Electric bus funding 2025: Secure an 80% subsidy before the deadline on August 31.
Did you know that over 3,500 electric buses are already benefiting from 80% government subsidies? Time is running out, as the current funding period ends on August 31, 2025. Act now to pragmatically address rising diesel prices and strict EU regulations.
The topic briefly and concisely
The current funding round for electric buses with an 80% subsidy for vehicles and 40% for charging infrastructure ends on August 31, 2025.
The diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) saves up to 40% of investment costs compared to purchasing a new vehicle and reduces CO₂ emissions from vehicle manufacturing by 75%.
Due to lower energy and maintenance costs, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of an electric bus over its lifetime is up to 30% lower than that of a diesel bus.
The electrification of your bus fleet is not a question of "if" but of "when" and "how." In light of rising operating costs, the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, and ambitious climate goals, transport companies and municipalities face enormous challenges. Transitioning to a purely electric bus is the strategically right answer. This article shows you in four clear steps how to secure 80% government funding for vehicles and retrofits before the deadline on August 31, 2025. We explain the benefits of the Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) and how it can not only save you CO₂ but also significantly reduce your total operating costs (TCO).
First August 31, 2025: Act now for 80% funding
The clock is ticking for fleet operators. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transportation (BMDV) supports the transition to clean drives with an attractive funding guideline, which will only accept applications until August 31, 2025. As part of this program, up to 80% of the additional costs for the acquisition of a new electric bus or for a diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) are covered. Additionally, the establishment of the necessary charging infrastructure is subsidized by up to 40% of the investment costs. This funding is a crucial lever to reduce investment costs by more than half and to secure the economic viability of your fleet for the next ten years. Missing this deadline means having to bear the full financial burden of the transition alone. The next section outlines your specific roadmap for a successful application.
Your 4-point action plan for timely promotion
To secure funding on time, a pragmatic and structured approach is crucial. With over 10 years of experience, we have optimized this process for hundreds of partners. Follow this checklist in four steps:
Conduct needs analysis: Analyze your current routes and schedules. Our experts will help you determine the exact energy requirements and select the appropriate vehicle model with a range of up to 400 km.
Create TCO comparison: We calculate your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), i.e., the total operating costs. This analysis shows that a modern electric bus is up to 30% cheaper over five years than a diesel counterpart due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
Prepare funding application: Together, we will compile all necessary documents for the funding application. Our success rate is over 95% for correctly submitted applications.
Submit on time: The final application must be received by the funding provider by the deadline of August 31, 2025. We guarantee timely processing if you start the process with us by July 31, 2025.
The core of a cost-effective transition often lies not in new purchases, but in the intelligent reuse of existing resources.
Renovation instead of new purchase: Circular economy as an efficiency booster
Why scrap a proven vehicle when only the drive is outdated? The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) is at the core of our circular economy philosophy. Instead of making a complete new purchase, we retrofit your existing buses with a state-of-the-art electric drive within just 20 working days. This approach saves up to 75% of the CO₂ emissions that would be produced in the manufacture of a new vehicle. A converted HEERO low-floor rear bus, with its 96 kWh net battery capacity, achieves a practical range of up to 300 km – ideal for urban and regional traffic. You retain your proven vehicle and reduce investment costs by around 40% compared to a new purchase. These sustainable conversion solutions not only save your budget but also valuable resources. But how do the costs add up in the long term?
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): The true cost comparison
The acquisition costs are only part of the equation. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) takes into account all costs incurred over the entire lifespan of a vehicle, which ranges from eight to twelve years. An analysis by the ICCT shows that battery electric trucks can already achieve TCO parity with diesel vehicles today when subsidies and CO₂ pricing are considered. Our calculations for an electric minibus in urban transport confirm this. Here are the key factors:
Energy Costs: Electricity costs per 100 km are around €12–18, while diesel costs often exceed €30.
Maintenance & Repair: An electric motor has up to 80% fewer moving parts than a diesel engine, which reduces maintenance costs by at least 50%.
