Bus funding 2025: How to secure an 80% subsidy for E-bus retrofitting and procurement
The new circular on bus funding for 2025 is here and paves the way for massive investment grants. Transport companies and municipalities can now be reimbursed for up to 80% of the additional costs for electrifying their fleets. This is the opportunity to circumvent diesel driving bans and significantly reduce operating costs.
The topic briefly and concisely
The federal government will support the acquisition and conversion of buses to electric drives in 2025 with up to 80% of the additional investment costs.
Eligible applicants are transport companies and municipalities; project outlines must be submitted by August 31, 2025.
The HEERO D2E retrofit is fully eligible for funding and conserves budget and resources through the principle of circular economy.
Rising operating costs, impending diesel driving bans, and ambitious climate goals present fleet operators with enormous challenges. The federal government has created a decisive solution for 2025 with the revision of the "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Passenger Transport." This call for funding enables you to cover up to 80% of the additional investment costs for switching to electric drives. Heero is your partner to take full advantage of this opportunity—whether through the acquisition of new E-Sprinters or the patented D2E retrofitting of your existing vehicles. We show you how you can not only protect the environment but also take the profitability of your fleet to a new level.
Overview: The Federal Funding for Alternative Drives 2025
The federal government has launched a new funding call for 2025 to accelerate the transition to clean bus fleets. Based on the directive valid until the end of 2025, transport companies and municipalities can submit project outlines until August 31, 2025. The aim is to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector and improve air quality in cities. Since 2021, around 3,500 buses have already been funded with a volume of 1.2 billion euros. The funding explicitly covers both the purchase of new vehicles and the retrofitting of existing ones, making it an economically attractive option for fleet operators. The allocation is carried out in a competitive process, where criteria such as CO2 reduction and electrification rates play a central role. This paves the way for a future-proof and sustainable mobility.
Funding requirements and quotas: How to maximize your grant
To receive the maximum funding, applicants must meet clear conditions. A key requirement is the exclusive use of electricity from renewable sources for the funded vehicles and the charging infrastructure. The funding quotas are designed to be highly attractive:
Up to 80% of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion to battery or fuel cell-based drives.
Up to 40% of the costs for the necessary charging, refueling, and maintenance infrastructure.
For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), an increase in the funding quota by up to 20 percentage points is possible.
Feasibility studies are also subsidized up to 50% to strategically plan the transition.
Heero supports you in ensuring the eligibility of your investment, from vehicle configuration to proof of green electricity usage. With our expertise in alternative drives for buses, we ensure that your application meets all criteria for maximum funding.
The D2E conversion: A smart alternative to buying new
The funding guideline recognizes the conversion of diesel vehicles as an equivalent option to new purchases. This is particularly an economically superior solution for fleets with expensive special structures, such as those used in many Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. Instead of buying a completely new vehicle for over 150,000 Euros, you are able to retain the value of your existing vehicle through the D2E conversion. Our patented conversion takes only 10 days and transforms your diesel Sprinter into a powerful electric transporter with a range of up to 425 km. This approach to the circular economy not only conserves your budget but also valuable resources. The funding rate of 80% also applies to the total conversion costs, making the investment unbeatable. Learn more about the benefits of the E-Bus conversion and funding.
The path to promotion: Application procedure in 2 stages
The application process is structured in two stages to ensure efficient and targeted allocation of funds. Heero accompanies you as a solution-oriented partner throughout the entire process. Here are the crucial steps:
Submission of the project outline: A project outline must be submitted via the "easy-Online" portal by August 31, 2025. This outline describes the project, the expected CO2 savings, and the funding needs.
Evaluation and selection: The project management agency Jülich (PtJ) evaluates the submitted outlines based on criteria such as funding efficiency and climate protection contribution.
Invitation to submit a full application: Positively evaluated projects are invited to submit a formal funding application.
Application review and approval: After the final review, the funding notice is issued, which forms the basis for the binding order of vehicles or the commissioning of the conversion.
With our checklist for the e-bus funding application, we ensure that no deadline is missed and no detail is overlooked.
Focusing on Cost-Effectiveness: TCO Benefits Through Retrofitting and Support
State funding is the catalyst, but the true strength of electrification lies in the long-term reduction of total operating costs (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO). An E-Sprinter converted by Heero reduces energy costs per 100 kilometers by up to 70% compared to a diesel. Additionally, costs for vehicle tax and CO2 levies are eliminated, while maintenance costs decrease by at least 50%. In combination with the 80% funding, the investment in a D2E conversion often pays off in less than 4 years. For logistics companies, craft enterprises, and municipalities, this means a predictable and sustainable relief of the budget. Our experts are happy to calculate your individual TCO savings in a personal consultation on fleet electrification.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO
The current Bus Funding 2025 offers a unique opportunity to make the transition to electromobility highly profitable. With a subsidy rate of 80% on new purchases and retrofitting, the course is set for an emission-free future. HEERO, as a technology leader, offers you not only proven e-vehicles based on Sprinter, but also an economically and ecologically superior alternative through the D2E conversion. We combine performance, sustainability in terms of circular economy, and significant cost advantages. As your innovative partner, we accompany you from grant consultation to integration into your fleet. Take advantage of the opportunity now and shape the future of your fleet with us. Request personal advice or book a free everyday test to experience the HEERO performance for yourself.
More useful links
Renewable Mobility provides detailed information about the funding program for the purchase of electric buses in public transport.
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV) informs in an article about the increased support for electric buses in local public transport.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) makes available the final report of a accompanying study on e-buses in local public transport as a PDF.
The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMDV) offers comprehensive information about the funding program to strengthen local public transport.
The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg (ifeu) presents details of its accompanying study on the promotion of electric buses in local public transport.
FAQ
What is the exact subsidy rate for bus retrofitting?
The subsidy rate is up to 80% of the eligible expenses. In a retrofitting, these are the total environmental protection-related investment costs, that is, the complete cost of the retrofit.
Which vehicles does Heero retrofit?
Heero specializes in the electrification of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter commercial vehicles. Our patented D2E retrofit (Diesel-to-Electric) is ideal for operators of Sprinter fleets, especially those with expensive special builds.
How long does a D2E retrofit take at Heero?
Our highly innovative and standardized process enables the complete conversion of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from diesel to electric in just 10 working days.
Do I also get funding for charging stations at the depot?
Yes, the funding guidelines also include grants for the necessary, non-public charging and maintenance infrastructure with a subsidy rate of up to 40%.
What happens after I submit my project outline?
After submitting by the deadline of August 31, 2025, the outlines will be evaluated by the project supervisor Jülich. If evaluated positively, you will be asked to submit a formal, detailed funding application.
Where can I find the official circular on bus funding as a PDF?
The official basis is not a classic circular, but the "Guideline for the Promotion of Alternative Drives for Buses in Passenger Transport," which was published in the Federal Gazette. Current calls for funding with deadlines are communicated by the ministry and project supervisor.
