A new funding call from the BMDV is making the electrification of your bus fleet more economical than ever before. Find out all the details in the exclusive webinar.
Increasing operating costs and strict emission requirements are challenging public and private transport. Electrification is the answer, but investment barriers are high. A new funding call from the Federal Ministry of Transport dated July 7, 2025 fundamentally changes this and offers a subsidy of up to 80% — including for innovative retrofitting.
The transformation to e-mobility in public transport is no longer an option, but a necessity. With the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), quotas for zero-emission vehicles will rise again from 2026. At the same time, the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) has recognized the enormous importance of the changeover and is supporting transport companies with a new, attractive funding program. This webinar on July 15, 2025 is your decisive step to make optimal use of available funds for your fleet and set the course for an economic, sustainable future.
A free webinar on July 15, 2025 provides information about the BMDV's new funding call for e-bus procurement.
Up to 80% of the additional costs for new e-buses and, for the first time, for the conversion of existing vehicles (D2E) will be funded.
The decisive deadline for submitting project outlines is August 31, 2025.
The pressure on fleet operators is constantly growing. The European Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) already requires 45% of all new buses purchased to be “clean”, half of which are completely emission-free. From January 2026, these quotas will tighten to 65% and 32.5%, making strategic planning for the next 18 months decisive. At the end of 2024, only 3,375 e-buses were in use in Germany, which accounts for just over 10% of the entire city bus fleet. This gap between current status and future requirements highlights the urgent need for action. The federal government has set the goal that every second city bus should be electric by 2030. The new funding call is the central instrument for achieving this goal and making the transformation economic for companies and municipalities. The time to make the transition is now in order to meet regulatory requirements and remain competitive.
A decisive online seminar will be held to provide you with direct and practical information about the new opportunities. Mark this date for yourself: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 14:00 to 15:00. In this compact hour, experts from NOW GmbH will tell you everything you need to know about the new BMDV funding call. Registration is free of charge and essential for all fleet managers and purchasing decision makers. Good preparation is crucial. The webinar will answer the following key questions:
Which vehicles and measures are specifically eligible for funding?
What are the funding rates for new vehicles and conversions?
What steps are necessary for a successful application?
What are the most important deadlines to be observed?
Participating in this webinar gives you the decisive advantage of preparing your funding application quickly and correctly. Take advantage of this opportunity to be informed directly from the source and answer your specific questions. This makes the path to funding predictable and transparent.
The new “Guideline for Promoting Alternative Bus Drive Systems in Passenger Transport” is technology-open and practice-oriented. The focus is on the procurement of buses powered by batteries and fuel cells. A key innovation is that the conversion of existing diesel vehicles is also being explicitly promoted. This is an acknowledgment of the principle of circular economy and saves valuable resources. Our patented D2E conversion Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is therefore also fully eligible for funding. In addition to the vehicles themselves, the necessary infrastructure is also subsidized. This includes:
1. The construction of charging infrastructure at the depot.
2. The purchase of mobile chargers.
3. The installation of hydrogen refueling systems.
4. Necessary adjustments to the workshop infrastructure.
This broad funding base ensures that not only the vehicles, but the entire ecosystem for e-operation are financially supported. The right charging infrastructure is a critical success factor. This makes the transition to a holistic and future-proof solution for your company.
The financial support is substantial and significantly lowers the investment hurdle. The federal government takes over up to 80% of additional investment costs for the purchase of an e-bus or a conversion compared to a reference diesel vehicle. A subsidy of up to 40% of investment costs granted. Even higher funding rates are possible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A HEERO medium-low-floor bus with a net list price of up to 450,000€ is eligible for funding under the program. As a result of these large subsidies, the total operating cost accounting (TCO) is massively shifting in favour of electric mobility. The funding not only makes the switch ecologically sound, but also highly attractive from an economic point of view. Find out the details of the funding rate. This makes the modernization of your fleet predictable and profitable.
The path to funding follows a clear but time-critical process. The decisive first step is to submit a project outline. The deadline for submitting these sketches via the EASY-online funding portal is August 31, 2025. It is therefore essential to start the necessary preparations immediately after the webinar on July 15. Between 2021 and 2024, the BMDV has already funded around 3,500 electric buses for around 360 transport companies, which underlines the effectiveness of the program. Early and careful preparation of application documents is the key to success. With the right information from the webinar and a clear strategy, you can ensure that your project meets all formal requirements. The application process is clearly defined and, with the right support, uncomplicated. This is how you secure your chance to receive attractive subsidies.
HEERO offers you two routes to electric mobility, both of which benefit from the current funding program. In addition to our highly efficient new vehicles with up to 300 km range Is especially our D2E conversion an economically and ecologically clever alternative. Many municipalities and companies, from logistics companies to craft businesses, have invested in expensive special structures based on Sprinter. Instead of losing these values with a new purchase,
We maintain the vehicle and only replace the drivetrain. This circular economy approach is now being promoted directly by the federal government and protects your previous investments. The conversion is not only sustainable, but often also a faster and more cost-effective solution. The funding for the conversion makes this option even more attractive. We would be happy to advise you which solution is best for your specific requirements.
The current funding landscape offers a unique opportunity to decisively advance the electrification of your bus fleet. With subsidies of up to 80% for vehicles and 40% for infrastructure, the transition is becoming more economically attractive than ever before. The webinar on July 15, 2025 is the perfect starting point to learn all the details and optimally prepare your application by the deadline of August 31, 2025. HEERO is at your side as an innovative partner, whether with high-performance new vehicles or the unique D2E conversion, which has also been subsidized. We combine ecological responsibility with pragmatic and economic solutions. Request your personal consultation now or book an everyday test for free.
You can register free of charge for the online seminar on July 15, 2025 from 14:00 to 15:00. Registration takes place via the link provided by NOW GmbH. Timely registration is recommended.
Both our HEERO mid-low floor e-minibuses (new vehicles) and our patented D2E conversion (diesel-to-electric) for existing Sprinter chassis are fully eligible for funding under the new directive.
After submitting your project outline on time by August 31, 2025, the project promoter will review the documents. If the evaluation is positive, you will be required to submit a formal
Funding application invited.
The focus is on buses in public transport. The HEERO class M3 (A) eMini buses for scheduled services, for example, are explicitly mentioned. The exact vehicle categories are defined in the Directive.
Yes, we're here to support you. As part of a free consultation, we analyse your requirements, configure the appropriate vehicle or conversion solution and provide you with the necessary technical data for your funding application.
The D2E conversion protects your investments in expensive and proven special structures. It is often available more quickly, more cost-effective and, thanks to the continued use of the chassis, is a prime example of a functioning circular economy, which is now also being rewarded by funding.
Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on the funding guidelines for alternative drives in passenger transport, which are relevant for the electrification of bus fleets.
NOW GmbH coordinates and manages various funding programs for sustainable mobility on behalf of the federal government, including those for the purchase of electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure.
Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) provides information and analyses on the development of public transport in Germany, including relevant funding landscapes for the electrification of bus fleets.
Federal Environment Agency (UBA) provides information on the environmental impact of transport and the benefits of electric mobility to reduce emissions, which underlines the relevance of the funding programs.
