂ emissions in public transport. The funding of 80% explicitly refers to the additional investment costs compared to a reference diesel bus.
This means specifically: If a new e-bus costs €200,000 more than a diesel counterpart, €160,000 of this difference is covered by the government. The same principle applies to the DTE conversion, which makes it particularly attractive. The funding is technology-open and supports both battery electric and fuel cell-based drives. A key aspect is the holistic view, which includes infrastructure. Thus, the construction of charging stations, workshop equipment, and grid connections is subsidized with 40% of the investment costs. Find out about suitable bus electric solutions. This combination of vehicle and infrastructure funding significantly lowers the entry barrier and accelerates amortization.
Recalculate: Total Cost of Ownership instead of Purchase Price
The higher initial cost of an E-bus or the conversion expenses are just one side of the coin. Crucial for profitability is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), i.e., the total operating costs over the entire lifespan. Studies show that the TCO for E-buses is often already lower than that for diesel vehicles. This is due to significant savings in two key areas.
The operating costs of an E-bus are considerably lower:
Energy costs: Electricity is significantly cheaper per kilometre than diesel. With planned routes and overnight charging at the depot, 'refuelling costs' can be reduced by 50-70%.
Maintenance and repair: An electric motor has far fewer moving parts than a combustion engine. Oil changes, exhaust system maintenance, and clutch wear are completely eliminated. This reduces maintenance costs by up to 40%.
Taxes and levies: E-vehicles benefit from tax relief and avoid rising CO₂ levies.
Longer lifespan: The DTE conversion extends the life cycle of a proven vehicle chassis, enhancing sustainability and promoting the circular economy.
A TCO analysis often shows that the additional investment pays off after just four to seven years. Insights into the calculation can be found in our article on Total Cost of Ownership. This calculation is the foundation for a future-proof fleet strategy.
Conversion or New Purchase: The Perfect E-Bus Solution for Your Routes
Every fleet has individual requirements. Heero therefore offers both the conversion of proven diesel vehicles and high-performance new e-bus vehicles. The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (D2E) is ideal for preserving expensive special-purpose bodies and conserving resources. For example, a converted Heero D2E Sprinter can achieve a range of up to 425 km.
Our range of vehicles is precisely tailored to the needs of local and long-distance transportation:
Heero Low-floor Midibus: With its large battery (137 kWh gross / 115 kWh net) and a DC charging capacity of up to 165 kW, it is ready for use again in under 40 minutes. Its range is up to 300 km.
Heero Rear Low-floor Bus: It uses a 110 kWh battery (96 kWh net) and charges with up to 135 kW. The range of up to 300 km is ideal for urban transport.
Heero Tourer (Minibus 9 Pax): This model offers the longest range of up to 400 km, making it perfect for shuttle services or longer overland journeys.
All models (except the Low-floor Midibus) use a standardized 110/96 kWh battery, which simplifies service and spare parts management. This technological clarity makes it possible to find the optimal and most economical solution for each route. The right choice of vehicle is closely linked to the planning of the charging infrastructure.
Your Funding Analysis: The Final Step Towards 80% Funding
The time until the funding deadline on 31st August 2025 is short. A specialised bus-electronics workshop like Heero not only offers the technology but also the expertise to guide you safely through the funding process. We understand the requirements of fleet operators and the criteria of the funding providers. Use the remaining time to future-proof your fleet and benefit from massive cost advantages.
Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions, receive your grant roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding.
Button: “Go to free analysis”
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All content provides general guidance and does not replace legal or financial advice.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides detailed information on current funding programmes for buses in passenger transport.
Another article from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) highlights the importance and promotion of electric buses in public transport.
The Federal Gazette contains official publications, potentially including relevant funding guidelines and tenders.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) provides a final report on the accompanying study of E-buses in public transport, offering important insights.
The National Charging Infrastructure Agency provides comprehensive information on charging infrastructure specifically for commercial vehicles and its expansion.
The KfW offers various funding programmes for companies in the field of electric mobility.
The Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) provides current information and positions on e-mobility and other future topics in public transport.
The Platform for Future Mobility presents insights into its Working Group 4, which deals with relevant aspects of future mobility.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the E-Bus subsidy?
Eligible applicants are transportation companies and other stakeholders in the bus sector in Germany who wish to convert their fleets to environmentally friendly drives. This includes both public and private operators.
What range do the retrofitted buses and vehicles from Heero have?
The ranges vary depending on the model. The Heero medium-floor and low-floor buses can reach up to 300 km. The tourer minibus can reach up to 400 km and a retrofitted DTE-Sprinter even up to 425 km.
How long does a Diesel-to-Electric conversion take?
A professional DTE conversion in our bus electric workshop is a standardized process. The exact duration depends on the vehicle model, but it is significantly quicker than the delivery time for a new vehicle.
What happens if I miss the deadline on 31 August 2025?
Whether there will be another funding round with similarly high subsidies of 80% after this deadline is uncertain. Therefore, it is urgently recommended to take this opportunity to get your fleet transition maximally funded.
Does the funding cover only the vehicles?
No, the funding is comprehensive. It covers up to 80% of the additional costs for vehicles (purchase or conversion) and up to 40% of the costs for the necessary charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure.
What is the advantage of a conversion compared to a new purchase?
The conversion is sustainable as it continues to use an existing vehicle (circular economy). It is often more cost-effective and quicker to access than a new vehicle. Particularly for expensive special modifications, the conversion secures your original investment.
