Maximizing fleet lifespan: Extend the lifespan of your entire commercial vehicle fleet through professional electrification.
Secure up to 425 km of range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – all without the costs of a new vehicle. Electrifying your existing fleet is the pragmatic response to rising diesel prices and strict climate regulations. Act now, as the critical funding deadline ends on August 31, 2025.
The topic briefly and concisely
Extend the lifespan of your commercial vehicles through a diesel-to-electric conversion and thus protect your investments in expensive special superstructures.
Take advantage of the state funding of 80% for the conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure before the application deadline ends on August 31, 2025.
Reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your fleet through lower energy and maintenance costs, and achieve ranges of up to 425 km.
The decision to extend the lifespan of your entire commercial vehicle fleet through professional electrification is more than an ecological measure – it is a strategic business decision. Given rising operating costs and regulatory hurdles such as the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), fleet managers are under pressure. A diesel-to-electric (DTE) conversion offers a direct solution: it preserves the value of your proven vehicles and expensive special superstructures, reduces total operating costs (TCO), and secures up to 80% government funding. This article outlines the clear path to future-proofing your fleet and making the most of the final funding phase until the deadline on August 31, 2025.
Regulatory pressure and cost factors as drivers for fleet electrification.
The pressure to act for fleet operators is steadily increasing due to two central developments: stricter environmental regulations and rising operating costs. The EU Clean Vehicles Directive already sets clear quotas for the procurement of low-emission vehicles that must be achieved by 2025. For light commercial vehicles, this quota is 38.5 percent. At the same time, unpredictable diesel prices and CO₂ taxation significantly burden the calculation of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Many companies underestimate that retrofitting a single vehicle is often more economical than purchasing a new one. Professional electrification is therefore no longer a distant trend, but an immediate necessity to achieve the sustainability goals in the fleet and remain competitive. The existing funding programs of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) create crucial financial incentives for this. This combination of regulatory pressure and economic sense makes the topic more urgent than ever.
Circular economy as a strategy: Why retrofitting surpasses new purchases
The conversion from diesel to electric drive is a prime example of applied circular economy and extends the service life of your vehicles by many years. Instead of prematurely replacing a fully functional vehicle with valuable special equipment, only the drive unit is replaced. This process, known as Diesel-to-Electric (DTE), preserves the value of your previous investments. Particularly for vehicles with expensive bodies, such as refrigerated trucks or workshop equipment, tens of thousands of euros in capital loss are avoided. The advantages of this method are diverse and directly measurable.
Here are the core benefits of the DTE conversion:
Value Retention: You can protect the value of your special equipment because the base vehicle is retained.
Resource Conservation: Continuing to use the chassis and body saves around 70% of the resources that would be required for a new build.
CO₂ Reduction: The conversion avoids the gray emissions that occur during the production of a completely new vehicle.
Quick Implementation: The conversion of a vehicle takes only a few days at Heero, while delivery times for new e-transporters often take months.
This approach is not only sustainable but also offers impressive technical performance for the demanding workday.
Your 4-point action plan for the funded e-fleet before the deadline on August 31, 2025
To strategically and timely implement the electrification of your fleet, a structured process is crucial. With the following checklist, you can secure the benefits of the conversion and maximum funding.
Fleet analysis and vehicle check: Identify the vehicles in your fleet that are most suitable for a DTE conversion based on mileage, condition, and configurations. Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are an ideal foundation for this.
Economic feasibility calculation (TCO): Conduct a detailed analysis of the total cost of ownership. Compare the projected costs of a converted vehicle with those of a diesel and a new electric vehicle. Studies show that electric vehicles will be the most cost-effective option by 2030.
Funding check and application: Time is of the essence. The current BMDV guideline subsidizes the additional costs of conversion by 80% and the establishment of charging infrastructure by 40%. The final deadline for applications is August 31, 2025.
Implementation partner and schedule: Choose an experienced partner for the technical implementation. Plan the conversion of your vehicles in phases to minimize downtime and to analyze and optimize the overall costs of your fleet.
With this plan, you can strategically utilize financial incentives for the modernization of your fleet.
Target funding pots effectively: This is how you secure 80% subsidy for your conversion.
