Protect the value of your special structures: The conversion of the base vehicle as a strategic advantage.
Your custom-built vehicle is worth thousands of euros, but is the diesel base vehicle becoming a burden? A diesel-to-electric conversion secures your investment and makes your fleet future-proof.
The topic briefly and concisely
Protect the value of your expensive special setups by retrofitting the base vehicle from diesel to electric, instead of investing in new equipment.
Take advantage of the government KsNI funding with an 80% grant for the conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure for applications submitted by August 31, 2025.
A retrofit reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) through significant savings in energy, maintenance, and taxes, and is an active contribution to the circular economy.
Companies and municipalities face a dual challenge: Rising operating costs and strict environmental regulations burden the fleets. Especially with vehicles that have expensive specialized equipment, such as refrigerated containers or workshop facilities, the question arises as to how to protect the value of these investments when the diesel base vehicle reaches its limits. The solution lies not in expensive new purchases but in strategic retrofitting. This article shows you how by electrifying your existing base vehicle, you can not only protect the value of your expensive specialized equipment but also benefit from substantial grants and significantly reduce your total cost of ownership. Act now, as the critical funding deadline ends on August 31, 2025.
Growing hurdles for diesel fleets with special superstructures
The pressure on fleet operators is growing daily. Diesel prices have shown high volatility over the past 24 months, making budget planning difficult. At the same time, the EU is tightening the requirements for public procurement with the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD). By the end of 2025, 45% of newly procured buses must be 'clean', and from 2026 the quota will increase to 65%. For many companies whose expensive specialized builds are mounted on diesel chassis, this means an imminent loss of value. Your investment of often over 50,000 euros in a custom build is tied to a base vehicle that could soon become uneconomical or even unusable. This situation requires a pragmatic, value-preserving solution that goes beyond simple new purchases. The electrification of the existing fleet is the direct way to tackle these challenges.
Your 4-point action plan for securing the value of your structures
To protect the value of your special structures, a structured approach is required. Instead of waiting for rising costs and driving bans, you can retain control with a clear strategy. This 4-point plan serves as a pragmatic checklist for your decision.
Conduct a stock analysis: Identify all vehicles with high-quality structures whose leases expire in the next three years or those that have a high residual value.
Check profitability (TCO): Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for continuing operation with diesel compared to a diesel-to-electric conversion. Consider fuel, maintenance, taxes, and incentives.
Secure deadlines and incentives: Note the application deadline of August 31, 2025, for the current funding program. Timely planning is crucial to secure the 80% subsidy.
Evaluate certified retrofit partners: Choose a partner who not only masters the technology but also retains the vehicle manufacturer warranty and has proven experience with your vehicle model.
Implementing this plan begins with a detailed analysis of the financial framework, particularly the available funding pools.
Use funding pots optimally: Secure 80% grant for the conversion
The federal government is massively supporting the transition to clean drives. Through the guideline "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), you can receive substantial grants. The funding rate is 80% of the additional investment costs for converting a vehicle to electric drive. This means that the additional costs compared to a diesel equivalent are largely covered by the state. Additionally, the acquisition of the necessary charging infrastructure is subsidized with 40% of the expenses. The deadline is crucial: Applications for this attractive funding must be submitted by August 31, 2025. Given the processing times, it is advisable to start planning immediately to not miss this unique opportunity. A professional conversion partner can assist you with the application process. The next step is to understand the long-term cost advantages.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting Often Outperforms Buying New
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), also known as the total operating costs, is the crucial metric for the economic viability of a commercial vehicle. It encompasses far more than just the purchase price. A Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) offers clear advantages in this regard. While the initial investment is significantly reduced by the 80% funding, the ongoing costs drop dramatically. The electricity costs per 100 kilometers are up to 70% lower than the diesel costs. Additionally, items such as truck tolls, vehicle taxes, and costly maintenance of the combustion engine (e.g., oil changes, exhaust systems) can be eliminated. The decisive advantage, however, is that you can continue to utilize your expensive and proven special design 100%. A new purchase would not only mean paying the full price for a new electric vehicle but also the costs for a completely new setup. Thus, a DTE solution conserves your capital in two ways. Learn more about the Total Cost of Ownership and how it is calculated. These financial advantages are underscored by impressive technical performance data.
