The German Federal Ministry for Transport (BMV) has announced a new funding round to support public transport operators across the country in transitioning their bus fleets to zero emission technology. The initiative, part of Germany's federal funding program for alternative drive systems in public buses, includes support for battery-electric and hydrogen-powered buses, as well as retrofitting conventional buses. This program, which began in 2021 and has already facilitated the procurement of approximately 3,500 zero-emission buses, aims to further accelerate the adoption of cleaner transport options. However, concerns arose earlier in 2024 when the funding program was paused, potentially jeopardizing the conversion of 10,000 buses to zero emission technology, as highlighted by the VDV. To address this, a new funding program has been launched, managed by NOW GmbH and Projektträger Jülich (PtJ), with support from the German Recovery and Resilience Plan and the European Union's Recovery and Resilience Facility. Public transport operators can submit project proposals until August 31, 2025, with evaluations based on various criteria such as CO₂ savings, electrification ratios, and financial need. The funding conditions remain consistent with previous rounds, covering a significant portion of additional costs for zero-emission vehicles and infrastructure. Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder emphasized the significance of the initiative in promoting clean mobility and achieving climate goals, highlighting the importance of sustainable technologies and a robust public transport system in delivering modern, eco-friendly transport solutions.