Car brand E: What the funding covered up to 80% for your fleet until 2024
Up to 425 km range after a conversion, and until 2024 up to 80% of the additional costs were eligible for funding through the KsNI. The federal KsNI funding ran until 2024; no new calls for funding are planned. We will show you how to still set the right course for the electrification of your commercial vehicle fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
The funding round for electric commercial vehicles with up to 80% subsidy ran until 2024; since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned.
The Clean Vehicles Directive legally obliges public buyers and their service providers to procure zero-emission vehicles.
The conversion from diesel to electric (DTE) conserves resources, secures existing vehicle structures, and is often more economical than buying a new one.
Rising diesel prices, strict climate targets and the bureaucracy involved in funding applications present fleet managers with enormous challenges. Many hesitate when choosing the right car brand for their electric vehicles, as the investment is high and practical suitability is crucial. This article is your solution-oriented plan: We will guide you through the legal requirements such as the Clean Vehicles Directive, explain the most recently applicable federal funding conditions and show you a clear 4-point plan for the economical and sustainable modernization of your fleet. Learn how, with the right strategy – whether retrofitting or a new vehicle – you can not only save costs, but also secure the future viability of your company.
Deadline August 31, 2025: Why there is now pressure to act for fleets
The funding landscape for the electrification of fleets has changed. The federal KsNI funding round ran until 2024; no new calls for funding are planned since August 2024. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) supported the transition with up to 80 percent of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion of vehicles. Additionally, the construction of the necessary charging infrastructure was subsidized at 40 percent. This generous funding significantly reduced the initially high costs and accelerated amortization. Already approved projects will be fully funded; new applications are no longer possible through this program. The high demand in past funding calls shows that many companies took advantage of this opportunity. Anyone converting today calculates primarily on the basis of the Total Cost of Ownership and checks on a case-by-case basis which programs are open for their own project. The next section highlights the regulatory drivers that additionally make the transition inevitable.
Legal Framework: The Clean Vehicles Directive as a Wake-Up Call
In addition to the expired subsidy period, legislation is also increasing the pressure on public and many private fleet operators. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented in Germany by the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), prescribes mandatory minimum quotas for the procurement of low-emission vehicles. In the first reference period until the end of 2025, for example, 38.5 percent of new light commercial vehicles had to be "clean". For buses under public contract, the quota was as high as 45 percent, half of which had to be completely emission-free. This regulation affects not only municipalities directly, but also their service providers within the framework of public contracts. A violation of these quotas can have not only legal but also reputational consequences. The transition to locally emission-free vehicles is therefore no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. The following action plan shows how you can approach this transformation in a structured way.
Your 4-point action plan for fleet electrification and funding
A structured approach is the key to correctly assessing the funding situation and making the right technology choice. Follow this four-step checklist: 1. Conduct a needs analysis: Record the daily mileage and downtime of your current diesel fleet. This creates the database for selecting the appropriate battery capacity and range, such as the up to 500 km of the HEERO eTransporter. 2. Compare total cost of ownership (TCO): Do not only look at the purchase price. A Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis takes into account lower energy, maintenance, and tax costs and shows that electric vehicles are often cheaper than diesel over their lifespan. 3. Make a technology decision: Check whether a Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) or a new vehicle makes more sense for you. Existing special bodies can be preserved through innovative conversion solutions, which saves significant costs and supports the principles of the circular economy. 4. Assess funding: Assemble all documents for a funding application. Until 2024, the KsNI funding covered up to 80 percent of the additional costs for vehicles and DTE conversions, as well as 40 percent for the charging infrastructure; new funding calls are not planned. A specialized partner can provide crucial support here. With this plan, you are well prepared. But how exactly does the economic efficiency translate into numbers?
Cost-effectiveness in Focus: The TCO Advantage of Electric Commercial Vehicles
The higher acquisition costs for electric vehicles are often perceived as a hurdle. However, looking at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) paints a different picture. Studies show that electric trucks are already cheaper over their service life than comparable diesel models, today or in the near future. Operating costs are significantly lower: electricity is cheaper per kilometer than diesel, and electric drivetrains have fewer wear parts, which reduces maintenance costs by up to 50 percent. The vehicle tax is waived for electric vehicles until at least 2030. The BMDV funding covered up to 80 percent of the additional investment expenses via the KsNI directive and largely compensated for the initial price disadvantage; it ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned. Therefore, the TCO calculation is now a stronger deciding factor in the economic feasibility of the transition. Choosing the right vehicle technology is the next decisive factor.
Technology that convinces: Range and charging performance for everyday work.
Practicality determines the success of electrification. HEERO vehicles are designed for demanding commercial use. Here are the facts on range and charging capacity: HEERO eTransporter: Up to 500 km range for long tours. HEERO DTE-Sprinter: Up to 425 km after conversion, ideal for existing fleets. HEERO ePritschenwagen: Up to 400 km, perfect for trade and municipalities. HEERO low-floor buses: Up to 300 km, sufficient for most urban routes. HEERO Tourer (9-seater): Up to 400 km for passenger transport. All models (except for the medium low-floor bus) use a 110 kWh gross battery (96 kWh net) and charge at up to 135 kW. The medium low-floor bus offers even more capacity with 137 kWh (115 kWh net) and up to 165 kW charging capacity. Charging to 80 percent is thus possible in around 30 to 40 minutes. These performance figures make the transition to electric Sprinters and other models a reliable solution. But it is not just about new technology, it is also about a new, more sustainable approach.
More than just electric: Circular economy through retrofitting
Why scrap a proven vehicle when only the drive system is outdated? Retrofitting is a prime example of a functioning circular economy. Instead of producing a completely new vehicle, the lifecycle of an existing Mercedes commercial vehicle is extended. This not only saves up to 60 percent of the CO₂ emissions generated during the production of a new vehicle, but also conserves valuable resources. Particularly in the case of expensive special bodies, such as those common in municipalities or the trades, retrofitting is the superior solution in terms of both economy and emissions. Your proven vehicle receives a second, locally emission-free life – with full performance and state-of-the-art technology. This approach combines economic rationality with emission reduction. Start your personal funding analysis to examine this path for your fleet. Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions and receive your subsidy roadmap, including the classification of the KsNI funding, which covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024. To the free analysis free of charge · non-binding · uncomplicated
More useful links
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides the official funding guidelines for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The KfW provides information on various funding opportunities for companies in the field of sustainable mobility.
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) offers detailed information on the funding program Climate Protection and Sustainability in Transport (KSNI).
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on climate protection in the transport sector.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides a dossier on the topic of electromobility.
