How much is available?
The requirements and conditions for awarding de minimis funding are set out in a regulation. The general threshold value was previously set at 200,000 euros. Since 01.01.2024, this regulation has been replaced by EU Regulation 2023/2831. The threshold was adjusted to 300,000 euros in three years to better reflect inflation.
Central register
In addition, from 01.01.2026, member states must record all de minimis aid granted by them in a central register at national or EU level. The following must be entered there: Aid recipient, aid amount, date of granting, granting authority, aid instrument and economic sector concerned. This is intended to make it easier for the EU Commission to monitor the granting of aid and reduce the administrative burden for companies.
What is funded?
Under the "Environmental protection and safety" funding program, eligible companies can receive grants for measures in various categories. The possibilities of receiving funding for certain measures are not fixed, but depend on whether they meet the objectives of the funding program in practice. It is advisable to work with specialists/agencies that are familiar with the evaluation of such funding programs. There are probably several hundred ways to implement and apply for vehicle-related measures. Examples include expenses for the paid use of secure parking spaces in Germany or expenses for safety equipment/professional clothing for driving and loading personnel. However, the purchase of telematics systems, software for displaying, evaluating, managing and archiving digital tachograph data is also eligible for funding. Both new and used tires are also eligible, provided they meet certain requirements, for example with regard to reduced rolling noise.
Realize ideas
BALM has compiled examples of eligible measures in a so-called positive list (in German). https://www.balm.bund.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Foerderprogramme/2020/DM/DM_08_Positivliste.html
If you study this list carefully, you will discover many ideas that you have always wanted to implement for your vehicles and drivers. and much more. This small list alone perhaps already shows how diverse the support program is. However, measures that are prescribed by laws, ordinances or administrative regulations are not eligible for funding.
Clever promotion for clever solutions
By the way: Sliding roof systems, such as TipperRoof from Edscha TS for dump trucks, can also be subsidized under certain conditions. All measures can only be carried out or ordered after approval by the authorities. And once again: If the pot is empty, it is very difficult to obtain funding.
