The whitepaper was originally developed to provide municipalities and transport operators with practical funding alternatives after the discontinuation of the federal funding program for buses with alternative drives. These alternatives remain relevant — but the situation has changed significantly: At the end of April 2026, the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) published a new funding guideline that aims to bring around 1,500 electric buses onto Germany’s roads with up to €500 million in funding.
However, the new federal funding program is demanding. It is structured as a competitive procedure: project outlines must be submitted via the easy-Online portal by 21 July 2026 and will be evaluated based on climate impact, funding efficiency, and implementation concept. Not every project outline will lead to a full application. Those who submit without proper preparation risk missing out.
That is exactly why our whitepaper remains essential: It explains the new federal funding program in a structured and comprehensive way — while also covering all relevant state-level programs and EU funding opportunities. This enables public transport operators and private bus companies to make informed, strategic decisions.
Our whitepaper “M3E Funding Guide: Electric Buses and Charging Infrastructure” (Version 5, May 2026) provides a compact, fully updated overview of all available funding opportunities and shows how you can transition your bus fleet economically and sustainably.
The new 2026 federal funding programme explained in detail – including the three funding pillars, funding rates of up to 70% for vehicles and 40% for infrastructure, deadlines, application requirements, and the two-stage competitive procedure.
Overview of funding programmes in nine German federal states – Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland, Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg: Which states provide financial support for buses with alternative drives?
Eligible drive technologies & investment grants – battery-electric buses (BEV), fuel cell buses (FCEV), and plug-in hybrids (PHEV): Which technologies are eligible, and what funding amounts are available?
Charging and refuelling infrastructure – for the first time, the federal programme explicitly supports depot, charging, and hydrogen infrastructure. The guide explains what is eligible for funding — and what is not.
1
Keep track of the new federal funding programme and all relevant state-level programmes.
2
Make use of funding rates of up to 70% under the federal programme and up to 90% in selected state-level programmes — depending on the programme and vehicle class.
3
Gain concrete decision-making guidance for your procurement strategy.
We would be happy to send you the white paper as a printed copy by post.
Simply write to us at marketing@m3e-gmbh.com or call us at +49 30 403672121.
Discover our other whitepapers and benefit fully from our knowledge.
Subscribe to our newsletter