Transport companies and municipalities are thus securing up to 80% funding for the electrification of their bus fleets and the development of the charging infrastructure.
The federal government has launched a new funding call for e-buses, but time is short. With a deadline of August 31, 2025, applications must be precise and complete in order to benefit from the high subsidies. Our practical checklist guides you safely through the process and maximizes your chances of success.
Increasing operating costs and strict emissions requirements are forcing fleet operators to take action. The electrification of public and commercial passenger transport is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. The federal government has set the course and is supporting this change with an attractive funding program that covers up to 80% of the additional investment costs for e-buses and charging infrastructure. This guide provides you with a detailed e-bus funding application checklist for 2025 to unlock the full potential of these subsidies for your company. HEERO is at your side as an experienced partner, from application to commissioning of your new, highly efficient e-fleet.
Project outlines for e-bus funding must be submitted by August 31, 2025 in order to receive up to 80% of the additional costs for vehicles and charging infrastructure. Funding is provided for new purchases of battery and fuel cell buses, the conversion of diesel vehicles and the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure. Applications are evaluated in a competitive process, with CO₂ savings, economic efficiency and the current level of electrification of the vehicle fleet being decisive criteria.
The current funding round is a clear signal from the Federal Government to accelerate the transport turnaround. The “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Bus Drive Systems in Passenger Transport”, which is valid until the end of 2025, continues a tried and tested instrument. The deadline for submitting project outlines is August 31, 2025, which requires quick and strategic action.
Transport companies that are now taking the initiative are optimally positioning themselves in the competitive procurement process. In particular, companies with few or no e-buses in their fleet to date receive the contract preferentially. The promotion of 80% of the additional costs compared to a diesel counterpart significantly lowers the investment hurdle. This also enables smaller municipalities and private bus companies to enter electric mobility. The course for successful fleet electrification will be set in the next few weeks.
A successful application is based on completeness and precision. The Federal Ministry evaluates applications according to criteria such as CO₂ avoidance and electrification quota. Use the following checklist to optimally prepare your project outline:
Clearly define the goals, the scope of procurement (number and type of buses) and the planned deployment context (e.g. urban, regional or factory traffic).
Show the additional investment costs of an e-bus compared to a reference diesel vehicle. This is the basis for calculating the funding rate of 80%.
Calculate the expected reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over the entire lifetime of the vehicles. Since 2021, 830,000 tons of CO2 have already been avoided.
Plan the charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure you need. The costs for this are also eligible for funding.
Outline a realistic timetable from the call for tenders (within 6 months of notification) to the binding order (within 12 months). Proof of eligibility to apply: Include all required documents that identify you as an eligible transport company or user.
This careful preparation is crucial, as the funding is awarded in a competitive process.
An efficient fleet requires an equally powerful infrastructure. The funding program explicitly takes this crucial aspect into account. The subsidies include not only the purchase of battery or fuel cell buses, but also the associated charging and refueling infrastructure. This includes depot charging solutions, fast charging stations at terminal stops and the necessary network connection. The integrated planning of vehicles and infrastructure is a central criterion for a positive funding decision.
HEERO supports you in developing a holistic electrification concept that is precisely tailored to your operational processes. This ensures that your new e-bus fleet operates with maximum efficiency and reliability from day one. The right infrastructure planning ensures the long-term profitability of your investment.
The process from idea to funding notification is clearly structured. The first and most important step is to submit your project outline on time by August 31, 2025, exclusively via the 'easy-online' online portal. After submission, the sketches go through a competitive evaluation process. The projects are evaluated and prioritized on the basis of their climate impact, degree of innovation and profitability. Applications that demonstrate a high CO₂ reduction with the lowest possible extraction requirement per ton of CO₂ saved have the best chance. A positive decision is the starting signal for concrete implementation. The vehicles must be tendered within six months, and the binding order must be submitted after twelve months at the latest. Professional preparation and monitoring of the process is therefore essential in order to meet these tight deadlines.
The complexity of the funding application and subsequent implementation can be a challenge for many companies. HEERO offers you more than just ultra-modern e-vehicles based on a proven Sprinter. We see ourselves as your strategic partner for the electrification of your entire fleet. Our team of experts supports you every step of the way: from the preparation of a meaningful project outline to the detailed
Profitability calculation through to planning the optimal charging infrastructure. We help you meet the requirements of the BMDV Directive and position your application for maximum success. Our patented D2E (diesel-to-electric) conversion is also an eligible option that preserves existing special structures, such as bus cabins, and implements the principles of the circular economy. In this way, you protect investments you have made and accelerate the path to zero emissions. Working with us makes the process much easier.
E-bus funding 2025 offers a unique opportunity to set the course for sustainable, clean and quiet passenger transport. With subsidies of up to 80% of the additional investment costs, the switch to electric drives is highly attractive not only ecologically but also economically. Structured preparation using our e-bus funding application checklist for 2025 is the key to success. As an innovative and pragmatic solution partner, HEERO accompanies you through the entire process. We not only provide you with funding, but also provide you with the appropriate, field-proven vehicle technology.
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After a positive funding letter, you must start advertising the fines within 6 months and make the binding order within 12 months.
Yes, the conversion of conventional buses to battery or fuel cell drives is explicitly eligible for funding. This is one of HEERO's core competencies and saves valuable resources and investments.
HEERO offers comprehensive advice that starts with the preparation of the project outline and includes the profitability calculation and planning of the charging infrastructure in order to tailor your application for maximum chances of success.
CO₂ prevention is a central criterion in competitive procurement procedures. Applications are assessed, among other things, on how efficiently funding is being used to reduce CO₂.
Yes, the funding guideline provides that public transport companies with no or only a few electric buses in their fleet are preferred when awarding them in order to achieve a broad market run-up
support.
Project outlines must be submitted via the “Easy-online” electronic application and offer system.
The Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in passenger transport and the transport turnaround in Germany.
The Contract partner Jülich (PtJ) coordinates the implementation of funding programs on behalf of the BMDV and supports applicants in project implementation.
Die NOW GmbH is the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology and is also involved in coordinating funding programs for alternative drives.
Die European Commission provides information on EU facility NextGenerationEU ready to co-finance funds for the German Development and Resilience Plan (DARP) and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF).
