The new funding call from the federal government is active. Find out how to optimally prepare your application for e-bus funding 2025 and receive maximum subsidies with the conversion and new vehicles from HEERO.
The Federal Government has launched a new round of funding for e-buses and the conversion of commercial vehicles. With a subsidy of up to 80% on additional investment costs, now is the ideal time to future-proof your fleet. We will show you how to successfully submit the e-bus funding application for 2025.
Increasing operating costs and strict emissions requirements pose enormous challenges for fleet operators. Electrification is the logical consequence, but investment costs are high. The Federal Government has responded to this by launching a new funding call in July 2025 to “promote alternative drive systems for buses in passenger transport.” This program offers up to 80% subsidy for the purchase of e-buses and, specifically, for the conversion of existing diesel vehicles. For municipalities, logistics companies and craft businesses, this is an opportunity to make the transition economical and sustainable. HEERO is your partner to make the most of this opportunity.
A new funding call for e-buses and vehicle conversions is active; applications can be submitted until August 31, 2025.
The funding covers up to 80% of the additional investment costs for new vehicles and, specifically, the costs of retrofitting diesel vehicles.
The conversion of existing special vehicles (e.g. Sprinter base) is a particularly economical alternative to buying new ones.
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has initiated a new, eagerly awaited round of funding for electric buses. Transport companies and other bus users can submit project outlines for planned new purchases or conversions by August 31, 2025. The funding rate for new vehicles is up to 80 percent of additional investment costs compared to a reference diesel-powered vehicle. This significantly reduces the purchase costs for a new e-van.
The award is carried out in a competitive process in which criteria such as CO₂ avoidance and degree of electrification play a central role. In particular, companies that have only a few e-vehicles in their fleet to date are preferred to win the contract. This realignment creates an excellent starting point for entry into electric mobility. The current funding guidelines are the basis for your next step.
The current funding program goes far beyond simply subsidizing new vehicles. It takes a holistic approach that comprehensively supports the transformation of fleets. A central element is the explicit promotion of the conversion of conventional buses to alternative drives. This is particularly relevant when no suitable new vehicle is available on the market or the conversion represents a more economical alternative. This is crucial news for operators of sprinter-based special vehicles. Your expensive structures can be preserved and reused sustainably. The following measures are eligible for funding:
Acquisition of new battery and fuel cell buses.
The D2E conversion of existing diesel vehicles to a pure electric drive.
Construction of the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure for operation.
Preparation of feasibility studies to plan fleet electrification.
This broad funding base enables you to develop a tailor-made strategy for your fleet.
The path to funding is clearly structured and requires careful preparation. The process from idea to approved application for e-bus funding 2025 can be divided into four phases. Early planning is crucial, as the deadline for submitting project outlines is August 31, 2025. A successful application starts long before the form is completed. Here is an overview of the process:
1. Concept development: Define your needs Analyze whether a new purchase or an economic upgrade is the better solution for your specific requirements.
2nd Submission of project outline: Submit your detailed project outline by 31.08.2025 via the online portal Easy-online.
3rd Evaluation and selection: The BMV evaluates the sketches in a competitive process based on criteria such as CO₂ efficiency and degree of innovation.
4th Award and implementation: After a positive decision, the vehicles must be tendered within 6 months and the binding order must be placed within 12 months.
Detailed preparation is key to meeting important deadlines.
The decision between buying and upgrading has a significant impact on your total cost of ownership (TCO). While the funding makes the purchase of a new e-bus attractive, the D2E conversion from HEERO often offers greater economic leverage. A typical Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with a special structure (such as bus cabins) can cost over 200,000 euros. Our upgrade maintains this value and only transforms the drive.
This not only saves capital, but is also a prime example of the circular economy. The eligibility of the conversion further lowers the investment threshold. You save up to 40% of costs compared to buying a completely new special electric vehicle. This makes electrifying your fleet profitable more quickly. The combination of value retention and government funding makes the conversion a pragmatic and solution-oriented choice for future-oriented fleet managers.
A funding application can be complex. HEERO not only supports you with leading technology, but also in overcoming administrative hurdles. We offer comprehensive advice to find the optimal strategy for your vehicle fleet and to increase the chances of achieving the maximum funding rate of 80 percent. Our experts know the requirements of the funding guidelines and will help you make your project outline convincing. We provide you with all technical data for our D2E conversion or our new vehicles, including a range of up to 425 km. Our patented technology is based on the proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform and guarantees reliability and performance. With over 10 years of experience in electrification, we are the ideal partner for municipalities and logistics companies. Use our expertise for a successful funding application.
The current 2025 funding round is a unique opportunity to set the course for an emission-free and economic future for your fleet. With funding of up to 80% of additional costs and the explicit inclusion of retrofits, the changeover has never been more attractive. With the D, HEERO offers you2E-conversion is an innovative solution that saves capital and is based on the principle of the circular economy.
Alternatively, our new sprinter-based vehicles represent a powerful option. We combine ecological benefits with clear economic benefits and position ourselves as your pragmatic partner for sophisticated fleet electrification. Act now, the time is right. Request a personal advice on or book one Everyday test for freeto experience the HEERO performance for yourself.
After submission by 31.08.2025, all project outlines will be evaluated by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) in a competitive process. Criteria include CO₂ prevention. If the decision is positive, you have 6 months to tender and 12 months to place an order.
Yes, in principle, you can apply for the GHG premium for your purely electric vehicle. This is independent of investment funding for the purchase or conversion. However, the exact cumulation rules must be checked.
Absolutely. We offer comprehensive advice and provide you with all necessary technical specifications and profitability calculations for our vehicles and conversions to optimize your project outline for the 2025 e-bus funding application.
Our D2E-conversion is an eligible measure that enables you to obtain expensive special structures on your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter fleet. This significantly reduces the total investment compared to a new purchase and shortens the payback period, which can be presented as particularly economical in the funding application.
The current guideline aims to “promote alternative bus engines in passenger transport.” Vehicles such as the Sprinter, which are used for passenger transport (e.g. as a citizen bus or in shuttle traffic), are clearly covered by this regulation. There are separate funding programs for pure freight transport, such as the (currently paused) KSNI Directive.
The charging, refueling and maintenance infrastructure necessary to operate the vehicles is being promoted. This includes depot charging solutions at the depot as well as fast charging points, which are required for vehicle use.
Federal Ministry of Transport provides comprehensive information on current funding programs in the area of electric mobility and sustainable transport development, such as e-bus funding.
About the Easy-online portalProject outlines and applications for various federal funding programs, including e-bus funding, can be submitted digitally and on time.
that Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI is researching innovative solutions for electric mobility and sustainable transport concepts that are relevant for the electrification of fleets.
