BMDV E-Bus Funding: Secure an 80 percent subsidy for the electrification of your van fleet.
The latest funding round from the BMDV offers up to 80 percent grants for the conversion to electric buses. This is the opportunity for municipalities and companies to make their fleets economically viable and future-proof. Find out how you can benefit from the funding for upgrading your existing vehicles.
The topic briefly and concisely
The BMDV supports the conversion and new purchase of electric buses with up to 80 percent of the investment extra costs compared to diesel vehicles.
Applications for the current funding round can be submitted by transport companies and other fleet operators until August 31, 2025.
The HEERO D2E retrofit is fully eligible for funding and enables the economical electrification of existing vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter while retaining expensive special builds.
Rising operating costs and strict emissions regulations pose immense challenges for fleet operators. The federal government supports the transition to electromobility with an attractive funding program: The "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Passenger Transport" by the BMDV (now BMV) covers up to 80 percent of the additional costs for the acquisition or conversion of electric buses. This program is a crucial lever for logistics companies and municipalities to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and achieve sustainability goals. Heero is your partner to maximize this opportunity – from applying for funding to integrating highly efficient e-sprinters into your fleet.
Current funding call: Up to 80% of the additional costs for e-buses are eligible for reimbursement.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) has launched a new funding round for climate-friendly buses. Transport companies can submit project outlines until August 31, 2025, to benefit from substantial grants. The program reimburses up to 80 percent of the additional investment costs for electric or fuel cell buses compared to a reference diesel vehicle. Since 2021, funding has already been approved for around 3,500 buses, which will save about 2.6 million tons of CO2 over their lifetime. Approximately 1.2 billion euros are planned for the implementation of the entire program. This initiative is your chance to transition to an emission-free fleet with minimal capital investment. The high funding rate makes electrification more economical than ever before.
What exactly is promoted by the BMDV guideline?
The funding guideline is technology-neutral and application-neutral to broadly support the market ramp-up. It covers not only new purchases but also the intelligent further use of existing resources. This is a clear advantage for fleet operators with expensive specialized superstructures. The funding includes several core areas:
The procurement of new battery and fuel cell buses.
The conversion of conventional diesel vehicles to battery or fuel cell drives.
The necessary non-public charging infrastructure with a funding rate of up to 40 percent.
Associated maintenance infrastructure that is additionally required for the operation of electric vehicles.
Especially for municipalities and craft businesses with specialized Sprinter chassis, the funding for the conversion offers a unique opportunity to protect investments. Instead of financing a completely new electric vehicle including an expensive superstructure, only the drivetrain is modernized. This lowers costs and accelerates amortization.
HEERO D2E conversion: The most economical solution for your Sprinter fleet
The patented Heero D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric) is precisely tailored to the requirements of the BMDV funding. Instead of decommissioning your trusted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with expensive superstructures, we replace the diesel drive with our highly efficient electric drive. This process takes only 10 days and significantly saves your budget. The costs for a conversion are significantly lower than those for a new vehicle, optimizing the eligible additional costs. Our solution not only ensures you the maximum funding amount but also preserves the value of your existing fleet – a perfect example of applied circular economy. With a range of up to 425 km, our converted vehicles are well-equipped for demanding everyday use in logistics and municipal services. The combination of conversion and funding results in an unbeatable TCO.
Who is entitled to apply and how does the procedure work?
Eligible applicants are private and public transport companies as well as other users from the bus industry in Germany. The process for applying for the E Bus Funding from the BMDV with 80 percent is clearly structured and begins with a project outline. This must be submitted by the deadline of August 31, 2025. The allocation of funds takes place in a competitive process in which projects are evaluated based on several criteria. These include:
The expected contribution to CO₂ reduction.
The planned context of vehicle deployment (e.g., public transport, company transport).
The electrification rate of the applicant’s entire fleet.
The specific funding needs of the project.
Heero supports you with comprehensive expertise in creating a compelling project outline to maximize your chances of success. We prepare all technical data and economic calculations for you. This way, the path to funding becomes predictable and efficient.
Economic efficiency in focus: TCO benefits through promotion and retrofitting
The decision for electromobility is not only an ecological one, but above all an economic one. The 80 percent funding from the BMDV drastically reduces the initial investment hurdle. In combination with the Heero D2E conversion, an unbeatable business case arises. You not only save up to 80 percent of the additional costs, but also reduce ongoing operating costs by up to 70 percent through lower energy and maintenance costs. A converted Heero E-Sprinter often pays off in less than 4 years. Preserving your expensive vehicle body is the biggest financial lever here. A new purchase would quickly incur costs of more than 150,000 euros, which you completely save through our conversion. Use our TCO calculator to determine your individual savings potential.
Conclusion: Act now and set the course for a future-proof fleet
The current E bus funding from the BMDV offers a unique opportunity to drive the electrification of your commercial vehicle fleet with maximum government support. The funding rate of 80 percent on the additional costs and the explicit inclusion of retrofits make the switch more attractive than ever before. With the HEERO D2E technology, you optimally utilize this template by maintaining your proven Sprinter vehicles while benefiting from the advantages of a modern e-drive. Do not wait until the application deadline on August 31, 2025 passes. HEERO is your innovative partner who accompanies you through the entire process – from strategic consulting to application submission to the turnkey handover of your electrified vehicles. Request your personal consultation now or book a free everyday test to experience the performance of our solutions for yourself.
More useful links
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in public transport that are relevant for the electrification of bus fleets.
NOW GmbH coordinates and manages various funding programs for sustainable mobility on behalf of the federal government, including those for the acquisition of electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure.
Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) offers information and analyses on the development of public transport in Germany, including relevant funding landscapes for the electrification of bus fleets.
Federal Environment Agency (UBA) informs about the environmental impacts of transport and the advantages of electric mobility in reducing emissions, which underscores the relevance of the funding programs.
FAQ
What does '80 percent of additional costs' specifically mean?
80% of the difference between the purchase price of an e-bus (or the cost of a conversion) and the price of a comparable, new diesel bus is subsidized. If an electric vehicle costs €100,000 more than a diesel, the maximum subsidy amounts to €80,000.
Does the BMDV also promote the charging infrastructure?
Yes, the non-public charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure necessary for operating the electric buses is also supported, albeit with a rate of up to 40 percent of the investment costs.
Is the HEERO D2E conversion eligible for funding for my Sprinter?
Yes, our D2E conversion for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter falls under the category 'conversion of conventional buses to alternative drives' and is thus fully eligible for funding under the BMDV directive.
How does HEERO support me in applying?
HEERO offers comprehensive subsidy consultation. We analyze your needs, create a detailed profitability and TCO calculation, and help you formulate a compelling project outline to maximize your chances of approval.
What happens after August 31, 2025?
After the deadline, the submitted project outlines will be evaluated in a competitive process. The approval of the projects takes place after the adoption of the federal budget law in fall 2025. It is therefore crucial to meet the deadline.
Can I also apply as a crafts business with a Sprinter fleet?
Yes, the guideline is aimed at 'transport companies and other users in the bus industry'. If your vehicles are used for passenger transport, you are eligible to apply. We are happy to review your specific case in a free consultation.
