SME bonus e-bus funding 2025: Secure up to 80% subsidy for the electrification of your Sprinter fleet

How small and medium-sized companies are drastically reducing the costs of retrofitting and purchasing e-commercial vehicles with the current funding guideline.

Are you facing the challenge of decarbonizing your commercial vehicle fleet without breaking the bank? With e-bus funding 2025 and a special SME bonus, the Federal Government is offering a unique opportunity. Find out how you can receive up to 80% of the additional investments for the electrification of your vehicles as a subsidy and thus make the transition cost-effective.

For municipalities and companies, the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicle fleets is not a question of if, but of when. Statutory requirements and rising operating costs for diesel vehicles create pressure to act. At the same time, the high initial investments represent a significant hurdle. This is exactly where the current “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drive Systems for Buses in Passenger Transport” comes in.

With the SME Bonus E-Bus Funding 2025, it offers targeted financial relief that paves the way for economically and ecologically sensible fleet modernization. HEERO is your partner to make full use of this potential.

Key Takeaways

With the current funding guideline, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can receive up to 80% of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion of e-buses and e-passenger carriers as a subsidy.
The conversion of existing diesel vehicles (D2E) is explicitly promoted, which protects investments in special structures and supports the principles of the circular economy.
In addition to vehicles, the necessary charging infrastructure is also subsidized with up to 40% of the costs, which enables holistic fleet electrification.

Overview of government e-vehicle funding 2025

The Federal Government is using considerable resources to drive the transport revolution forward. By 2025, around 1.3 billion euros are earmarked for promoting climate-friendly commercial vehicles and an additional 6.3 billion euros for setting up the charging and refueling infrastructure. The central instrument for operators of bus and sprinter fleets is the amended “Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Bus Drive Systems in Passenger Transport”. This initiative by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) focuses on battery and fuel cell vehicles.

It not only covers the new purchase, but also explicitly the Retrofitting existing diesel vehicles What makes them particularly attractive. Outlines for funding applications can be submitted as part of the current call for proposals until August 31, 2025. This creates a clear perspective for your fleet planning in the coming year.

How SMEs maximize their subsidies with the funding bonus

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the German economy and benefit from special support. The funding guideline provides for a special SME bonus, which significantly increases the standard funding rate. For SMEs, it is possible to increase the funding rate by 10 to 20 percentage points. In practice, this means that while large companies bear a significant part of the additional costs themselves, SMEs can obtain a funding rate of 80% on extra investment expenditure obtained for an electric vehicle compared to a diesel model.

This regulation massively lowers the entry barrier for innovative logistics companies and craft businesses and accelerates the amortization of the investment. The maximum funding rate often makes the switch to e-mobility the more economically wise decision.

Circular economy in action: Why retrofitting is being promoted

A central, innovative aspect of the funding guideline is explicit support for the conversion of existing vehicles. This is a clear commitment to the circular economy and saves valuable resources. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle with an expensive special structure, the HEERO D reduces its life cycle2E-conversion (diesel-to-electric) extended. The funding covers up to 80% of the costs directly related to the conversion.

The prerequisite is that the converted vehicle has a remaining lifetime of at least 8 years or 600,000 kilometers. For municipalities and companies with special vehicles, this is the ideal solution to protect capital ties and yet switch to zero emissions. Funding for retrofitting is therefore a decisive lever.

Strategic planning: The checklist for your funding application

The path to successful funding starts with careful preparation. Project Management Agency Jülich (PtJ), which processes the applications, provides comprehensive documentation for this purpose. Timely submission of the project outline by 31.08.2025 is crucial. The following steps are essential for a successful application for SME Bonus E-Bus Funding 2025:

Analysis of the status quo: Record your current fleet size, driving profiles and the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your diesel vehicles.
Definition of the target image: Determine how many vehicles you want to convert or buy new ones and what ranges (e.g. 425 km with HEERO) you need.
Profitability calculation: Juxtapose additional investment expenditure for e-vehicles with savings in energy, maintenance, taxes and CO2 duties.
Review of SME criteria: Make sure that your company meets the official EU definition for small and medium-sized enterprises to receive the bonus.
Obtaining an offer: Request a detailed offer for the conversion or new vehicles, which serves as the basis for the funding application.
Preparation of the project outline: Fill out the funding provider's templates carefully and describe your project precisely.

Professional advice when submitting an application can significantly increase the chances of success.

It's not just the vehicle that counts: subsidies for charging infrastructure

An e-vehicle is only as good as the charging infrastructure behind it. The Federal Government has recognized this and is promoting the development of the necessary Infrastructure with up to 40% of investment costs. This subsidy is for the construction and expansion of operational charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Funding can also be increased through the SME Bonus.

This further reduces the overall costs of electrifying your fleet and makes it possible to set up a future-proof charging solution at your depot. HEERO offers you a holistic solution, ranging from advice on the vehicle to appropriate planning of the charging infrastructure.

Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO

The current funding landscape with the SME Bonus E-Bus Funding 2025 offers an unprecedented opportunity to make the switch to electric mobility economical and sustainable. With subsidies of 80% on additional costs for purchase or conversion and 40% for charging infrastructure, the financial burden is significantly reduced. In particular, the promotion of D2E-conversion protects your previous investments and establishes a sustainable circular economy model in your fleet.

As an innovative partner, HEERO accompanies you through the entire process, from analysis to application to commissioning. Take advantage of the opportunity to future-proof your fleet and benefit from massive cost advantages at the same time. Request yours now personal advice on or book one Everyday test for freeto experience the performance of our solutions for yourself.

FAQ

What exactly is being funded under the SME Bonus E-Bus Funding 2025?

Additional investment expenditure for the purchase of battery and fuel cell buses as well as the costs of retrofitting diesel vehicles are supported. In addition, up to 40% of the costs for the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure are covered.

Is the HEERO D2Eligible for e-conversion for my Sprinter?

Yes, the conversion of commercial vehicles is an explicit subject of funding. Our D2E conversion for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter meets the criteria and enables you to benefit from the high subsidies and obtain your special bodies.

How does HEERO help me apply for funding?

Our team of experts will provide you with comprehensive advice. We analyse your savings potential, check your eligibility, prepare a TCO calculation and assist you in compiling all necessary documents for a successful submission of the project outline.

What happens if my company is not an SME?

Larger companies are also eligible to apply and receive attractive funding rates, even if the special SME bonus does not apply. We would be happy to calculate the funding amount applicable to you in a personal consultation.

Can I also apply for funding for the charging infrastructure alone?

Infrastructure funding is linked to the procurement or conversion of vehicles as part of the program. It is part of an overall fleet electrification project.

Where can I find the official documents for the funding application?

The official documents such as checklists, templates and the SME definition are provided by Project Management Agency Jülich (PtJ). As part of our consultation, we will navigate you to the correct documents.

Further links

Federal Ministry of Transport provides information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in passenger transport and the support of charging infrastructure.

Project promoter Jülich offers detailed information and application documents of funding for climate-friendly commercial vehicles and the conversion of existing vehicles.

Federal government provides comprehensive information on its initiatives and funding programs for the transport revolution and climate protection.

European Commission explains the official definition of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which is relevant for claiming the funding bonus.