Taxes & Fees: Electric buses are exempt from the vehicle tax for ten years and benefit from a lower CO₂ toll.
Residual Value: Due to the durability of the batteries (over 3,000 charging cycles) and the increasing demand, we forecast a 15% higher residual value for e-buses after eight years.
These figures demonstrate the long-term profitability, which is further strengthened by legal framework conditions.
Regulatory tailwind: Understanding the Clean Vehicles Directive
The EU sets clear targets with the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented by the German Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG). Public contractors such as municipalities and transport companies are obliged to comply with fixed quotas for clean and zero-emission vehicles in their procurement. By the end of 2025, 45% of all newly procured buses must be "clean," of which half (22.5%) must be completely zero-emission. From 2026, these quotas increase to 65% and 32.5%, respectively. A HEERO electric bus is by definition a zero-emission vehicle and thus meets the strictest category of the CVD. Your investment is therefore 100% future-proof and protects you from potential penalties for non-compliance with the quotas. The fulfillment of these requirements directly depends on the available vehicle technology.
HEERO technology: performance and range for practical use
Our vehicles are designed for demanding everyday use in passenger transport. Each model offers an optimized balance of range, charging performance, and capacity. All of our current e-bus models are based on proven platforms. Here is an overview of the key figures of our three core models:
HEERO medium-floor bus: With a battery capacity of 137 kWh (gross) and a DC charging power of up to 165 kW, it is designed for high passenger volumes. It achieves a range of up to 300 km.
HEERO rear low-floor bus: This model uses a 110 kWh battery (96 kWh net) and charges at up to 135 kW. Its range is also up to 300 km, ideal for flexible city lines.
HEERO Tourer (minibus 9 Pax): The agile passenger transporter for up to nine people achieves a range of up to 400 km with its 96 kWh net battery, making it suitable for longer shuttle services.
In just 30 minutes of charging time our buses reach 80% of their range again, allowing seamless integration into existing circulation plans. This technological superiority is the key to an emission-free public transport system.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) reports on the milestone of 1000 funded electric buses.
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) provides information on the funding for electric buses in public local transport (ÖPNV).
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs provides a final report of a supporting investigation on electric buses in public transport.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) contains a newsletter article on the topic of energy transition, possibly related to electric buses.
The Project Management Jülich (PtJ) offers detailed information on bus funding, especially regarding procurement.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) publishes current statistics on new vehicle registrations.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) provides comprehensive information on electromobility.
FAQ
What funding is available for an electric bus?
The BMDV funds the purchase or conversion of electric buses with up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a diesel bus. The associated charging infrastructure is subsidized with up to 40%. The application deadline for the current program ends on August 31, 2025.
How long does it take to charge an electric bus?
With DC fast charging, a Heero electric bus can be charged to about 80% of its battery capacity in approximately 30 to 45 minutes. The charging power is up to 165 kW depending on the model, which ensures rapid redeployment in route operation.
What is the lifespan of the battery in a Heero electric bus?
Our lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) are designed for a long lifespan of over 3,000 full charging cycles. This corresponds to a service life of over ten years with daily use, without significant capacity loss.
What is the advantage of a diesel-to-electric (DTE) conversion?
The main advantage is cost savings of about 40% compared to a new vehicle and sustainability. You get an emission-free vehicle but preserve the value of your existing, often expensive bus body. The conversion takes only about 20 working days.
Do Heero electric buses meet the requirements of the SaubFahrzeugBeschG?
Yes, all Heero electric buses are zero-emission vehicles and thus meet the highest requirements of the Clean Vehicle Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG) and the EU Clean Vehicles Directive. This guarantees you full compliance in public tenders.
Do you also offer advice on funding eligibility?
Yes, we offer a free and non-binding funding analysis. Our experts examine your specific situation, calculate the potential subsidy amount, and guide you through the entire application process to ensure the deadline on August 31, 2025, is met.
