The federal government's new funding call is active: Municipalities and companies are now setting the course for economic and sustainable e-mobility.
Time is running out for fleet operators in Germany. With the new funding round for e-buses and their conversion, you can cover up to 80% of the additional investment costs. Act now, because the application deadline for e-bus funding ends on August 31, 2025.
Increasing operating costs and strict emissions requirements pose enormous challenges for fleet managers. The electrification of commercial vehicles is no longer just an ecological necessity, but an economic one. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) 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 also explicitly the D2E-conversion of existing fleets - a core part of the HEERO solution. With the right strategy, you can set the course for a future-proof fleet and benefit from significant subsidies.
The application deadline for e-bus funding is August 31, 2025; project outlines must be submitted by then.
80% of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion of e-buses and 40% for the charging infrastructure are supported.
The conversion of existing vehicles (e.g. diesel sprinters) is explicitly eligible for funding and is a core competence of HEERO.
For transport companies and municipalities, the deadline is August 31, 2025. Project outlines for the conversion to e-buses must be submitted by this date. This funding call is part of the “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drive Systems for Buses in Passenger Transport”. The funding is awarded in a competitive process, in which criteria such as CO2-Savings potential and degree of electrification are assessed.
The time to make a decision is now, as the Directive itself expires on December 31, 2025. Quick submission via the federal EASY-online portal is therefore crucial for successful participation. The projects will be approved after the federal budget has been approved in autumn 2025. This time limit underlines the need to start planning for fleet electrification immediately.
The program's financial incentive is significant and covers several areas of electrification. The funding subsidizes significant additional investment expenditure compared to a reference diesel vehicle. This makes the switch economically viable for fleet operators. The following investments are eligible:
Procurement of new vehicles: Battery-electric buses and fuel cell buses are funded with 80% of the additional costs.
Retrofitting existing vehicles: The D2E-conversion from diesel to electric drives is also subsidized with 80% of the conversion costs, which is particularly valuable for special vehicles such as minibuses.
Charging infrastructure: The necessary non-public charging and maintenance infrastructure is funded with 40% of the costs.
Feasibility studies: Analyses on the use of e-buses are supported with 50% of expenditure.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular, the subsidy for infrastructure is increasing by up to 20 percentage points. With the right funding for e-bus conversion, the value of existing fleets can be maintained and made future-proof.
The funding guideline explicitly recognizes the conversion as a sustainable and economic alternative to buying a new one. This is where HEERO's patented D2E conversion comes in. Instead of replacing your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with expensive special bodies, we electrify them in just 10 days. This not only saves your capital, but also valuable resources in terms of the circular economy. Our conversion is eligible for funding as a whole and ensures you the maximum funding rate of 80% on additional investment expenditure.
For bus companies, this means getting a vehicle with a range of up to 300 km while significantly reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO). The combination of maintaining value and government funding makes electrification with HEERO the most pragmatic solution on the market. This makes the electrification of your bus fleet predictable and profitable.
The funding program is competitive and prioritizes specific applicants. Companies that currently have few or no e-buses in their fleet will be preferred. This should facilitate market entry and accelerate electrification across the board. A
The central criterion is use in public transport (public transport). Applications from this sector will be given priority. Another, non-negotiable requirement is the use of 100% electricity from renewable sources for the subsidized vehicles and charging infrastructure. In addition, applicants must act quickly after approval: The call for tenders must be made within 6 months and the binding appointment within 12 months.
Early planning, as described in our Checklist for the funding application is therefore essential.
An e-vehicle is only as good as its charging infrastructure. The BMV program therefore supports the purchase of the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure with 40% of the costs. This includes all non-public facilities that are required to operate the e-buses. HEERO offers a comprehensive solution from a single source. We analyse your specific requirements — from overnight depot charging to fast-charging solutions for operational operations. 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 Charging infrastructure with funding ensures the performance of your electrified fleet for years to come. The EU is also supporting the expansion through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which can be applied for by June 11, 2025.
The funding process is structured in two stages to ensure an efficient selection of projects. It was designed to make the process as clear as possible for applicants such as craft businesses or municipalities. The process is as follows:
1. Stage 1: Submission of project outline: By August 31, 2025, submit a project outline via the “easy-online” online portal. This outline describes your project, CO2 savings potential and funding requirements.
2nd Stage 2: Formal funding application: After a positive evaluation of your outline, you will be asked to submit a detailed, formal funding application.
To support this, the Ministry will be offering a free online seminar on July 15, 2025, which will guide you through the application process in detail. This Webinar on e-bus funding is a valuable resource for preventing errors. HEERO accompanies you every step of the way, from the preparation of the project outline to the final application.
The current e-bus funding with the deadline 2025 represents a decisive opportunity to set the course for an emission-free and economic future of your vehicle fleet. With subsidies of up to 80% for the conversion and purchase of e-buses and 40% for charging infrastructure, the switch has never been more attractive. HEERO is your innovative partner, backed by the patented D2E-conversion preserves the value of your existing fleet and optimizes total operating costs.
We offer you a pragmatic complete solution that includes vehicle, service and charging infrastructure. Take advantage of this opportunity and let us shape the transformation of your fleet together. Request now Your personal advice at or Book an everyday test for free.
Yes, the funding program subsidizes the necessary non-public charging, refueling and maintenance infrastructure with 40% of eligible expenditure. For small and medium-sized enterprises, this rate may be even higher.
Yes, a mandatory requirement for promoting vehicles and charging infrastructure is the exclusive use of electricity from renewable energy sources.
After a positive evaluation of your outline, you will be asked to submit a formal funding application. After approval, you must tender the vehicles within 6 months and complete the binding order within 12 months.
Yes, you can make an application. However, in the competitive process, applicants who currently have only a few or no e-buses in their fleet will receive preferential treatment in order to speed up the market.
Applications in public transport (public transport) are primarily promoted. Other funds may also be allocated to other types of transport, such as commercial or occasional transport.
On July 15, 2025, the Federal Ministry is offering an online seminar that provides detailed information about the application process. At HEERO, we are also available for personal advice to guide you through the entire process.
Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV): Here you can find the official Guideline for promoting alternative bus engines in passenger transport, which forms the basis for subsidies for 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, submitted digitally.
European Commission: Find out more about the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), an EU program that supports the expansion of charging infrastructure for alternative fuels in Europe.
