A guide to the new federal funding round for e-buses and conversions - the application deadline is August 31, 2025.
Electrifying your bus fleet is a strategic necessity driven by rising operating costs and strict emissions requirements. The federal government has launched a new funding round for 2025, which not only massively supports the purchase of new vehicles, but also the conversion of existing fleets. Take advantage of this opportunity to set the course for an economical and sustainable fleet of vehicles.
For bus fleet operators in the public sector and in the private sector, the pressure to decarbonize is higher than ever. Statutory requirements and the goal of climate neutrality require a switch to emission-free drives. At the same time, the high initial investments represent a significant hurdle. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has created a solution for exactly this:
The transformation is being actively supported with a new call for funding under the guideline “Promoting alternative drive systems for buses in passenger transport”. This guide shows you how to electrify your bus fleet, make optimal use of funding in 2025 and why upgrading your proven vehicles is a particularly clever strategy.
Project outlines for the funding of e-buses and retrofits can be submitted to the federal government until August 31, 2025.
Funding is provided for new vehicles (up to 80% of the additional costs), the conversion of existing buses and the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure.
The process is competitive; criteria include CO₂ savings, application context and previous electrification rate.
The federal government has set the course for climate-neutral public transport and initiated a new funding call for 2025. Transport companies and other players in the bus industry can submit project outlines for the electrification of their fleets by August 31, 2025. Since the start of the Directive in 2021, around 3,500 buses have already been approved, of which over 1,000 actively contribute to CO₂ reduction. The program aims to cushion the additional costs of electric drives compared to diesel buses and thus accelerate market penetration.
The projects will be approved following the adoption of the Federal Budget Act in autumn 2025. Implementation is coordinated by experienced partners NOW GmbH and project promoter Jülich (PtJ). This initiative is a clear signal that the federal government regards the switch to clean drives as a central pillar of the transport revolution.
The funding call is broad-based and supports various paths to emission-free mobility. The funding rate for new vehicles covers 80 percent of the additional investment costs compared to a conventional diesel bus. This significantly reduces the financial burden on municipalities and companies. The following measures are eligible for funding:
Purchase of new battery-powered electric buses, including trolleybuses.
Purchase of fuel cell buses, including with range extender technology.
The conversion of conventional diesel buses to battery or fuel cell drives.
Development of the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure (e.g. depots, charging stations).
Construction and adjustment of the associated maintenance infrastructure.
In particular, promoting retrofitting is a decisive advantage for fleet operators who want to maintain their existing and often expensive special vehicles. This opens up a path that makes sense both economically and in terms of the circular economy.
The process for applying for funding is clearly structured and competitive. The decisive deadline for the submission of project outlines is August 31, 2025. All applications must be submitted via the “Easy-online” online portal. The submitted sketches are then evaluated by the project promoters. Companies that currently have few or no e-buses in their fleet are given priority when awarding them. The central evaluation criteria are:
1. The project's potential to avoid CO₂.
2. The planned deployment context (e.g. regular urban transport).
3. The target electrification rate of the entire fleet.
4. The specific funding requirement or economic efficiency.
Early and careful preparation of application documents is critical to success. Die Checklist for the funding application helps to keep an eye on all requirements and to maximize opportunities in the competitive process.
The electrification of a bus fleet is not only an ecological benefit, but also an economic one. Funding 80% of the additional costs for new e-buses drastically reduces purchase costs. But the real advantage lies in looking at total cost of ownership (TCO). Lower energy, maintenance and repair costs lead to significant savings over the lifetime of an e-bus. Die
HEERO D2E-conversion reinforces this effect, as there is no need to invest in a completely new vehicle. In this way, you protect the capital that is invested in your proven special structures. The combination of an attractive Funding rate of up to 80 percent and lower TCO makes the transition predictable and profitable. Since 2021, grants of over 187 million euros have already been approved to individual transport companies. This shows the huge financial volume that is available.
An efficient e-vehicle fleet requires an equally powerful charging infrastructure. The federal funding program explicitly takes this decisive factor into account. The subsidy includes the planning and construction of the entire charging, refueling and maintenance infrastructure necessary for operation. This ranges from installing DC fast charging stations at the depot to adapting workshops to maintain high-voltage systems. Sophisticated charging management is the key to smooth and efficient operation with over 40 vehicles.
The funding secures the initial investment in infrastructure and makes the overall project economically viable. HEERO not only supports you with vehicle electrification, but also advises you on the design of a tailor-made Charging infrastructure solution. This is how you ensure that your electrified fleet is able to perform at full capacity from day one.
Electrifying the current bus fleet Funding 2025 offers a unique opportunity for transport companies, logistics companies and municipalities. It makes it possible to switch to a clean, quiet and cost-effective fleet with massive government support. HEERO is your ideal partner to fully exploit this potential. With our patented D2E-conversion for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, we offer a pragmatic solution that focuses on a circular economy and protects your investments.
We combine the reliability of your existing vehicles with the performance of the latest electric drives. Let us set the course for your emission-free future together. Request yours now personal advice on or book one Everyday test for freeto experience HEERO technology live. We support you from analysis and funding applications to the commissioning of your electrified fleet.
Detailed information about the project is required to submit the project outline via the EASY-online portal. This includes a project description, a calculation of costs and funding requirements, and an estimate of the CO₂ savings potential. We recommend our comprehensive checklist to use.
Yes, the charging, refueling and maintenance infrastructure required to operate the vehicles is explicitly eligible for funding. This is a central part of the funding call to enable a holistic transition.
With our D2E-conversion, the diesel powertrain of your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter will be replaced by our ultra-modern electric drive. You keep your vehicle and the often expensive special body. This is usually faster, cheaper and more sustainable than buying a completely new e-van.
Our team will provide you with comprehensive advice on the technological options and economic benefits of electrification. We provide you with the necessary technical data for your funding application and help you to convincingly present the ecological and economic benefits of your project. Request a free consultation now.
Yes, the funding guideline explicitly includes the procurement and conversion of fuel cell buses (including those with range extenders). Technological openness is a feature of the program.
Yes, you can make an application. However, according to the Ministry, applications from transport companies that have so far only a few or no e-buses in their fleet will receive preferential treatment when awarding them in order to promote broad market penetration.
The official Federal Government website provides comprehensive information on political initiatives and funding programs, including the transport revolution and electric mobility.
Die NOW GmbH is a federally owned company that coordinates the development and implementation of funding programs for sustainable mobility and energy, such as federal funding for e-buses.
The Contract partner Jülich (PtJ) is an institution of Forschungszentrum Jülich and supports federal ministries in implementing research and innovation funding programs, including the evaluation of applications for e-bus funding.
