On July 7, 2025, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMV) published a new call for funding to support the conversion of bus fleets to alternative drive systems. The aim is to support transport companies in procuring low-emission vehicles and establishing the necessary infrastructure. Eligible for funding are, among others, fuel cell buses, conversions of conventional vehicles, as well as refueling and maintenance facilities.
Project outlines can be submitted via the online portal easy-Online until August 31, 2025. Projects will be selected through a competitive process. Evaluation criteria include CO2 savings, the context of use, the electrification rate, and the funding requirement.
According to Federal Minister for Digital and Transport Patrick Schnieder, the call for funding is a key component of the coalition agreement. “The new call for funding will bring more climate-neutral buses onto the roads – and across the board,” said Schnieder. This will contribute to achieving climate targets while also creating modern mobility at the local level.
The measure is based on the draft federal budget for 2025. Approval of the projects is subject to the parliamentary adoption of the budget act in fall 2025.
According to the ministry, since the introduction of the funding guideline in 2021, around 3,500 buses with alternative drive systems have been approved, more than 1,000 of which are already in operation. Over their entire service life, these vehicles are expected to save around 2.8 million metric tons of CO2. The implementation of the funding program is carried out by the National Organisation Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology (NOW) and Project Management Jülich (PtJ). Parts of the funding come from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) and are co-financed by the European Recovery and Resilience Facility (ARF).
An online seminar on the application process will take place on July 15, 2025, from 2 to 3 p.m. Further information on the funding program is available on the websites of NOW and PtJ.
