Securing the conversion as a sustainable investment in the future of your company.
Secure up to 425 kilometers of range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – all without the high costs of a new vehicle. Retrofitting your existing fleet is not only a response to rising diesel prices and strict climate regulations, but also a strategic decision for efficiency and sustainability.
The topic briefly and concisely
The conversion of diesel commercial vehicles to electric drive will be subsidized with 80% of the additional costs, and the deadline for applications is August 31, 2025.
By continuing to use the chassis and structure (circular economy), retrofitting is often more economical than buying new and reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Modern DTE systems offer practical ranges of up to 500 km and fast charging powers of up to 165 kW, which qualifies them for most applications.
The electrification of commercial vehicle fleets is one of the biggest challenges for many companies in the next three years. Bureaucratic hurdles, high investment costs, and uncertainty regarding range and charging infrastructure often slow down progress. At the same time, the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive and rising CO₂ prices are forcing action. Presenting the conversion as a sustainable investment in the future of your company is the crucial step. Instead of writing off expensive special installations, you can retain these through a Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) and benefit from up to 80% government funding. This approach not only conserves your budget but is also a clear commitment to the circular economy.
Your strategic advantages at a glance
The decision to retrofit is more than a technical modernization; it is a wise business decision. This secures you four key advantages for the next ten years.
Utilize 80% funding rate: The current BMDV funding guidelines subsidize the DTE retrofit with 80% of the additional costs compared to a diesel.
Reduce total cost of ownership (TCO): Electric drives lower your operating costs by eliminating oil changes and decreasing energy costs by at least 30%.
Prove sustainability: By opting for retrofitting instead of buying new, you avoid the CO₂ emissions from vehicle production and save valuable resources.
Ensure future viability: With an emissions-free fleet, you meet all requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive and secure access to all environmental zones.
This combination of financial and ecological benefits makes retrofitting the top choice for forward-thinking fleet managers.
Your 4-point plan for profitable fleet electrification
A structured process is the key to success in order to make optimal use of the deadline on August 31, 2025. With this checklist, you will safely navigate through all phases.
Conduct needs analysis: Analyze the daily driving profiles and range requirements of your fleet for at least 30 days.
Check funding opportunities: Have your eligibility for the 80% vehicle and 40% infrastructure grants assessed.
Create TCO comparison: Calculate the total costs in detail and compare retrofitting with a diesel purchase over ten years.
Plan implementation: Define a schedule for retrofitting the first vehicles and setting up the charging infrastructure with up to 165 kW charging capacity.
Many companies underestimate the savings on maintenance and taxes, which often exceed 50%. A detailed analysis reveals these potentials and forms the basis for the next phase: securing financing.
Make optimal use of funding pots: Secure up to 80% grant
The current funding landscape in Germany offers a unique opportunity to drastically reduce electrification costs. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) actively supports companies.
The funding guideline "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) is the central instrument. It subsidizes the additional investment costs for a diesel-to-electric conversion by 80%. The necessary charging infrastructure is also funded at 40%. The crucial deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2025.
This funding is a direct response to EU requirements such as the Clean Vehicles Directive, which is enshrined in the German "Act on Clean Road Vehicles" (SaubFahrzeugBeschG). This law requires public clients to adhere to fixed quotas for zero-emission vehicles, increasing the pressure on private service providers. With the funding, you can proactively achieve these sustainability goals in your fleet. Thus, a regulatory obligation becomes an affordable opportunity to reduce costs in the long term.
TCO analysis: How retrofitting reduces total costs
The acquisition costs are only part of the truth; what matters is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This metric includes all costs over the entire lifespan of a vehicle of up to 15 years.
A DTE conversion significantly lowers the TCO. While the initial costs are greatly reduced by the 80% funding, you benefit in the long term from lower variable costs. Studies show that the energy costs per 100 kilometers for an e-transporter are often 50-70% lower than diesel costs. Additionally, there are reduced maintenance costs, as oil changes, exhaust system repairs, and AdBlue are completely eliminated.
A mini-case for illustration:
A craft business retrofits a sprinter with expensive shelving expansion.
The range of up to 425 km covers 95% of all daily operations.
The annual savings in operating costs and taxes amount to over 4,000 euros per vehicle.
The amortization calculation for electrification shows a return on investment in less than four years.
These figures demonstrate that retrofitting is not only environmentally but especially economically the smarter choice, particularly in the context of the circular economy.
Circular economy in practice: The technological advantages of DTE retrofitting
The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) is a prime example of practical circular economy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle with valuable bodywork, its lifecycle is extended by more than ten years.
The core of the vehicle – chassis, body, and special structure – remains intact. Only the fossil drive is replaced by a highly efficient electric drive. Our Heero systems offer impressive performance data. The Heero eTransporter achieves up to 500 km range with a 96 kWh net battery. Even the mid-floor bus manages up to 300 km with its 115 kWh battery, and thanks to 165 kW DC charging power, it charges to 80% in under 45 minutes.
This technology not only preserves the value of your existing vehicles but even increases it. You get a modern, quiet, and powerful electric vehicle, perfectly tailored to your needs. Therefore, the conversion is a strategic decision that intelligently combines economy and ecology.
Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions, receive your grant roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding.
For a free analysis
free · non-binding · on time
More useful links
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides tables and data on new vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Federal Environment Agency informs about environmental zones in Germany that have been established to reduce particulate matter pollution.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) deals with commercial vehicles with alternative drives and their significance for climate protection in transport.
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides information about the funding program for climate protection and sustainability in transport (KSNI).
This study report from the Federal Association of Logistics (BVL) addresses topics related to transport and supply chain management.
The Fraunhofer Institute SCS describes references in the field of environmental and climate protection in logistics.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) addresses the promotion of circular economy in vehicles.
This factsheet from the ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) analyzes the total cost of ownership (TCO) of battery electric trucks (BETs) in Europe, focusing on Germany.
The German Energy Agency (dena) discusses electromobility as an opportunity for electricity grids.
FAQ
Why should I retrofit instead of buying a new electric vehicle?
Retrofitting is particularly the more economical solution for vehicles with expensive or complex special superstructures. You retain the value of your superstructure, save the costs for a new acquisition, and benefit from the circular economy. Additionally, the delivery times for retrofits are often shorter than for new vehicles.
How long does a DTE retrofit take?
A professional diesel-to-electric retrofit usually takes between 10 and 15 working days, depending on the vehicle model and the complexity of the conversion.
What legal regulations make electrification necessary?
The EU directive
