Electric vehicle providers: What the KsNI funding achieved up to 2024 and what applies to your fleet today
Electric vehicle providers: What the KsNI funding achieved up to 2024 and what applies to your fleet today
Up to 425 km range after an upgrade – without the cost of a new vehicle. When electrifying your commercial vehicle fleet, cost-effectiveness is what counts today: The KsNI funding ran until 2024 and has been discontinued.
The topic briefly and concisely
The federal KsNI funding subsidized the conversion of commercial vehicles with up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024; since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned.
The retrofit of existing diesel vehicles (DTE) is often more economical than purchasing new ones due to lower total cost of ownership (TCO) and the maintenance of specialized superstructures.
The Clean Vehicles Directive mandates a quota of 38.5% for clean light commercial vehicles in public procurement by 2025, which increases the pressure to act.
As a provider of electric vehicles and conversions, we see daily the challenges that fleet managers face: rising diesel prices, stricter environmental regulations, and the pressure to operate sustainably. Many hesitate due to high investment costs and concerns about practicality. But the solution does not necessarily lie in buying new. With conversion, you can keep your proven vehicles, protect their value, and at the same time correctly classify the government subsidies for your project. This guide shows you the four crucial steps to electrify your fleet in a planned and economical manner.
Your 4-step checklist for fleet electrification
Switching to electromobility seems complex, but it can be structured into four manageable steps with a clear plan. In light of the changed funding situation, pragmatic action is crucial. As a specialized manufacturer of electric vehicles, we guide you through the entire process.
Conduct a needs analysis: Analyze your current driving profiles, routes, and payloads for at least 14 days. This allows you to identify the vehicles best suited for conversion.
Check funding opportunities: The KsNI funding directive of the BMDV covered up to 80% of the additional costs for vehicle conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure. It ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned.
Evaluate cost-effectiveness (TCO): Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Take into account the savings in energy, maintenance, taxes, and CO₂ levies, which often reach 33%.
Choose a partner for implementation: Choose a provider that not only delivers vehicles, but offers a complete solution comprising conversion, charging infrastructure, and service. A professional conversion solution protects your investments in special bodies.
This structured approach not only clarifies the funding situation but also ensures the smooth transition of your fleet.
Funding programs in review: 80% of additional costs
The funding landscape in Germany has changed significantly for the decarbonization of fleets. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) funded the purchase and conversion of commercial vehicles over several years. The KsNI guideline was the central instrument here.
It provided for a funding rate of up to 80% of the additional investment costs for converting a diesel vehicle to an electric drive. The reference value was the additional cost compared to a comparable diesel, not the entire purchase price. This regulation made electrification economically attractive even for fleets with expensive special bodies that were to be retained. The KsNI funding ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned, already approved projects will be fully financed. We clarify which programs are currently open on a case-by-case basis. Electromobility thus remains a business calculation.
Cost comparison: Why retrofitting beats buying new
The total cost over the service life of a vehicle, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), is the decisive key figure for fleet operators. While the acquisition of a new e-transporter incurs high costs, the DTE conversion significantly lowers this hurdle. A study shows that e-transporters have operating costs of only 10 cents per kilometer, compared to 15 cents for a diesel.
Here is an exemplary cost analysis:
Investment: The conversion of an existing Sprinter is significantly cheaper than purchasing a new e-vehicle, especially if expensive bodies are already in place.
Operating costs: The energy costs for electricity are up to 80% lower than for diesel.
Maintenance: An electric drive has fewer wear parts, which can reduce maintenance costs by almost 90% over five years.
Subsidies: The KsNI subsidy covered up to 80% of the additional costs of a conversion; it ran until 2024, and new funding calls are not planned.
By analyzing the Total Cost of Ownership, it becomes clear that conversion is not only sustainable but also the economically smarter option.
Technology in Focus: Range and Charging Power for Everyday Work
The practical suitability of electric commercial vehicles depends on range and charging capacity. As an experienced provider of electric cars, we equip our vehicles with powerful technology. Our standard battery has a gross capacity of 110 kWh and a net capacity of 96 kWh.
This enables impressive ranges for various electric commercial vehicles:
HEERO eTransporter: up to 500 km
HEERO DTE-Sprinter (conversion): up to 425 km
HEERO Tourer (minibus): up to 400 km
HEERO eBus: up to 300 km
Thanks to a DC fast-charging capacity of up to 135 kW (or 165 kW for the medium-low-floor bus), the battery is charged to 80% again in about 30 minutes. This performance ensures that your vehicles spend more time on the road than at the charging station. The circular economy through the continued use of proven vehicle chassis is a central advantage of our DTE solutions.
Legal Framework: The Clean Vehicles Directive as a Driver
In addition to economic incentives, legislators are also creating facts. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), obligates public contracting authorities to procure clean vehicles. By the end of 2025, 38.5% of new light commercial vehicles must comply with the defined emission limits.
From 2026, the regulation will become even stricter: 38.5% of the fleet must then be completely emission-free. This regulation affects not only municipalities directly, but also all companies that execute public contracts. The transition to locally emission-free vehicles is therefore no longer an option, but a necessity to remain competitive. Switching early secures you a decisive market advantage.
Your advantage with HEERO: Partnership for an economic future
The electrification of your fleet is a strategic decision for greater efficiency and sustainability. With our expertise as a specialized provider for electric cars and DTE conversions, we offer you a practical and funding-optimized solution. We focus on preserving your proven vehicles and make the transition to utility vehicles with electric drive simple and profitable.
Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions and receive your grant roadmap, including classification of the KsNI funding, which covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024.
Button: "To the free analysis"
free of charge · non-binding · uncomplicated
More useful links
Federal Government provides information on increasing the purchase premium for electric cars.
Federal Ministry of Transport provides an article on electromobility in Germany.
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides information on the Electromobility funding program.
The Funding Database contains entries on funding programs for electric commercial vehicle applications and infrastructures.
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure provides information on funding programs in the field of electromobility.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides statistics on new vehicle registrations.
Statista provides statistics on the stock of trucks with alternative drive systems in Germany.
The Federal Environment Agency provides information on fleet target values.
