Würth shows the way: How to convert your Mercedes Sprinter fleet to electric and save costs in the process.
Würth shows the way: How to convert your Mercedes Sprinter fleet to electric and save costs in the process.
Rising diesel prices and looming driving bans are putting fleet operators under pressure. Retrofitting your proven Mercedes Sprinter to electric drive, as practiced at Würth, offers an economically and emission-wise superior solution. Find out how to preserve your special bodies and reduce total cost of ownership by up to 30%.
The topic briefly and concisely
The conversion of a Mercedes Sprinter based on the Würth model protects expensive special structures and avoids high new acquisition costs.
A converted E-Sprinter from HEERO offers 245 horsepower and up to 425 km WLTP range, providing higher performance than many standard E-transporters.
Lower energy, maintenance, and tax costs, as well as exemption from tolls, can reduce total operating costs (TCO) by up to 28% compared to diesel.
For fleet managers and managing directors, modernising the fleet is a central challenge. Legal requirements, sustainability targets and economic pressure require the transition to emission-free drives. However, a complete new purchase of electric vans often means the loss of expensive special bodies that have been optimised over years. HEERO offers a pragmatic solution with the patented conversion. We convert your existing Mercedes Sprinter to a powerful electric drive, thus securing your investments, while you significantly reduce operating costs and secure the future viability of your fleet for the next 10 years.
The Würth model: Why retrofitting outperforms new purchases
Large fleet operators like Würth are faced with the task of making over 9,000 vehicles future-proof. Instead of decommissioning tried-and-tested vans with expensive shelving systems and special tools, the company is relying on a smart mix that also includes the electrification of the existing fleet. The decisive advantage is obvious: The valuable bodies, often costing over €20,000, are preserved. A conversion transforms a 3-year-old diesel Sprinter into a modern electric vehicle and extends its life cycle by at least another 8 years. This circular economy approach conserves resources and capital. Instead of investing in completely new vehicles, the existing substance is modernized in a targeted manner. This avoids not only high acquisition costs but also the long delivery times of up to 18 months for new electric vans. The decision to convert is therefore a strategic investment in efficiency and sustainability.
Technical superiority: More performance and range for practice
Concerns regarding electric commercial vehicles often relate to performance and range. HEERO refutes these prejudices with impressive performance data. A Sprinter converted by us has a peak output of 245 hp (180 kW), clearly outperforming most production electric vans. The basis for this is our battery system with a capacity of 110 kWh, which enables a practical WLTP range of up to 425 km. This means that even demanding daily operations for craft businesses or logistics companies are easily feasible without intermediate charging. At a DC fast charging station, the battery charges at up to 135 kW in around 45 minutes from 10% to 80%. This performance ensures that your field service vehicles are ready for action without compromise. The conversion not only preserves the body, but raises vehicle performance to a new level.
Focus on cost-effectiveness: significantly reduce total operating costs (TCO)
Converting an existing Sprinter is not only sustainable, but also extremely economically attractive. An analysis of the total cost of ownership (TCO) shows the enormous potential for savings. While a diesel Sprinter incurs operating costs of around €14.40 per 100 km, these are only around €6.00 for a converted electric Sprinter. This corresponds to a reduction in pure energy costs of almost 60%. In addition, there are further financial benefits:
Lower maintenance costs: The elimination of oil changes, exhaust system maintenance, and clutch wear reduces service costs by up to 50%.
Tax advantages: Electric vans are exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years.
GHG quota: Annual income of several hundred euros through the sale of CO2 certificates.
Toll exemption: Until at least the end of 2025, the truck toll is waived for electric vehicles, which saves several thousand euros per year for high mileages.
These factors mean that the total cost per kilometer is up to 28% lower than for a comparable diesel vehicle. The investment in a conversion therefore often amortizes after just 3 to 4 years.
Special structures protect and secure investments
For many companies, especially in trade and service, the vehicle body is the actual capital. An individually adapted shelving system, a mobile workshop, or a cooling facility can incur costs of €30,000 and more. Buying a new e-transporter would render this investment worthless. The HEERO conversion is the only solution that fully protects this capital. We focus exclusively on the drivetrain and battery integration. The entire body of your vehicle remains 100% untouched and immediately usable. This approach is particularly valuable for:
Craft businesses: Mobile workshops with expensive tool and material cabinets.
Logistics companies: Vehicles with special sorting or cooling systems.
Municipalities: Flatbed trucks or vehicles for green space maintenance with specific attachments.
Service fleets: Technician vehicles with permanently installed measuring technology and spare parts storage.
By choosing to retrofit your workshop vehicle with a shelving system, you not only avoid a loss in value but also months of waiting time for a new, identical fit-out. This is how you secure the continuity and efficiency of your business operations.
Funding opportunities and legal framework conditions in retrospect
The transition to electromobility has been supported by the state, even though the funding landscape is constantly changing. Most recently, there were attractive incentives for commercial fleet operators. The funding program "Climate-friendly commercial vehicles and infrastructure" (KsNI) explicitly subsidized the acquisition and conversion of commercial vehicles to alternative drives until 2024. Companies could receive up to 80% of the additional costs compared to a conventional vehicle as a grant; no new funding calls have been planned since August 2024. HEERO actively supports you during the application process and helps to secure the maximum funding amount for your project. In addition, you benefit from new declining balance depreciation rules for electric vehicles that will apply from July 2025. These regulations make the investment even more attractive from a tax perspective. In view of threatening diesel driving bans in over 50 German cities, the conversion is not only an economic but also a strategically necessary decision to secure your mobility.
Your advantage with HEERO: A pragmatic and partnership-based approach
The decision for electrification is more than just buying a vehicle. HEERO sees itself as your strategic partner for a future-proof fleet. Our patented conversion process takes only about 10 working days and is carried out by certified specialists. We offer a comprehensive solution ranging from initial consultation and TCO analysis to support with funding applications. You receive a vehicle that convinces in performance and range and is perfectly tailored to your needs. Our solution is based on the principle of the circular economy and combines emission reduction with clear economic benefits. We are the leading provider for the certified conversion of Mercedes commercial vehicles. Experience the future of urban mobility and increase the efficiency of your fleet. Request your personal consultation now or book an everyday test at zero cost and convince yourself of the performance of a HEERO E-Sprinter.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers general information on the topic of electromobility.
Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM) provides information on the Climate Protection and Mobility (KsNI) funding program.
Umweltbundesamt publishes a press release confirming the climate advantage of electric cars.
Umweltbundesamt offers a press release on the economic evaluation of electromobility.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides statistics on monthly new vehicle registrations.
Fraunhofer ISI offers a press release on locally emission-free trucks and falling costs.
Strategy& (PwC) publishes a press release on the electrification of truck transport.
Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena) provides the dena Monitoring Report 2024.
