Maximize CO2 reduction: Secure the E-Bus funding for 2025 for your fleet.
The government has launched a new funding round for electric buses until the end of 2025. With up to 80% grant on additional investment costs, now is the crucial moment to advance the CO2 savings of your fleet and set the course for the future. This guide shows you the direct path to a successful funding application.
The topic briefly and concisely
The new federal funding for e-buses runs until the end of 2025 and subsidizes up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a diesel bus.
The CO2 savings is the central evaluation metric for the funding application; a detailed forecast is crucial for success.
In addition to new vehicles, the conversion of existing buses as well as the necessary charging infrastructure (up to 40%) are explicitly eligible for funding.
Rising CO2 prices and the requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive put fleet operators under pressure to act. Electrifying the fleet is no longer an option but a strategic necessity. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has recognized this need and launched a new, attractive funding round for the procurement and conversion of buses with alternative drives for 2025. This offers transport companies, municipalities, and logistics companies the opportunity to significantly accelerate CO2 savings while simultaneously reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). Heero stands by your side as an experienced partner to fully exploit these potentials and pragmatically and solution-oriented facilitate the transition.
Strategic Overview: The New Federal Funding for E-Buses 2025
The Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) has launched a new funding call for buses with alternative drives, which runs until the end of 2025. Transport companies can submit project outlines for planned new purchases or conversions until August 31, 2025. Funding is available for battery buses, fuel cell buses, and the associated charging and maintenance infrastructure. Since 2021, around 3,500 buses have already been funded with a volume of 1.2 billion euros. Particularly attractive is the funding rate of up to 80 percent on the additional investment costs compared to a diesel bus. This initiative is a central building block in achieving the goals of the BMDV guidelines for buses. The awarding takes place in a competitive process, where CO2 reduction is a crucial criterion. This underscores the necessity of a thoughtful and well-reasoned application strategy.
CO2 savings as a key metric for your funding success
The reduction of greenhouse gases is the stated goal of the federal government and the central metric for your funding application. A single electric bus can save a significant amount of CO2 compared to its diesel counterpart; the 1,000 already funded e-buses avoid around 830,000 tons of CO2 over their lifetime. Per kilometer, the savings amount to about 550 grams, which quickly adds up in dense city traffic. The precise calculation and presentation of the expected CO2 savings is the lever for a successful application. To fully exploit the potential, you should consider the following aspects:
Use of 100% green electricity to maximize CO2 reduction.
Analysis of the specific line profiles for accurate consumption forecasting.
Consideration of efficiency gains through modern heat pump systems that save up to 75% energy.
Documentation of the expected annual mileage per vehicle.
A detailed checklist for the funding application helps to collect all relevant data. Thus, the conversion is not only an ecological gain but also a strong argument for the approval of funding.
Investment additional costs: Up to 80% of the difference can be financed
The acquisition costs for an e-bus are clearly above those of a diesel bus, which costs around 300,000 euros, at about 600,000 euros. The promotion starts exactly here: up to 80 percent of these investment extra costs, i.e., the difference of 300,000 euros, will be subsidized. For the necessary charging infrastructure, a funding rate of up to 40 percent can be requested. A clever alternative is the D2E retrofitting of existing vehicles, which is explicitly eligible for funding, provided it is cheaper than buying new. This not only preserves the budget but is also a prime example of the circular economy we practice. The high funding rate makes the transition economically viable for craft businesses and logistics companies. The exact calculation of these costs is a crucial part of the application process.
The Clean Vehicles Directive as a legal framework
The funding programs are not a voluntary subsidy but a response to the legal framework of the EU. The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented in Germany through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), mandates binding minimum quotas. By the end of 2025, public procurement authorities must achieve a quota of 45% "clean" vehicles in bus procurement. At least half of that, or 22.5% of new acquisitions, must be completely emission-free. From 2026, these quotas will even rise to 65% and 32.5%, respectively. These requirements increase the pressure on municipalities and public companies to modernize their fleets promptly. The electrification of the bus fleet is thus the direct way to ensure legal compliance. The current funding programs are the instrument to economically manage this transformation.
The path to the funding application: 5 steps to approval
The process from the idea to the approval of funding for CO2 savings through E-bus funding in 2025 requires a structured approach. We will guide you through every step:
Needs analysis and market exploration: We analyze your fleet and identify the appropriate vehicle and charging solutions.
Cost-effectiveness and CO2 forecast: We create a comprehensive TCO analysis and calculate the CO2 savings potential as a basis for the application.
Funding check: We check the compatibility of federal and state funding to maximize the funding rate. You can find an overview under Federal vs. State Funding.
Preparation of the project outline: We support you in preparing the application documents for the federal easy-online portal.
Submission and implementation: After submitting on time by August 31, 2025, the tender must take place within 6 months after approval.
An early start is crucial, as the funds are awarded in a competitive process and demand is high. Careful preparation secures you the best chances in the awarding process.
Infrastructure as a foundation: Utilize the charging infrastructure funding
An E-bus is only as reliable as its charging infrastructure. The BMV has recognized this and supports the establishment of the necessary infrastructure with up to 40% of the costs. This includes not only the charging stations themselves but also grid connections, buffer storage, and intelligent charging management systems. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), even higher funding rates are possible. The planning of the charging infrastructure should take place parallel to the vehicle procurement to avoid bottlenecks. A feasibility study, which is also eligible for funding, can provide clarity in advance. The integration into the charging infrastructure funding is a critical success factor for any electrification project. This way, the switch to an emissions-free fleet becomes a well-rounded and economically viable overall solution.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on funding programs in the areas of mobility and transport, including the current guidelines for alternative drives in public transport.
The official website of the European Union (EUR-Lex) offers the complete text of the Clean Vehicles Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/1161), which establishes binding minimum quotas for the procurement of clean vehicles.
The Federal Funding Portal (easy-Online) is the central platform for the digital submission of funding applications to the federal government, including project outlines for E-bus funding.
FAQ
Is the conversion of my old diesel bus to electric drive also eligible for funding?
Yes, the guidelines for promoting alternative drives for buses explicitly include conversions. The requirement is that the conversion is more economical than purchasing a new vehicle and that the vehicle still has a remaining lifespan of at least 8 years or 600,000 km.
What are "investment cost overruns"?
Investment cost overruns refer to the difference between the purchase price of an emission-free bus and that of a comparable bus with conventional diesel drive. Only this difference amount serves as the basis for calculating the 80 percent funding.
Do I have to apply for the charging infrastructure separately?
No, the necessary charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure for operating the buses can be applied for directly in the same application as the vehicles. The funding rate for this is up to 40%.
What happens if my funding application is approved?
After a positive decision, you must launch the tender for the vehicles within 6 months. The binding order for the buses must be placed within 12 months after approval.
Can I combine federal and state funding?
Combining funding is generally possible but must not exceed the maximum permissible aid intensities of the EU. A detailed examination on a case-by-case basis is necessary and is carried out by us as part of the consultation.
What role does the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) play for me?
If you are a public contracting authority or acting on their behalf, you are legally obligated to comply with minimum procurement quotas for clean and emission-free vehicles. The CVD states that by the end of 2025, 45% of new buses must be "clean," with half of them being emission-free.
