Converting a car to electric: The funding of up to 80% of the additional costs ran until 2024
Converting a car to electric: The funding of up to 80% of the additional costs ran until 2024
Up to 425 kilometers of range after an upgrade – without the cost of a new vehicle. Rising diesel prices speak in favor of electrifying your existing fleet; the federal KsNI funding ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned.
The topic briefly and concisely
The KsNI funding of up to 80% of the additional costs for converting commercial vehicles to electric drive ran until 2024. New funding calls are not planned.
Retrofitting in the sense of circular economy is often more economical than purchasing new, as it reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and preserves expensive special builds.
The EU Clean Vehicles Directive already requires public authorities to procure zero-emission vehicles, which increases the pressure to act.
The electrification of commercial vehicle fleets is no longer an option for municipalities and companies, but a strategic necessity. High operating costs, strict climate regulations due to the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, and looming bureaucracy require pragmatic solutions. Instead of expensive new vehicles, the targeted conversion of cars to electric offers an economically and emission-wise superior alternative. This approach preserves the value of your proven special bodies and reduces running costs. The federal government's KsNI subsidy covered up to 80% of the additional costs; it ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned. Learn how to plan this transition and sustainably optimize your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Pressure from regulations and costs: Why the transformation is strategically wise now
The operation of diesel fleets is increasingly becoming an economic burden. The EU Clean Vehicles Directive is already forcing public contracting authorities to meet fixed quotas for emission-free vehicles today. By the year 2025, 45% of newly procured buses and a significant proportion of trucks must be low-emission or emission-free. At the same time, rising CO₂ prices and volatile fuel costs are putting a strain on your balance sheet. Many companies underestimate that a conversion can extend the service life of an expensive special body by up to ten years. Converting an existing vehicle in terms of the circular economy is the answer to these challenges. This allows you to not only react to regulatory pressure, but also to act in an economically and emission-wise forward-looking manner.
Your 4-point plan for the electrification of your fleet
A successful transition requires a clear process. With this checklist, you secure your advantages and correctly assess the funding situation for your project:
Conduct a needs analysis: Analyze the daily routes, typical payloads, and idle times of your vehicles. Our experts will support you in defining the exact requirement profile for a conversion with up to 500 km range.
Assess funding: The KsNI funding directive of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) covered up to 80% of the conversion costs and 40% of the charging infrastructure. The directive ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned – a realistic assessment is crucial.
Verify profitability (TCO): Consider the Total Cost of Ownership, i.e., the total operating costs. A conversion reduces expenditures for maintenance and energy by over 50% compared to diesel. We will create a transparent TCO analysis for your fleet for you.
Select an implementation partner: Choose a certified partner who covers the entire process from pickup through the ten-day conversion to delivery and service. HEERO offers you a comprehensive, single-source solution.
This structured approach transforms a regulatory obligation into an economic opportunity.
Funding pots in detail: What the 80 percent subsidy included until 2024
The funding landscape has long been a decisive driver for fleet modernization. The KsNI funding guideline of the BMDV, which ran until 2024, granted substantial subsidies for the transition. The guideline subsidized the conversion of a diesel vehicle to a pure electric drive with up to 80% of the additional investment costs. Parallel to this, the construction of the necessary charging infrastructure at the depot was funded with 40% of the costs. This funding was directly linked to the requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive, which obliges public fleet operators to procure clean vehicles. Since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned; already approved projects will be fully funded. Early planning remains the key to being able to use funds for projects such as a subsidized e-bus conversion at all. Which programs are currently open we clarify on a case-by-case basis.
Cost comparison: Retrofitting outperforms new purchase in total operating costs (TCO)
The decision between retrofitting and purchasing new should be based on a solid TCO analysis. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes all costs over the entire lifespan of a vehicle, not just the purchase price. While a new electric van causes high initial costs, the retrofitting is often 30-40% cheaper. The biggest advantage lies in preserving the value of your custom bodies, which would be lost when purchasing a new vehicle. The operating costs of a retrofitted electric vehicle are drastically lower: electricity is more price-stable than diesel and maintenance costs decrease, as many wearing parts of the internal combustion engine are eliminated. Studies show that an electric van is already up to 25% cheaper per kilometer to operate today than a comparable diesel. Your investment in retrofitting therefore often pays off after just three to five years.
Technical specifications: More range and power than you expect
Modern conversion solutions exceed the performance values of many production electric vehicles. HEERO relies on standardized, powerful components for maximum practical utility. Here are the key specifications of our solutions:
HEERO eTransporter: Up to 500 km range for distribution transport.
HEERO DTE-Sprinter: Up to 425 km range, ideal for trade and logistics.
HEERO Tourer (minibus 9 Pax): Up to 400 km range with a 110/96 kWh battery (gross/net).
HEERO low-floor minibus: Up to 300 km range, equipped with a 137/115 kWh battery and a DC charging power of up to 165 kW.
Standard fast charging (DC): All models charge with up to 135 kW, enabling an 80% charge in about 40 minutes.
These values demonstrate that a professional electric conversion means no compromises on usability. Instead, you receive a vehicle that is optimized for the requirements of your business.
Charging infrastructure and lifespan: Sustainable investments in the future
A well-thought-out charging infrastructure is the backbone of any electric fleet. In addition to the vehicles, the KsNI funding directive also covered the installation of charging stations on your company premises. The Building Electromobility Infrastructure Act (GEIG) additionally creates the legal framework to accelerate the expansion. However, the greatest sustainability lies in continued use. Converting a car to electric is circular economy in practice. You prevent a functional vehicle from being scrapped and save a significant share of the CO₂ emissions that would be generated during the production of a new vehicle. This allows you to significantly extend the service life of your fleet and conserve resources. This strategy not only secures your mobility, but also strengthens your image as a responsible company.
More useful links
The KfW offers detailed information on four funding options for sustainable mobility for companies in Germany.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport provides comprehensive information on climate protection in transport, particularly on commercial vehicles with alternative drivetrains.
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) offers an information sheet on the KsNI funding program, which covers vehicle retrofitting.
The L-Bank provides information on financial assistance for BW-E-Trucks (electric trucks in Baden-Württemberg).
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure delivers important information on the topic of commercial vehicles and charging infrastructure.
