Time is short: The current funding guideline for e-buses ends on December 31, 2025. Act now to receive maximum funding for the electrification of your fleet and set the course for an economic future.
The Federal Government will not extend the current electric bus funding program Germany 2025. For fleet operators in municipalities and companies, this means that there is only a short chance of getting 80% of the additional investment costs for new e-buses and conversions reimbursed. Find out how you can now set the course for an emission-free and economical fleet.
The electrification of bus fleets is no longer a future issue for municipalities and transport companies, but a business and ecological necessity. In view of rising operating costs and stricter emission requirements, switching to electric drives is the logical step. The current Electric bus funding program Germany 2025 With subsidies of 80%, the federal government offers a unique financial opportunity for this. But this opportunity is limited in time: The underlying directive expires on December 31, 2025 and will not be continued.
For fleet managers and decision makers, this means that the countdown to securing these significant funds is running. HEERO is your partner for mastering this process pragmatically and setting the course for a sustainable, cost-effective future.
The central federal funding program for e-buses expires on December 31, 2025 and will not be extended, which requires quick action.
Companies and municipalities can still receive 80% of the additional investment costs for e-buses and 40% for charging infrastructure as a subsidy.
Regional funding programs are being created in response to the expiry of federal funding, which makes the funding landscape more complex but still full of opportunities.
With the “Directive on the Promotion of Alternative Bus Drive Systems in Passenger Transport”, the Federal Government has provided decisive impetus for market ramp-up. Between 2021 and 2024, around 3,500 electric buses were supported, which will save an impressive 2.85 million tons of CO2 over their lifetime. This measure has increased the number of e-buses in Germany from around 200 in 2018 to over 2,600 in 2023.
The crucial information for you, however, is that this extremely beneficial funding guideline expires on December 31, 2025. Since the federal government is not planning a direct extension, there is a financing gap that poses significant challenges for transport companies. The remaining time must therefore be used efficiently to submit applications and implement the transformation of your fleet with maximum government support.
The switch to electric drives is not only a question of sustainability, but thanks to the funding, it is also a clear economic decision, as proven by the high funding rate of 80 percent. This urgency underlines the need to strategically address the remaining funding pools now.
To take full advantage of this opportunity, fleet operators must know the details of the program. Legal entities under public and private law as well as economically active natural persons in Germany are eligible to apply. The funding is aimed at offsetting the higher purchase costs compared to a conventional diesel bus, which are often more than double. The core of the funding is an 80% subsidy on additional investment expenditure for battery or fuel cell buses.
The funding program covers several areas to enable a holistic transition:
Vehicle procurement and conversion: 80% of the additional costs for the purchase of battery buses or the conversion of existing vehicles are covered.
Related infrastructure: The necessary non-public charging infrastructure is subsidized with up to 40% of expenditure.
Feasibility studies: Analyses of the use of e-buses in your fleet are funded with up to 50%.
Prerequisite for operation: A key requirement is the exclusive use of electricity from renewable sources for the subsidized vehicles.
The two-stage application process via the easy-Online system requires careful preparation. A complete Checklist for the funding application is crucial in order not to miss the deadlines. In view of the complexity, professional support is the key to success before the 2025 funding period expires.
The expiry of federal funding does not mean the complete end of government support. Foresighted state and local associations are already starting to set up their own programs to fill the resulting gap. One example is Nahverkehr Westfalen-Lippe (NWL), which has decided on its own funding program for 2025 with a volume of 10 million euros. This program is intended to promote the additional costs of around 75 new zero-emission buses by up to 60 percent and thus ensure the modernization of fleets in the region.
These regional initiatives show that funding opportunities will continue to exist after 2025; however, these are smaller and more specific. This makes it even more important for fleet operators to keep track of the differences between federal and state funding. Navigating through this patchwork of regulations requires specialized knowledge to identify and combine the appropriate pots.
HEERO helps you identify these new opportunities and utilize them for your fleet. The right strategy will continue to provide you with the necessary support for your battery bus projects in the future. These new, decentralized funding opportunities require an even more targeted approach to planning.
Investing in electric mobility is more than a contribution to climate protection; it is a strategic decision to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO). Current battery buses already produce 54% less CO₂ emissions over their life cycle than diesel buses. However, it is more important for economic operation that operating costs, particularly for energy, are only around half as high as those of diesel vehicles.
The biggest hurdle remains the high acquisition costs, which are significantly reduced by the current funding. This is where HEERO's innovative approach comes in: the D2E-conversion. Instead of buying an expensive new vehicle, we electrify your proven existing vehicles on a Sprinter basis. This not only saves valuable resources in terms of the circular economy, but also drastically reduces the initial investment. This makes the transition economically feasible even for fleets with expensive special structures. The combination of funding for the e-bus conversion and the lower investment costs of D2E-solution sustainably optimizes your TCO balance.
With the right strategy, electrification will directly benefit your balance sheet.
In a changing funding landscape, you need a partner who is not only a technological leader, but also pragmatic and solution-oriented. HEERO accompanies you through the entire process - from analyzing your fleet to navigating through the funding jungle to implementing the appropriate charging solutions. We will help you make optimal use of the deadlines for the expiring electric bus funding program Germany 2025.
Whether by purchasing a highly efficient new electric vehicle or through our patented D2E conversion based on the proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter - we secure your investments and make your fleet future-proof. Our solutions are tailored to the needs of municipalities, logistics companies and craft businesses and guarantee maximum efficiency and performance. Rely on an innovative partner who will pave the way to electrification for you.
The next step is easy and non-binding. Request now Your personal advice or experience HEERO technology live. Book an everyday test for free and see for yourself the performance of our solutions.
The underlying funding guideline expires on December 31, 2025. Since the application process is two-stage and takes time, you should submit your project outline as early as possible to ensure that all deadlines are met. Please contact us for detailed time planning.
Yes, the Directive explicitly includes the conversion of buses and promotes them with 80% of additional investment expenditure. Our HEERO D2E-conversion is an ideal, eligible solution to economically electrify your existing fleet.
The necessary, non-public charging infrastructure is a central part of the funding and is subsidized with up to 40% of eligible expenditure. We provide you with comprehensive advice to develop and promote a holistic solution comprising vehicle and charging concept.
There will still be funding opportunities after 2025, but probably through decentralized programs from countries or associations with possibly different conditions. We continuously monitor developments and help you find the best possible funding for your project even then.
Our team of experts will guide you through the entire process. We help you prepare the necessary documents, ensure that all criteria are met, and assist you with the submission via the EASY online portal to maximize your chances of success.
Our D2E-conversion is ideal for fleet operators who operate on the proven basis of the Mercedes Benz Sprinter, in particular those with expensive or complex special structures. It protects your previous investments and enables a particularly economic transition. Book an everyday test for free to experience the solution live.
Federal Ministry of Transport provides comprehensive information on current funding programs in the area of electric mobility and sustainable transport development, such as e-bus funding.
About the Easy-online portal Project outlines and applications for various federal funding programs, including e-bus funding, can be submitted digitally and on time.
that Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI is researching innovative solutions for electric mobility and sustainable transport concepts that are relevant for the electrification of fleets.
