Funding of measures for climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable vehicles as well as sustainable mobility services in public local passenger transport
Grants from the State of Lower Saxony (with funds from the ERDF) for the acquisition of new climate-friendly low-floor buses in public transport. Funding rate up to 60% (transition region) or 40% (more developed region) plus 30% state contribution. Applications can be submitted online at any time.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of the acquisition of new motor vehicles with climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable drive systems for public transport (ÖPNV) in Lower Saxony, in order to strengthen sustainable mobility options and improve the CO₂ balance in the transport sector.
Eligible expenses
- Acquisition of new climate-friendly motor vehicles
Non-eligible expenses
- Acquisition of used vehicles
Eligible to apply
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Transport companies according to § 42 PBefG operating scheduled services in Lower Saxony
- Vehicle holding companies in association with transport companies
- Authorities according to § 4 NNVG
- New vehicles with a maximum mileage of 10,000 km
- At least 51% deployment in scheduled services
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Documents required for application
- Application via NBank customer portal
- Proof of operational performance (vehicle kilometers)
- Manufacturer confirmation of drive system
- Proof of low-floor technology
- Proof of compatibility with local transport plan
- Financing plan/overall financing proof
- Proof of scoring/quality criteria
- Proof of replacement procurement (in case of replacement)
Evaluation criteria
- Achieving the required scoring point value
- Climate and environmental impact of the propulsion system
- Route deployment and operational performance
Description
Funding Initiative for Climate-Friendly Low-Floor Buses in Public Transport in Lower Saxony
Within the framework of the ERDF program, the State of Lower Saxony continuously provides non-repayable grants for the procurement of new, climate-friendly low-floor buses in public transport (ÖPNV). The funding rate is up to 60% of eligible expenses in transition regions or up to 40% in more developed regions, each plus a 30% state contribution. Companies of all sizes, including transport companies pursuant to § 42 PBefG, vehicle holding companies in conjunction with transport companies, as well as authorities according to § 4 NNVG, can apply for funding at any time via the NBank customer portal. The aim of the initiative is to strengthen sustainable mobility offerings, reduce CO₂ emissions in the transport sector, and modernize the vehicle fleet.
The funding requires various technical, operational, and economic prerequisites. Only new vehicles with a maximum mileage of 10,000 km, which are used at least 51% in scheduled service and achieve at least 30,000 vehicle kilometers annually (or 20,000 km for vehicles ≤ 8.50 m), are eligible. Replacement procurements require proof of the mileage of the old vehicle. Further criteria include low-floor technology, a manufacturer’s confirmation of the environmentally friendly drive system, and compatibility with local transport and air quality plans. A secured financing plan and achieving a scoring value of at least 60 points complete the requirements. Evaluation focuses particularly on climate and environmental impact, route deployment, and operational performance. All required documentation – from manufacturer confirmations to timetable simulations and overall financing proof – must be submitted electronically. The commitment of private and municipal actors to low-emission, barrier-free public transport vehicles is thus sustainably supported.
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