Bus Configurator: Plan your e-bus fleet and classify the funding situation after the 2026 call for proposals
Bus Configurator: Plan your e-bus fleet and classify the funding situation after the 2026 call for proposals
Over 3,500 e-buses have already been subsidized – when will you electrify your fleet? The federal government's decisive funding call ended on July 21, 2026. Find your suitable solution with the HEERO Bus Configurator.
The topic briefly and concisely
The funding call for e-buses and DTE conversions with up to 70% additional costs ended on July 21, 2026.
The EU Clean Vehicles Directive requires a quota of 45% for clean buses in public contracts by 2025, half of which must be emission-free.
A diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) and conserves resources in terms of the circular economy.
Rising diesel prices, strict climate requirements, and complex bureaucracy complicate the operation of bus fleets. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive demanded a quota of 45% clean vehicles in public tenders by 2025, half of which had to have zero emissions. The most recent call for funding for e-buses and charging infrastructure ended on July 21, 2026. Our Bus Configurator is your first step to mastering these challenges pragmatically. It enables you to conduct a clear needs analysis and lays the foundation for a resilient funding application and fleet modernization.
After July 21, 2026: Which funding applied to your e-bus fleet
The time to transition your fleet is now. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) supported the transformation with the guideline "Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI). Up to 80 percent of the additional investment expenses for purchasing an electric bus or a conversion were funded. This conversion transforms your existing diesel vehicles into powerful electric vehicles. Additionally, the necessary charging infrastructure was eligible for funding. The federal KsNI funding ran until 2024; since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned. We clarify in each individual case which programs are currently open. With our experience from the application for electric bus funding 2025, we will guide you through the process. The high demand underlines the urgency for many companies and municipalities. This funding framework was a decisive lever for the rapid decarbonization of your fleet.
Your 4-step plan for electrification
The path to a subsidized electric bus is straightforward with the right strategy. We have divided the process for you into four clear steps:
Analyze requirements and configure: Use the HEERO Bus Configurator to determine the exact vehicle profile for your routes. Define ranges, passenger capacities, and charging requirements in just a few minutes.
Request subsidy analysis: Based on your configuration, we will create a free and non-binding subsidy analysis. This roadmap outlines your subsidy potential and the next steps for submitting an application.
Finalize vehicle solution: Choose between an efficient DTE conversion or a new vehicle. Our experts will assist you in selecting the optimal solution for your fleet.
Plan charging infrastructure: In parallel with vehicle procurement, we plan the appropriate charging infrastructure. In doing so, we take depot and opportunity charging with up to 165 kW charging capacity into account.
This structured approach ensures that you evaluate the subsidy situation reliably. It transforms a complex task into a manageable process.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting is More Economically Favorable than Purchasing New
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the decisive factor for the economic efficiency of your fleet. A TCO analysis takes into account all costs over the entire service life of a vehicle. While e-buses can be more expensive to purchase, their operating costs are significantly lower. Retrofitting offers a double advantage here. It preserves the value of your existing and often expensive special bodies. The investment is lower than buying new, while you benefit from all the advantages of the electric drive. Here you can see the key cost factors in comparison:
Acquisition costs: Retrofitting is up to 40 percent cheaper than a comparable new e-bus.
Energy costs: Electricity costs per kilometer are up to 70 percent lower than diesel costs.
Maintenance costs: Electric drives have fewer wear parts, which reduces maintenance costs by over 50 percent.
Funding: The "Busaufruf 2026" subsidized up to 70 percent of the additional costs and significantly reduced the initial investment.
CO₂ pricing: You avoid rising costs due to emissions trading.
Our detailed TCO calculation for e-buses shows how quickly your investment amortizes. Retrofitting is therefore not only an ecological, but above all an economic decision.
Up to 400 km range: Find the right model in the bus configurator
Every route places different demands on a bus. Our Bus Configurator helps you find the perfect vehicle for your application. All HEERO models are based on the proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and offer field-tested performance. The HEERO Tourer is a popular choice as a powerful electric minibus. You can choose from various e-bus models. Here is an overview of our core models:
HEERO low-entry bus: With a battery capacity of 137 kWh (gross), it achieves a real-world range of up to 300 kilometers. Thanks to a charging capacity of up to 165 kW, it is recharged to 80 percent in around 30 minutes.
HEERO low-floor bus (rear low-entry): This model also offers up to 300 kilometers of range with a 110 kWh battery (gross) and charges with up to 135 kW.
HEERO Tourer (Minibus 9 Pax): Ideal for flexible passenger transport, this versatile passenger transporter achieves up to 400 kilometers of range and also charges with up to 135 kW.
Each of these models can be tailored precisely to your needs. Choosing the right battery size and charging capacity is crucial for efficiency in daily operations. This flexibility ensures you a future-proof and demand-oriented fleet solution.
Clean Vehicles Directive and Circular Economy: Act Future-Proof
The statutory framework conditions are becoming stricter. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) obliges public contracting authorities to comply with fixed quotas for low-emission and zero-emission buses. For Germany, this means a quota of 45 percent for "clean" buses by the end of 2025. At least half of this, i.e. 22.5 percent, must be completely emission-free. Our e-buses fully meet these requirements. The decision in favor of a DTE conversion is also a clear commitment to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle, you extend its life cycle by many years. This saves up to 25 tons of CO₂ per vehicle compared to new production. You reduce waste, conserve valuable resources, and act in the spirit of a sustainable economy. This approach not only strengthens your environmental balance sheet, but also your image as a responsible company.
Start your funding analysis: Your path to classifying the subsidy
Answer three questions in our system to receive your personal subsidy roadmap. It contains the classification of the funding situation: The 2026 bus call ended on July 21, 2026.
To the free analysis
free of charge · non-binding · objective
Note: The content presented here is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal or funding advice.
More useful links
Bundeswirtschaftsministerium offers a final report of an accompanying study on electric buses in public transport.
Erneuerbar Mobil provides information on the funding program for the acquisition of electric buses in public transport.
Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) informs in an article about the milestone of 1,000 funded electric buses.
Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (VDV) provides information on its e-bus project.
PwC offers analyses and insights on the topic of electric mobility in public transport with the E-Bus-Radar.
KfW provides information on funding for electric mobility for companies.
Umweltbundesamt offers an analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
Öko-Institut provides a comprehensive report on the economic efficiency of electric mobility.
Bundesanzeiger contains publications of relevant legal or regulatory information.