The current funding landscape in Germany offers a unique opportunity to drastically reduce the costs of fleet electrification. The central instrument is the KsNI guideline of the BMDV, which specifically aims to reduce the investment burden for companies. 80 percent of the additional investment costs incurred by converting a diesel vehicle to an electric drive compared to a new diesel vehicle are subsidized. This means that the majority of the conversion costs are directly subsidized by the state. In addition, the necessary non-public charging infrastructure is funded at a rate of 40 percent. The application deadline for these attractive conditions ends irrevocably on August 31, 2025. A prompt application is crucial to secure the funds for your company and to increase the planning security for the next 10 years. The long-term savings from the conversion are the real economic gain.
Avoiding the TCO trap: How retrofitting reduces your total operating costs
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), also known as the overall operating costs, is the key indicator of the economic efficiency of a fleet. While the acquisition costs for electric vehicles or retrofitting may be higher, the ongoing costs are significantly lower. A TCO analysis shows that the investment in a DTE retrofit often pays off within four to six years. The savings on energy, maintenance, taxes, and tolls far exceed the initial investment. The energy costs per kilometer for an electric vehicle are significantly lower than the expenses for diesel. Additionally, expensive maintenance tasks such as oil changes or exhaust system repairs are eliminated. Studies by the ICCT forecast that battery-electric trucks will be the most cost-effective drive type for most classes by 2030. A comparison between retrofitting and purchasing new often shows that continuing to use the existing vehicle optimizes the TCO the most. These financial benefits go hand in hand with convincing performance in everyday life.
Practicality in focus: range and charging performance for everyday work
The concern about insufficient range is often unfounded, as modern electric transporters easily cover most daily profiles. A DTE-Sprinter converted by Heero achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers. The Heero eTransporter as a new vehicle even achieves up to 500 kilometers with a single charge. These values provide sufficient buffer for delivery services, craft businesses, and municipal operations. The battery with a net capacity of 96 kWh can be charged at a DC fast charging station with up to 135 kW. This means that in just about 30 minutes of charging time, up to 80 percent of the range is available again. An intelligent charging infrastructure, whose setup is subsidized by 40 percent, is the key to maximum efficiency. It enables overnight charging at the company premises or short interim charges during loading breaks. Thus, the electrification of your fleet is not only a theoretical, but an absolutely practical solution.
More useful links
Logistra offers an article about the change in the commercial vehicle market and the strong growth of electric trucks and buses.
The National Control Center for Charging Infrastructure provides information about commercial vehicles on its page.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides information on climate protection in transport and on commercial vehicles with alternative drives.
Statista offers a statistic with a forecast for the global electrification of trucks, broken down by regions.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) publishes an analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
Wikipedia offers a list of electric commercial vehicles.
The ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) provides a fact sheet on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of battery electric trucks (BETs) in Europe.
The DIHK (German Chamber of Commerce and Industry) provides information on the promotion of the circular economy in vehicles.
FAQ
Who is especially suited to extend the fleet life through electrification?
The electrification of existing vehicles is ideally suited for companies and municipalities with commercial vehicles that have expensive and durable special structures. This includes, for example, craft businesses with workshop fittings, logistics companies with refrigerated boxes, or municipalities with special vehicles. They can maintain the value of these structures while simultaneously reducing their operating costs and emissions.
What does the deadline of August 31, 2025, specifically mean for my company?
This date is the deadline for submitting applications under the current funding guideline (KsNI) of the BMDV. To benefit from the 80% subsidy for vehicle conversion and 40% for charging infrastructure, your application must be fully submitted by this day. According to the current state, a later application is no longer possible under these conditions.
How is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) affected by a conversion?
A DTE conversion significantly reduces the TCO. While the initial investment occurs, you benefit from significantly lower operating costs: electricity is cheaper per kilometer than diesel, maintenance costs are lower (no oil change, fewer wear parts), and there are tax advantages as well as toll exemptions. As a result, the investment usually pays off within a few years.
Which vehicles can be converted?
Heero specializes in the professional Diesel-to-Electric conversion of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models. These vehicles provide a high-quality and widely used basis for numerous applications in the commercial and municipal sectors.
How long does a professional DTE conversion take?
A professional conversion is a standardized process that usually takes only a few working days. This is a significant advantage compared to the often months-long delivery times for comparable new vehicles.
What happens to my old diesel engine?
In the spirit of the circular economy, the removed diesel engines and components are not simply disposed of. They are professionally reconditioned and supplied to the spare parts market, conserving additional resources.
