European Commission approves 70 million euro public support scheme for electric buses and charging infrastructure

The European Commission approved Germany’s 70 million euro scheme to encourage public transport operators to replace conventional diesel buses with electric or plug-in hybrids running on renewable electricity under state aid rules, the Commission writes in a press release. EU Commissioner Margarethe Vestager called the plans a “positive example of how to fight global warming”. Public transport operators which plan to buy more than five electric or plug-in-hybrid buses can apply for support for up to 80 percent of the “additional investment costs” through the German environment ministry. This includes all costs that arise when buying an e-bus instead of a diesel bus, including the necessary infrastructure. Electric buses help to keep the air in inner cities clean and reduce noise pollution, while contributing to climate protection, said environment minister Barbara Hendricks. The ministry will initially provide 35 million euros support, but plans to “increase the amount soon”.

Find the EU press release in English here and the BMUB press release in German here.

See the CLEW dossier German carmakers and the Energiewende for background.