How to make optimal use of current funds for the conversion and purchase of new e-commercial vehicles and reduce the TCO of your fleet.
The latest funding round from the BMV offers up to 80 percent subsidy for the conversion to e-buses. This is an opportunity for municipalities and companies to make their fleets economical and future-proof. Find out how you can benefit from funding to convert your existing vehicles.
Increasing operating costs and strict emissions requirements pose enormous challenges for fleet operators. The federal government is supporting the transition to electric mobility with an attractive funding program: The “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drive Systems for Buses in Passenger Transport” from BMV (now BMV) covers up to 80 percent of the additional costs for the purchase or conversion of electric buses.
This program is a key lever for logistics companies and municipalities to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and achieve sustainability goals. HEERO is your partner to make the most of this opportunity - from submitting an application to integrating highly efficient e-sprinters into your fleet.
The BMV is funding the conversion and purchase of new e-buses with 80 percent of the additional investment expenditure 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-conversion is fully eligible for funding and enables the economical electrification of existing vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter while maintaining expensive special bodies.
The Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMV) has launched a new round of funding for climate-friendly buses. Transport companies can submit project outlines by August 31, 2025 in order to benefit from significant subsidies. The program reimburses 80 percent of additional investment expenditure 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 carry around 2.6 million tons of CO over their lifetime2 will save money. Around 1.2 billion euros are earmarked for the implementation of the entire program. This initiative is your opportunity to make the switch to an emission-free fleet with minimal capital investment. The high funding rate now makes electrification more economical than ever before.
The funding guideline is technology-open and application-neutral in order to broadly support market ramp-up. It covers not only the purchase of new resources, but also the intelligent continued use of existing resources. This is a clear advantage for fleet operators with expensive special structures. Funding covers several key areas:
The procurement of new battery and fuel cell buses.
Die Conversion of conventional diesel vehicles on battery or fuel cell drives.
The necessary, non-public charging infrastructure with a funding rate of up to 40 percent.
Related maintenance infrastructure, which is also required to operate e-vehicles.
For municipalities and passenger transport companies with specialized Sprinter chassis in particular, promoting retrofitting offers a unique opportunity to protect investments. Instead of financing a completely new electric vehicle, including an expensive body, only the powertrain is being modernized. This lowers costs and accelerates amortization.
The patented HEERO D2E-conversion (diesel-to-electric) is precisely tailored to the requirements of BMV funding. Instead of retiring your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with expensive bodies, we are replacing the diesel engine with our highly efficient electric drive. This process only takes 10 days and saves your budget significantly. The costs of a conversion are significantly lower than those for a new vehicle, which optimizes the additional eligible 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 300 km with HEERO minibuses Our converted vehicles are ideally equipped for demanding everyday life in logistics and municipal services. The combination of conversion and funding results in an unbeatable TCO.
Private and public transport companies as well as other users from the bus industry in Germany are eligible to apply. The process for applying for E-bus funding from BMV with 80 percent is clearly structured and starts with a project outline. This must be submitted by the deadline of August 31, 2025. The funding is awarded in a competitive process in which projects are evaluated on the basis of several criteria. This includes:
1. The expected contribution to CO₂ reduction.
2. The planned context of use of the vehicles (e.g. public transport, factory traffic).
3. The electrification rate of the applicant's entire fleet.
4. The specific funding requirements of the project.
HEERO supports you with comprehensive expertise in preparing a meaningful proposal outline to maximize your chances of success. We prepare all technical data and profitability calculations for you. This makes the path to funding predictable and efficient.
The decision for electric mobility is not only an ecological one, but above all an economic one. Die 80 percent funding from BMV drastically reduces the initial investment hurdle. In combination with HEERO D2E-conversion creates an unbeatable business case. You not only save up to 80 percent of 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 for itself in less than 4 years. Maintaining your expensive vehicle body This is the biggest financial lever. A new purchase here would quickly result in costs of over 200,000 euros, which you will save completely through our conversion. Take advantage of our TCO calculator in an appointment with our minibus expertto determine your individual savings potential.
The current E-bus funding from the BMV offers a unique opportunity to drive forward the electrification of your commercial vehicle fleet with maximum government support. The funding rate of 80 percent for additional costs and the explicit inclusion of retrofits make the switch more attractive than ever before. With HEERO D2E-technology Make optimal use of this template by maintaining your proven Sprinter vehicles and at the same time benefiting from the benefits of a modern electric drive.
Don't wait until the application deadline of August 31, 2025. HEERO is your innovative partner who accompanies you through the entire process — from strategic advice and application to the turnkey handover of your electrified vehicles. Request your personal consultation now or book an everyday test for free to experience the performance of our solutions for yourself.
80% of the difference between the purchase price of an e-bus (or the costs of a conversion) and the price of a comparable, new diesel bus is funded. For example, if an electric vehicle costs 100,000€ more than a diesel, the maximum subsidy is 80,000€.
Yes, the non-public charging, refueling and maintenance infrastructure required to operate electric buses is also being funded, but at a rate of up to 40 percent of investment costs.
Yes, our D2E-conversion for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter falls under the category of 'conversion of conventional buses to alternative drives, 'and is therefore fully eligible for funding under the BMV Directive.
HEERO offers comprehensive funding advice. We analyse your requirements, prepare a detailed profitability and TCO calculation and help you formulate a convincing project outline to maximize your chances of approval.
After the deadline, the submitted project outlines will be evaluated in a competitive process. The projects will be approved after the Federal Budget Act has been passed in autumn 2025, so it is crucial to meet the deadline.
Yes, the Directive is aimed at 'transport companies and other users in the bus industry. ' If your vehicles are used to transport passengers, you are eligible to apply. We would be happy to check your specific case in a free consultation.
Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) provides comprehensive information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in passenger transport, which 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 purchase of electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure.
Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) provides 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) provides information on the environmental impact of transport and the benefits of electric mobility to reduce emissions, which underlines the relevance of the funding programs.
