Image: Volvo TrucksOver four years, the German Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) has earmarked a total of one billion euros for the funding scheme. The ministry aims to ensure sufficient charging infrastructure for heavy battery-electric commercial vehicles to support market ramp-up. It also highlights the technology’s potential, noting that battery-electric trucks can ‘make the transport sector considerably more climate-friendly and resilient to fossil energy crises.’With the newly introduced funding guideline, the BMV is implementing one of the key measures of Germany’s Master Plan for Charging Infrastructure 2030, which aims to significantly increase the number of charging points suitable for commercial vehicles in public areas and depots. In addition to the charging infrastructure itself, funding also covers necessary grid connections, battery storage systems, and charging load management systems.In the first round, the ministry will make 200 million euros—one-fifth of the total budget— available through three separate funding calls. “Beyond 2026, we will launch further funding calls over the four-year term of the scheme, adapting them to market developments,” the Ministry stated. “In the competitive selection process, the key criterion will be the amount of funding per kilowatt of installed charging capacity.”The first three funding calls are summarised as follows:Funding call for non-publicly accessible charging infrastructure for small and medium-sized enterprises: This call focuses on charging points for company-owned vehicles or a restricted user group. Applications can be submitted from 5 June 2026. Approval of the flat-rate funding will be granted in the order of application receipt, with no selection process. Each charging point must have a minimum capacity of 50 kW, with every installed kilowatt eligible for 500 euros in net funding.Funding call for non-publicly accessible charging infrastructure for all enterprises: This call also targets charging points for company-owned vehicles or a restricted user group. Applications can be submitted from 26 May to 7 July 2026. Approval will follow the conclusion of the competitive selection process. Each charging point must have a minimum capacity of 50 kW, with every installed kilowatt eligible for 500 euros in net funding.Funding call for publicly accessible charging infrastructure: This call focuses on charging points at rest areas, charging hubs, or public transhipment sites. Applications can be submitted from 26 May to 7 July 2026. Approval will follow the conclusion of the competitive selection process. Each charging point must have a minimum capacity of 100 kW, with every installed kilowatt eligible for 500 euros in net funding.Companies interested in the funding can participate in a free online event on 19 May to learn about the conditions and ask questions. The event is organised by the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure in collaboration with Projektträger Jülich. The registration link is provided at the end of this article. Detailed webinars on the three funding calls are also planned for 2 and 3 June.“Heavy road freight transport is indispensable for Germany as a business location—yet it faces the challenge of becoming climate-friendly. With our billion-euro funding programme, we are now creating the conditions for a rapid expansion of charging infrastructure and making it easier for haulage and logistics companies to switch to battery-electric commercial vehicles,” said Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (CDU). “We support companies looking to equip their depots with charging points, as well as investors constructing publicly accessible charging infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles. One thing is clear: electromobility in heavy road freight transport can only succeed with a high-performance infrastructure—and this is precisely where our funding comes into play.”In parallel to the charging infrastructure funding, the BMV also supports hydrogen refuelling stations and hydrogen-powered trucks. The application deadline for the funding call launched in January was originally set to end in May but has recently been extended to the end of June due to “exceptionally high nationwide interest in the funding call”.bmv.de, now-gmbh.de (registration 19 May; both in German), ptj.de (details; in German)
