E-Bus Funding 2025: Take advantage of the deadline and secure up to 80% grant for the electrification of your fleet.
Time is of the essence for fleet operators in Germany. With the new funding round for e-buses and their retrofitting, you can cover up to 80% of the additional investment costs. Act now, as the application deadline for the e-bus funding ends on August 31, 2025.
The topic briefly and concisely
The application deadline for the e-bus funding ends on August 31, 2025; project outlines must be submitted by then.
Up to 80% of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion of electric buses and 40% for the charging infrastructure are subsidized.
The conversion of existing vehicles (e.g., diesel sprinters) is explicitly eligible for funding and a core competency of HEERO.
Rising operating costs and strict emission regulations pose enormous challenges for fleet managers. Electrification of commercial vehicles is no longer just an ecological, but an economic necessity. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV) has recognized this and launched a new funding call specifically aimed at converting bus fleets to alternative drives. This program offers a unique opportunity to significantly reduce the investment burden. It not only supports the purchase of new vehicles but explicitly also the D2E conversion of existing fleets – a core component of the Heero solution. With the right strategy, you can set the course for a future-proof fleet and benefit from substantial subsidies.
Final call: Application deadline for the e-bus funding ends in August 2025.
For transport companies and municipalities, the deadline is August 31, 2025. By this date, project outlines for the transition to e-buses must be submitted. This funding call is part of the "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Public Transport." The allocation of funds will occur through a competitive process, assessing criteria such as CO2 savings potential and degree of electrification. The time for a decision is now, as the guideline itself expires on December 31, 2025. Therefore, a swift submission through the federal easy-Online portal is crucial for successful participation. The approval of projects will take place after the adoption of the federal budget in autumn 2025. This time limitation underscores the need to begin planning for fleet electrification immediately.
Up to 80% funding: What is specifically subsidized?
The financial incentive of the program is significant and covers several areas of electrification. The funding subsidizes the essential additional investment costs compared to a reference diesel vehicle. This makes the transition economically viable for fleet operators. The following investments are eligible for funding:
Procurement of new vehicles: Battery-electric buses and fuel cell buses are subsidized by up to 80% of the additional costs.
Retrofitting existing vehicles: The D2E conversion from diesel to electric drive is also subsidized by up to 80% of the conversion costs, which is especially valuable for specialized vehicles.
Charging infrastructure: The necessary non-public charging and maintenance infrastructure is funded at 40% of the costs.
Feasibility studies: Analyses on the use of e-buses are supported with 50% of the expenses.
Especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the grant for infrastructure increases by up to 20 percentage points. With the right funding for the e-bus conversion, the value of existing fleets can be preserved and made future-proof.
HEERO's solution: Maximum promotion through intelligent retrofitting
The funding directive explicitly recognizes conversion as a sustainable and economical alternative to new purchases. This is where the patented D2E conversion by Heero comes into play. Instead of replacing your trusted Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with expensive special bodies, we electrify them in just 10 days. This not only preserves your capital but also valuable resources in terms of the circular economy. Our conversion is entirely eligible for funding and guarantees you the maximum funding rate of 80% on additional investment expenses. For logistics companies, this means receiving a vehicle with a range of up to 425 km while significantly reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The combination of value preservation and government funding makes electrification with Heero the most pragmatic solution on the market. This way, the electrification of your bus fleet becomes manageable and profitable.
Requirements and prioritization: Who benefits the most?
The funding program is competitively designed and prioritizes certain applicants. Companies that currently have few or no electric buses in their fleet are given preference. This is intended to facilitate market entry and accelerate the electrification broadly. A central criterion is the use in public transport (ÖPNV). Applications from this sector will be processed as a priority. Another non-negotiable requirement is the use of 100% electricity from renewable sources for the funded vehicles and charging infrastructure. Additionally, applicants must act quickly after approval: The call for applications must be submitted within 6 months, and the binding order must be placed within 12 months. Early planning, as described in our checklist for the funding application, is therefore essential.
The appropriate charging infrastructure: An integral part of the promotion
An electric vehicle is only as good as its charging infrastructure. Therefore, the BMDV program supports the purchase of the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure with 40% of the costs. This includes all non-public facilities required for the operation of the e-buses. Heero offers a comprehensive solution from a single source here. We analyze your specific needs—from overnight depot charging to fast charging solutions for operational purposes. Our approach ensures that your charging infrastructure is precisely tailored to the driving profiles of your fleet to ensure maximum efficiency and availability. Investing in the right supported charging infrastructure ensures the performance of your electrified fleet for the coming years. The EU also supports its expansion through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which can be applied for until June 11, 2025.
The application process: In 2 stages to successful funding
The funding procedure is structured in two stages to ensure an efficient selection of projects. It has been designed to make the process as clear as possible for applicants such as craft businesses or municipalities. The process is as follows:
Stage 1: Submission of the project outline: By August 31, 2025, submit a project outline via the "easy-online" portal. This outline describes your project, the CO2 savings potential, and the funding requirement.
Stage 2: Formal funding application: After a positive evaluation of your outline, you will be invited to submit a detailed, formal funding application.
To support this, the Ministry offers a free online seminar on July 15, 2025, which guides you through the application process in detail. This webinar on E-Bus funding is a valuable resource to avoid mistakes. Heero accompanies you every step of the way, from the creation of the project outline to the final application submission.
More useful links
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV): Here you will find the official guidelines for promoting alternative drives for buses in passenger transport, which form the basis for the funding of e-buses and charging infrastructure.
Federal Funding Portal (easy-Online): Through this portal, project outlines and formal funding applications for various federal funding programs, including e-bus funding, can be submitted digitally.
European Commission: Learn more about the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), an EU program that supports the expansion of charging infrastructure for alternative fuels in Europe.
FAQ
Can I also apply for funding for the charging infrastructure of my e-buses?
Yes, the funding program subsidizes the necessary non-public charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure with 40% of the eligible expenses. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this rate can be even higher.
Do I have to use green electricity for the funding?
Yes, a mandatory requirement for the funding of vehicles and charging infrastructure is the exclusive use of electricity from renewable energy sources.
What happens after my project outline is approved?
After a positive evaluation of your outline, you will be asked to submit a formal funding application. Upon its approval, you must conduct the vehicle tendering within 6 months and place the binding order within 12 months.
My company already has some e-buses. Can I still apply?
Yes, you can apply. However, in the competitive process, applicants who have previously had few or no e-buses in their fleet will be given preference to accelerate market development.
Is the funding only for public transport?
Applications in public transport will be prioritized. Remaining funds may also be allocated to other transport sectors, such as industrial or occasional transport.
Where can I find more information about the application process?
The Federal Ministry offers an online seminar on July 15, 2025, which provides detailed information about the application process. Additionally, we at Heero are available for personal consultation to guide you through the entire process.
