Funding for charging infrastructure and electric buses 2025: Covering up to 80% of the costs
The electrification of commercial vehicle fleets represents a significant investment. However, with the right strategy, you can benefit considerably. The current funding round for electric buses and charging infrastructure offers grants of up to 80%, making the transition more economically viable than ever before.
The topic briefly and concisely
Project outlines for E-bus funding can be submitted until August 31, 2025.
The funding covers up to 80% of the additional costs for electric buses/conversions and 40% for the charging infrastructure.
Both the purchase of new vehicles and the retrofitting of existing diesel vehicles are eligible for funding.
For municipalities and companies in Germany, the transition to emission-free commercial vehicle fleets is a central challenge, driven by increasing operational costs and stricter environmental regulations. The federal government actively supports this change with targeted programs. The "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives of Buses in Passenger Transport" is a crucial lever in this. It significantly lowers the investment hurdles for the acquisition of electric vehicles and the development of the necessary charging infrastructure. Heero shows you how to optimally utilize this opportunity and future-proof your fleet.
Overview of the funding landscape 2025
The year 2025 marks a pivotal moment for the transport transition in Germany. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) sends a strong signal with the "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Public Transport." Since 2021, around 3,500 buses have already been approved, which will save 2.8 million tons of CO₂ over their lifetime. For the period from 2021 to 2025, the ministry is providing 500 million euros solely for the expansion of publicly accessible charging infrastructure. These funds come partly from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) and are co-financed through the EU facility NextGenerationEU. The combination of vehicle and infrastructure funding is key to an economical fleet electrification. These programs are specifically designed to cushion the higher acquisition costs of e-vehicles and the investments in charging infrastructure. This makes the transition manageable and profitable for logistics companies and municipal enterprises. The current funding period offers the opportunity to set the course for a sustainable and cost-effective future.
The BMDV bus funding: What is specifically funded?
The core of the current funding round is the support for the reduction of emissions in passenger transport. Eligible applicants are transport companies and other users from the bus industry. The funding rate for the purchase or conversion of buses to battery or fuel cell drives amounts to up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a diesel reference vehicle. For the necessary charging infrastructure, a grant of up to 40% of the total costs is provided. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can even receive a bonus of up to 20 percentage points under certain conditions. The following investments are eligible for funding:
Purchase of battery buses, including trolley buses.
Purchase of fuel cell buses.
Conversion of conventional buses to alternative drives, which is particularly relevant for fleets with expensive special designs.
Establishment of the necessary non-public charging infrastructure for operations.
Construction of hydrogen refueling infrastructure.
Specific maintenance infrastructure for the new drive types.
This broad funding basis enables a comprehensive planning of the fleet conversion. Learn more about the benefits of an E-bus conversion with funding and how you can maintain existing values. The next step is the timely submission of project outlines.
Deadlines and application procedures: How to secure funding
The application process is structured in two stages and is competitive in nature to identify the most effective projects. A new funding call was launched on July 7, 2025. The crucial deadline for submitting project outlines is August 31, 2025. Submissions are to be made digitally via the online portal easy-Online. The submitted outlines will be evaluated based on criteria such as CO₂ reduction, electrification rate, and funding requirements. After a positive evaluation, applicants will be invited to submit a formal funding application. Approval of the projects will take place after the adoption of the federal budget law in autumn 2025. Careful preparation is essential, as our checklist for the funding application shows. The implementation of the program will be coordinated by the project sponsor Jülich (PtJ) and NOW GmbH. The time until the deadline should be used for detailed project planning.
Focus on charging infrastructure: The foundation for e-operation
A powerful charging infrastructure is the backbone of any e-fleet. The BMDV directive explicitly promotes the establishment of non-public charging points with up to 40% of the investment costs. This includes both the hardware and the costs for the grid connection. The planning of the charging infrastructure must meet the specific requirements of the operation, such as depot charging overnight or opportunity charging on the route. The EU also supports the expansion through the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), which will provide over 578 million euros for charging infrastructure in heavy-duty transport by June 2025. An intelligent charging plan not only reduces investment costs through subsidies but also lowers operating costs through optimized charging cycles. The correct sizing of charging power and the choice of location are crucial for the efficiency of the overall system. The subsidy for battery buses is inextricably linked to infrastructure planning. This investment ensures the long-term performance of your electrified fleet.
Maximize efficiency through conversion and promotion
Electrification does not have to mean purchasing an entirely new fleet. Especially for municipalities or craft businesses with expensive specialized vehicles based on Sprinter vehicles, conversion is an economically superior alternative. The D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric) by Heero not only conserves resources in terms of the circular economy but also your budget. The funding guidelines support the conversion with the same rate of up to 80% of the additional costs as a new purchase. This way, you can extend the lifespan of your proven and already depreciated vehicles while significantly lowering the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). You protect your original investment in the specialized structure and benefit from lower energy and maintenance costs. The combination of value preservation and a high 80-percent funding rate makes conversion the pragmatic and solution-oriented choice. Heero offers a comprehensive solution for this from a single source.
Your advantage with HEERO: Partnership for the future
HEERO is your partner for the successful electrification of your commercial vehicle fleet. We offer not only highly innovative new electric vehicles and the patented D2E conversion based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, but also guide you through the entire process. From the analysis of your needs, through detailed funding advice, to the implementation of the appropriate charging infrastructure. Our solutions are tailored to the needs of logistics companies, municipalities, and craft businesses, and convince with performance and reliability. We support you in the creation of your project outline and help you secure the maximum charging infrastructure e-bus funding 2025. Use our expertise to fully exploit the ecological and economic advantages of electromobility. HEERO stands for a pragmatic and economical implementation of the mobility transition. Request your personal consultation now or book a daily test free of charge and experience the performance of our vehicles for yourself.
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in passenger transport and the mobility transition in Germany.
The Project Management Jülich (PtJ) coordinates the implementation of funding programs on behalf of the BMDV and supports applicants in project execution.
NOW GmbH is the National Organization for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology and is also involved in coordinating funding programs for alternative drives.
The European Commission provides information on the EU facility NextGenerationEU, from which funds for the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) and the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF) are co-financed.
FAQ
What does the E-Bus Charging Infrastructure Grant 2025 include?
The program, based on the BMDV guideline, subsidizes the purchase and conversion of buses with alternative drives (up to 80% of additional costs) and the associated charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure (up to 40% of costs). The deadline for project drafts is August 31, 2025.
Can I as a private company also benefit from the grant?
Yes, legal entities under private law and economically active natural persons are eligible to apply. This includes private companies such as logistics firms or large craft businesses provided they have an establishment in Germany.
What are the advantages of conversion over new purchase?
Conversion protects your investment in existing specialized vehicles, is often more cost-effective than a new vehicle, and is supported with the same high rate of 80%. You extend the lifespan of proven vehicles and act in the spirit of the circular economy.
How does Heero support me in applying?
Heero offers comprehensive consultation starting with the analysis of your needs and supports you in creating a promising project draft for the funding application. We help you clearly present the technical and economic advantages of your project.
What documents do I need for the project draft?
For the draft, you need a detailed project description, a calculation of eligible expenses, and an assessment of the expected CO₂ savings. The project sponsor Jülich provides templates and checklists for this.
Are there any further grants besides federal funding?
Yes, besides federal programs, there are often also funding programs at the state level that can sometimes be combined. Additionally, the EU offers further resources over the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Facility (AFIF), particularly for heavy transport charging infrastructure.
