In the framework of today’s BMDV Conference on Climate-Friendly Buses, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is taking stock of the funding programme: ‘Alternative drive systems for passenger transport buses’. The BMDV has supported the market ramp-up of emission-free buses since 2021 by funding vehicle and infrastructure procurement as well as feasibility studies, taking a neutral approach both in terms of technology and applications.
Dr. Volker Wissing, Minister for Digital and Transport said: “We are putting around 3,500 climate-friendly buses on the roads. This not only reduces greenhouse gases in cities and municipalities, it also strengthens the industry. Our goal is to create a fast market for e-buses, resulting in growing supply and reduced prices for all transport operators that will switch over the coming years.”
Around 250 municipal and private transport companies are currently being supported by the funding across Germany. This will put a total of around 3,500 electric buses with batteries and fuel cells onto the roads over the next few years. 500 buses (almost 15 per cent) are already being used by transport companies, with 2,500 vehicles ordered from manufacturers.
The funding programme is therefore moving from the funding phase to the implementation phase. The ramp-up of buses is visibly apparent since 2024. The number of e-buses will more than double by 2028. The vehicles make an active contribution to climate protection in transport and can save around 2.6 million tonnes of CO2 over their service life 1. Around 1.2 billion euros are allocated for the implementation of the programme at present. All ongoing projects will continue as planned. The federal government will assume up to 80 per cent of additional investment costs incurred by the transport operators compared to conventional vehicles.
Bus funding is a part of the 2050 Climate Action Plan
The funding programme: ‘Alternative drive systems for passenger bus transport’ is part of the Federal Government’s 2030 Climate Action Programme for the implementation of the 2050 Climate Action Plan. The funds for this measure are made available under the German Recovery and Resilience Plan (DARP) through the European Recovery and Resilience Facilities (ARF) in the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument.
Further information can be found here:
Overview of funded companies (PDF)
1 Analysis based on information provided by funding recipients from their application