Webinar on E-Bus funding on July 15, 2025: What the grant covered for your fleet
Rising operating costs and strict emission regulations present challenges for public and private local passenger transport. Electrification is the answer, but investment barriers are high. The funding call by the Federal Ministry of Transport on July 7, 2025, fundamentally changed this and also offered grants for innovative retrofitting; the subsequent call in 2026 ended on July 21, 2026.
The topic briefly and concisely
A free webinar on July 15, 2025, provided information about the BMDV's funding call at that time for the procurement of e-buses.
Most recently, up to 70% of the additional costs for new electric buses and also for the conversion of existing vehicles were funded, otherwise 55%.
The crucial deadline for submitting project outlines is August 31, 2025.
The transformation to e-mobility in public transport is no longer an option, but a necessity. With the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), the quotas for emission-free vehicles rose again in 2026. At the same time, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) recognized the enormous importance of the transition and supported transport companies with its own funding program. This webinar on July 15, 2025, classified how the funds available at the time could be used for your fleet and how to set the course for an economical, sustainable future.
Legal framework and market dynamics: Why action needs to be taken now
Pressure on fleet operators is constantly growing. The European Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) initially mandated that 45% of all newly procured buses must be "clean", with half of those being completely emission-free. Since January 2026, stricter quotas of 65% and 32.5% respectively have been in effect, making strategic planning remain crucial. At the end of 2024, only 3,375 electric buses were in use in Germany, which accounts for only a good 10% of the entire city bus fleet. This gap between the current status and future requirements highlights the urgent need for action. The German federal government has set a target that by 2030, every second city bus should run on electricity. The 2026 funding call was the central instrument for this and ended on July 21, 2026. The transition remains necessary in order to meet regulatory requirements and remain competitive.
Knowledge Advantage: The Webinar on E-Bus Funding from July 15, 2025
To inform you directly and practically about the opportunities at that time, an online seminar took place. The date was: Tuesday, July 15, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. In this compact hour, experts from NOW GmbH explained everything essential regarding the BMDV's funding call at that time. Registration was free of charge and aimed at all fleet managers and purchasing decision-makers. Good preparation is crucial. The webinar answers the following key questions:
Which vehicles and measures were specifically eligible for funding?
How high were the funding rates for new vehicles and conversions?
What steps were necessary for a successful application?
What were the most important deadlines that had to be observed?
Participating in this webinar provided the decisive advantage to prepare the funding application quickly and correctly. Those who were informed directly from the source could clarify their specific questions. This made the path to funding predictable and transparent.
Focus of the promotion: new vehicles, conversions, and infrastructure
The "Directive on the promotion of alternative drives for buses in passenger transport" was designed to be technology-neutral and practice-oriented. The focus was on the procurement of buses with battery and fuel cell drives. A crucial innovation was that the conversion of existing diesel vehicles was also explicitly funded. This is a recognition of the principle of the circular economy and conserves valuable resources. Our patented conversion for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter was therefore also fully eligible for funding. In addition to the vehicles themselves, the necessary infrastructure was also subsidized. This includes:
The construction of charging infrastructure at the depot.
The acquisition of mobile chargers.
The installation of hydrogen refueling stations.
Necessary adaptations to the workshop infrastructure.
This broad funding base ensured that not only the vehicles, but the entire ecosystem for electric operation was financially supported. The right charging infrastructure is a critical success factor. This turns the transition into a holistic and future-proof solution for your company.
Financial advantage: Up to 80% of the additional investment costs are secured.
The financial support was substantial and significantly lowered the investment barrier. The federal government recently covered up to 70% of the additional investment costs in the case of a low level of electrification, otherwise 55%, for the purchase of an electric bus or a conversion compared to a reference diesel vehicle. A subsidy of up to 40% of the investment costs was granted for the charging and refueling infrastructure. Even higher funding rates were possible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A HEERO mid-low-floor bus with a net list price of up to €450,000 was eligible under the program. These high subsidies shifted the total cost of ownership (TCO) calculation massively in favor of electromobility. The funding made the switch not only sensible in terms of emissions, but also highly attractive economically. Find out about the details of the funding rate. This made the modernization of your fleet plannable and profitable.
The application process: Important deadlines and steps for funding
The path to funding followed a clear but time-critical process. The crucial first step was the submission of a project outline. The deadline for submitting these outlines via the funding portal easy-Online has expired. It was 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 approximately 360 transport companies, which underscores the effectiveness of the program. Early and careful preparation of the application documents was 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 was uncomplicated with the right support. The most recent bus call ended on July 21, 2026; a follow-up call has not been announced.
The HEERO solution: How conversion maximized your funding opportunities
HEERO offers you two paths into electromobility, both of which were taken into account in the federal funding program. In addition to our highly efficient new vehicles with a range of up to 300 km, our conversion is a particularly clever alternative in terms of economy and emissions. Many municipalities and companies, from logistics firms to craft businesses, have invested in expensive special bodies based on the Sprinter. Instead of losing these assets when buying a new vehicle, we preserve the vehicle and only replace the drivetrain. This circular economy approach was directly funded by the federal government and protects your past investments. The conversion is not only sustainable, but often also the faster and more cost-effective solution. With the funding for the conversion, this option became even more attractive. We will be happy to advise you on which solution is best for your specific requirements.
More useful links
Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on funding guidelines for alternative drive systems 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 acquisition of electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure.
Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen (VDV) offers information and analyses on the development of public transport in Germany, including relevant funding landscapes for the electrification of bus fleets.
Umweltbundesamt (UBA) provides information on the environmental impacts of transport and the benefits of electromobility in reducing emissions, emphasizing the relevance of the funding programs.
