From 3rd September EBIN 8 in Austria: HEERO eMinibus with full 60% funding
EBIN Funding 8th Edition starting from 3rd September 2025! Secure the HEERO Mid-Floor Electric MiniBus with a full 60% subsidy as a transport company and region. Start now!
The topic briefly and concisely
EBIN 8 subsidises up to 60% of the additional costs for zero-emission buses in Austria.
The 7-week submission period is from 3rd September to 22nd October 2025
The HEERO low-floor eMinibus offers a 137 kWh gross battery, over 300 km range, and individual configuration for up to 22 passengers.
Austria is launching the eighth call for the funding programme EBIN – Emission-free Buses and Infrastructure on 03/09/2025. Submissions are possible until 22 October. Transport companies, municipalities, and associations can now prepare to benefit from up to 60% funding for emission-free buses and 60% for charging and refuelling infrastructure. As a Bavarian bus manufacturer, HEERO Motors provides the perfect product for Austrian EBIN projects with the HEERO Mid-Low-Floor eMinibus.
Why EBIN 8 is so important
The Austrian federal government has enshrined in the National Energy and Climate Plan the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2040. EBIN has supported the transition in public passenger transport to battery-electric, trolleybus, and fuel cell buses as well as the necessary infrastructure since 2021.
By mid-2026, at least 579 buses are to be converted to emission-free drives. The seventh call was completely exhausted in just a few weeks with a budget of €13 million – a clear signal of high demand.
Key Points of the EBIN 8 Call (Autumn 2025)
Publication 3rd September 2025, followed by a submission deadline of seven weeks
Mandatory consultation at the FFG, at least three weeks before the submission deadline
Funding rate for vehicles: up to 60% of the acknowledged additional costs
Funding rate for infrastructure: up to 60% of the acknowledged net investment costs
Maximum project duration until May 2027, retention obligation of five years
Reference price for Midi-/Minibuses (up to 10 m length): €115,000 Diesel comparison price
HEERO Motors - Bavarian quality for the Austrian market
HEERO Motors from Ismaning near Munich develops and produces electric minibuses. The proximity to Austria ensures short supply chains and quick response times. Spare parts supply is unproblematic due to the Mercedes Sprinter base.
German training and support ensure smooth operation and score points in the EBIN evaluation criteria “Quality of the project”.
Product focus: HEERO low-floor eMinibus
Technical Highlights
Class M3, Medium Low Floor with up to 22 seats
Gross battery capacity: 137 kWh (net minimum 115 kWh)
Range under normal conditions: over 300 km (50% load, moderate topography, 20°C)
AC charging power: up to 22 kW, DC fast charging 165 kW (20 to 80% in about 30 mins.)
Drive concept "HEERO Direct Drive": gearless direct drive without angle gear
Motor power: 180 kW (245 HP), permissible total weight 5,900 kg
Range and Application
Under normal conditions (half load, moderate topography), the Heero eMinibus achieves a realistic 300 km range - enough for long cycles in cities like Vienna or Graz without interim charging.
HEERO Direct Drive
The permanent synchronous motor drives directly on the rear axle. By eliminating the angle gear, all gearbox oil changes, overhauls, and expensive repairs are eliminated. In the usual 12-year depreciation cycle of a municipal bus, this saves an estimated €15,000 in maintenance costs and prevents downtime.
Economy and Funding Advantages
Base price Heero eMinibus: from around €170,000 (depending on equipment from approx. €180,000)
Reference diesel midibus up to 10 m: €115,000
Additional costs: approx. €65,000
60% EBIN grant: approx. €39,000
Own contribution per vehicle: from approx. €141,000
A ten-bus project achieves a subsidy amount of €390,000. Additionally saves up to €19,000 per bus annually in energy costs and avoids around 57 tons of CO₂ per year.
Conclusion
Austria's eighth EBIN call offers the most attractive conditions yet for emission-free minibus projects. HEERO Motors, as a Bavarian local supplier, delivers with the Mid-Low-Floor eMinibus an almost unrivalled product: 137kWh battery, over 300km range, HEERO Direct Drive without angle gear, fully subsidisable up to 60%.
Those who now concretise project ideas, reserve consultancy appointments and prepare submissions will start in 2026 with maximum funding, minimal operational costs and a clear climate contribution to the future of Austrian public transport.
Act now! Because pole position for EBIN 8 is just one contact away.
More useful links
Discover the HEERO eMinibus directly - and request a test drive immediately.
Directly to the 8th EBIN Call - Emission-free Buses
FFG eCall Portal (Application System) - Platform for the actual submission of project documents for EBIN and other FFG programs
Here’s the online tutorial for the detailed description of your project.
FFG EBIN Program Page (https://www.ffg.at/ebin) - Overview of funding rates, submission deadlines, and contact information for the EBIN program
EBIN 7 Call Guide (Start PDF download directly) - Detailed regulations on funding items, evaluation criteria, deadlines, and funding processing
Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) - Official information on the Ministry’s funding policies, guidelines, and press releases
NextGenerationEU – Information on RRF - Background on EU recovery financing, from which programs like EBIN are co-financed
FAQ
Why does EBIN not promote conversions?
In Austria, the demand for diesel-to-electric conversions is still too low because the cost-effective switch through the unique Heero technology is not yet widely known. The current funding call in Germany already takes conversions into account and even supports them with 80% of the total conversion costs. According to Chap. 4.1 of the guidelines, only new vehicles or day registrations of class M3 are expected to be funded in the 8th EBIN edition.
What are the operational and retention obligations?
For buses and infrastructure, a 5-year operational obligation applies from the start of operation.
Do I need 100% green electricity?
Yes. The electricity must come from renewable sources; proof is required in the monitoring report.
What distinguishes Heero Direct Drive from other concepts?
The design without an angle gearbox eliminates gearbox revisions and downtime due to technical problems, reduces noise, and maintenance.
Do the 12 years of gearbox concerns come from a standard?
No. It is a practice-oriented derivation from two typical 6-year gearbox revisions within the usual 12-year depreciation period of municipal buses. Thanks to Heero Direct Drive, these scheduled costs are completely eliminated.
