Umrüstung der Busflotten: Weniger Geld für E-Busse - Branche warnt vor Folgen

The shift towards alternative propulsion in urban bus fleets is facing potential delays due to a significant reduction in subsidy funding for electric bus purchases, according to the transport industry. The German government plans to cut subsidies for electric buses from around €403 million to approximately €130 million next year, as outlined in the 2027 budget draft.

This drastic reduction threatens to hinder the achievement of European targets for converting existing diesel bus fleets to zero-emission vehicles, according to a PWC analysis commissioned by industry associations. The analysis indicates that such a cut would weaken the value chain and put German manufacturers, particularly Daimler Buses and MAN, at a disadvantage.

With electric buses being considerably more expensive than their diesel counterparts, the industry is exploring alternative strategies such as extending existing diesel fleets or purchasing new diesel buses instead of electric ones. Some companies are even considering importing electric buses from non-EU countries, primarily China.

Despite lower operating costs due to reduced energy expenses, the high upfront costs of electric buses, including battery purchases, infrastructure development, and vehicle prices, pose a significant challenge to the transition. Currently, around 6,000 zero-emission buses are operating in urban areas across Germany, representing about 12% of the nationwide bus fleet.

While electric buses accounted for nearly half of new bus registrations in 2023, the European Union aims for this percentage to reach at least 65% by 2030. The pace of change varies across regions, with some major cities like Mannheim, Freiburg, and Karlsruhe leading the way with over 50% of their bus fleets already being battery electric.