Performance without compromise: Range and charging power after the upgrade.
The worry about insufficient range or performance is unfounded with modern electric conversions. HEERO solutions are designed for demanding commercial use and use a standardized battery with a gross capacity of 110 kWh and a net capacity of 96 kWh. This enables practical ranges for almost every application.
HEERO DTE Sprinter: Up to 425 km range ensures the reliable handling of regional tours.
HEERO eTransporter: With up to 500 km range, longer distances are also easily achievable.
HEERO ePritschenwagen: A range of up to 400 km offers flexibility for crafts and municipalities.
HEERO Bus Solutions: The Tourer reaches up to 400 km, while the low-floor buses achieve up to 300 km in urban traffic.
The DC fast charging capacity of up to 135 kW (or 165 kW for the medium low-floor bus) ensures minimal downtime. In about 40 minutes, the battery is recharged to 80%. These performance data prove that professional conversion does not mean compromising on practical suitability. Rather, it combines economic with ecological benefits.
Circular economy in practice: Renovation instead of new purchase as a sustainability strategy
The decision to retrofit is more than just an economic measure; it is an active contribution to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle along with its structure (linear "Take-Make-Waste" model), you significantly extend its lifecycle. By continuing to use the chassis and the complete structure, up to 80% of the CO₂ emissions that would occur during the production of a new vehicle are saved. This principle of "remanufacturing" conserves valuable resources like steel, aluminum, and plastics. You are not only acting ecologically responsibly, but also strengthening your image as a sustainable company. The electrification of your existing fleet is thus the smartest way to combine economic sense with ecological responsibility. Start your analysis now to set the course for a future-proof fleet.
More useful links
The National Control Center for Charging Infrastructure provides information on commercial vehicles, particularly in the context of logistics and transport.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on climate protection in transport, particularly regarding commercial vehicles with alternative drives.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) informs about circular economy and the handling of old vehicles as waste streams.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) offers a detailed PDF document on circular economy in the automotive sector.
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive article on electric vehicles, covering basics, technology, and history.
The IHK Munich informs about the diesel driving ban in Munich and its relevance for commercial traffic.
The Federal Environment Agency provides information on environmental zones in Germany and their connection to fine dust.
The German Energy Agency (dena) highlights the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric trucks, including relevant challenges and solutions.
FAQ
How long does a Diesel-to-Electric conversion take?
A professional DTE conversion with HEERO is a standardized process and usually takes only a few weeks. This results in minimal downtime for your vehicle.
What happens with the registration and warranty of my vehicle?
HEERO works as a certified partner to ensure that the original vehicle homologation is maintained and a new registration as an electric vehicle is completed. Depending on the age and condition of the vehicle, warranty services are either preserved or replaced by HEERO warranties for the powertrain.
What are the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or overall operating costs include all expenses incurred by a vehicle over its entire lifetime. This includes acquisition, depreciation, energy (fuel/electricity), maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, and tolls. A TCO analysis allows a true cost comparison between different powertrain types.
What does the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) state?
The Clean Vehicles Directive is an EU directive that stipulates binding minimum quotas for the procurement of clean and zero-emission vehicles by public authorities. It aims to boost the market for environmentally friendly vehicles and reduce emissions in the transport sector.
Does HEERO assist with applying for funding?
Yes, HEERO offers comprehensive funding advice. We analyze your situation, develop an individual funding roadmap, and actively support you in timely applying to secure the maximum funding amount of 80% for you.
What charging infrastructure do I need for a converted vehicle?
This depends on your fleet and usage profile. For most applications, an AC wallbox at the depot is sufficient for overnight charging. Thanks to the high DC fast-charging capability of up to 135 kW, the vehicles can also be charged at public rapid charging stations in a short time if necessary. The purchase of the infrastructure is also subsidized by 40%.
