Value retention instead of new purchase: retrofit your van with expensive interior fittings to electric in a way that maintains its value.
Your highly specialized craftsman transporter is your most important tool, but rising diesel costs and impending driving bans threaten its profitability. Buying a new one with another expensive upgrade is a waste of capital. There is a smarter solution that fully preserves the value of your vehicle while significantly lowering operating costs.
The topic briefly and concisely
Protect investments of over €50,000 in special fittings by retrofitting instead of purchasing new.
Reduce total operating costs (TCO) by up to 25% through lower energy, maintenance, and tax burdens.
Take advantage of government grants of up to 80% of the conversion costs and avoid impending diesel driving bans.
Many fleet operators in craftsmanship or logistics face a dilemma: their Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are equipped with customized, expensive interior fittings often valued at over €50,000, perfectly tailored to their operations. At the same time, diesel bans in city centers and skyrocketing operating costs make these vehicles an economic risk. The acquisition of a new e-transporter and the renewed, costly conversion are not a sustainable option. Heero offers the strategic solution with the patented D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric): a value-preserving electric conversion for your transporter with expensive interior fittings, making the vehicle future-proof and protecting your investment.
The investment dilemma: Why a new purchase often destroys capital
A transporter used as a mobile workshop or service vehicle often has an interior design whose value exceeds that of the base vehicle. Shelving systems, workbenches, or special equipment can quickly cost €50,000 or more. In light of diesel driving bans, such as those already in effect in Stuttgart and Darmstadt for Euro 5 vehicles, this highly specialized asset suddenly becomes unusable. Purchasing a new one means not only investing in a new electric vehicle but also having to recreate the entire proven equipment for many thousands of euros. This double capital expenditure destroys operational assets and is economically indefensible. The rising CO₂ prices, which will further increase diesel costs starting in 2025, exacerbate this problem. This form of capital destruction can be avoided with a thoughtful strategy.
The D2E conversion: A second, electric life for your special transporter
HEERO breaks this costly cycle with a highly innovative solution: the patented D2E conversion. Instead of disposing of your proven vehicle, we replace the diesel powertrain with our powerful electric drive. Your vehicle, including the complete structure and fittings, remains fully intact. Within just 10 days, your Sprinter becomes a future-proof E-transporter with a practical range of up to 425 km. The key advantage is maintaining your investment in the expensive interior build-out. You continue to use your familiar work environment but benefit from all the advantages of electromobility. With our approach, you can maintain your workshop van conversion and continue to use it sustainably. This method not only conserves your budget but also valuable resources.
TCO analysis: How retrofitting outperforms purchasing new equipment economically
A pure consideration of the acquisition costs is too short-sighted; the total operating costs (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) are crucial. A retrofit has a clear advantage here. The TCO for retrofitted e-transporters can be up to 25% lower over their usage period than for a new diesel. The reasons for this are diverse and directly measurable.
Government funding: Current programs subsidize the retrofit with up to 80% of the electrification-specific additional costs, drastically reducing the initial investment.
Lower energy costs: The costs per 100 kilometers are significantly lower with electricity than with diesel, whose price continues to rise due to CO₂ pricing.
Reduced maintenance effort: Oil changes, exhaust system repairs, and AdBlue are completely eliminated, reducing workshop costs by over 50%.
Tax advantages: E-vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax in Germany until at least 2035.
These factors make the continued use of your existing vehicle the most economically sound decision to achieve your sustainability goals in your fleet. The economic advantage is complemented by the ecological one.
Circular economy in practice: resource conservation as a competitive advantage
The decision to retrofit with value-preserving electric systems is an active contribution to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a working vehicle with a CO₂ backpack of about 20 tons from production, you extend its lifecycle by many years. This approach, which is promoted by the federal government in its national strategy, significantly reduces the consumption of primary raw materials. The refurbishment and reuse of components can reduce the environmental impact compared to new production by up to 60%. For companies such as logistics firms or tradesmen, this becomes a credible argument in sustainability communication and meets the increasing demands of clients. By utilizing existing vehicles, you act ecologically and economically foresightedly. However, this sustainable approach does not come with functional compromises.
Uncompromising performance for the demanding workday
Concerns about the range and performance of electric transporters are widespread, but with HEERO technology, they are unfounded. Our conversion is designed to meet the real requirements of professionals. The range of up to 425 km covers the vast majority of daily operations for craftsmen and delivery services effortlessly. A crucial advantage is the ability to operate tools and devices with up to 11 kW directly from the vehicle battery. This makes the workday noticeably more efficient.
Silent operation: Work early in the morning or late at night in residential areas without disturbing residents.
Unrestricted access: Drive into all low-emission zones and city centers without restrictions due to diesel bans.
Full torque from the start: Benefit from confident acceleration even when fully loaded.
Mobile power supply: Use your transporter as a mobile power bank on the construction site and save yourself the need for separate generators.
This capability makes the electrified mobile workshop the superior solution. The path to these advantages is a clearly defined and transparent process.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO – Economy and Innovation united
The value-preserving electric conversion for a van with expensive interior fittings is the strategically best response to the challenges of the mobility transition. You protect your six-figure investment, significantly reduce operating costs, and position your company as a sustainable pioneer. With the Heero D2E technology, you combine the proven quality of your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an emission-free, high-performance, and future-proof drive. Do without expensive new purchases and rely on the intelligent continued use of your valuable existing vehicles. Heero is your partner for pragmatic and economically superior electrification. Request your personal consultation now or book a free trial to experience the performance yourself.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a general introduction to the topic of electric freight vehicles (E-trucks).
Statista offers statistics, data, and market analyses on the topic of electric mobility.
The National Control Center for Charging Infrastructure informs about commercial vehicles and initiatives to promote alternative drives.
The Federal Ministry for Transport provides information on commercial vehicles with alternative drives and climate protection in transport.
The Rhineland-Palatinate Energy Agency reports on the growth of the stock of electric commercial vehicles in Germany.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides a press release on the vehicle stock in Germany.
EnBW provides information on charging infrastructure for E-trucks.
FAQ
For which vehicles is the HEERO D2E conversion suitable?
Our D2E conversion is specialized for the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter series. It is ideal for all variants with expensive or complex superstructures and interiors, such as workshop vehicles, refrigerated transporters, motorhomes, or sales vehicles, where value retention is the priority.
How long does the conversion of my transporter take?
The entire conversion process in our plant is highly efficient and usually takes only 10 working days. This minimizes the downtime of your vehicle and ensures its rapid reintegration into your fleet.
What guarantees are there on the conversion?
HEERO offers comprehensive guarantees on the electric drivetrain and installed components, comparable to the new vehicle manufacturers' warranties. For details on the warranty conditions, please contact our consulting service.
Does the conversion affect the payload of my transporter?
We design our conversions so that the impact on the payload is minimal and the practicality remains fully intact. The exact payload after conversion depends on the specific model and equipment and will be communicated transparently in advance.
Do I get help applying for funding?
Yes, our team actively assists you in identifying suitable funding programs and in the application process. We help you secure the maximum funding for your vehicle conversion to make the investment as economical as possible for you.
Can I have my converted vehicle serviced anywhere?
The maintenance of the electric drivetrain is carried out by HEERO or our certified service partners. The remaining maintenance work on the base vehicle (brakes, chassis, etc.) can still be carried out by any qualified workshop.
