Increasing efficiency in construction logistics: Converting diesel vehicles sustainably to electric drive
Increasing efficiency in construction logistics: Converting diesel vehicles sustainably to electric drive
Rising diesel prices, impending driving bans, and ambitious climate goals are presenting fleet operators in construction logistics with enormous challenges. Converting your reliable diesel vehicles to a powerful electric drive is the pragmatic and economically superior solution. Learn how you can reduce costs, protect the environment, and enhance the value of your specialized vehicles with this strategy.
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The topic briefly and concisely
Converting diesel vehicles to electric drive significantly reduces total operating costs (TCO) due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
By continuing to use existing vehicles with specialized designs, investments are protected and valuable resources are conserved in terms of the circular economy.
The conversion ensures compliance with legal requirements such as the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act and avoids impending diesel driving bans in city centers.
For companies and municipalities in construction logistics, the pressure to switch to locally emission-free drive systems is constantly growing. Sticking with diesel vehicles leads to unpredictable costs due to rising CO2 prices and stricter environmental regulations. At the same time, purchasing new electric commercial vehicles is often uneconomical, especially when expensive specialized bodies are already in place. HEERO offers an innovative solution for this: We specialize in converting diesel vehicles in construction site logistics to electric drives for greater sustainability. This approach not only protects your budget but also ensures compliance with legal requirements and strengthens your competitiveness through a future-proof fleet.
The challenge: Economic and regulatory pressure on diesel fleets
The construction sector is responsible for a significant share of CO2 emissions, with around 65 percent of emissions on construction sites caused by the combustion of diesel. This leads to rising operating costs and growing pressure from legal regulations. The Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG) has already obliged public contracting authorities since August 2021 to comply with fixed quotas for low-emission vehicles; for light commercial vehicles, this stands at 38.5 percent. For many operators of construction site vehicles, such as municipalities or trade businesses, this means an urgent need for modernization. Converting a single crane from diesel to battery power can save 140 tons of CO2 per year. These figures illustrate the enormous potential that lies in the electrification of construction vehicles. The Zukunftssicherheit kommunaler Nutzfahrzeuge directly depends on this transformation. The question is no longer whether, but how this transition can be achieved most efficiently.
The solution: D2E conversion as the core of the circular economy
Instead of prematurely retiring proven vehicles with expensive special bodies, conversion offers an intelligent alternative. Our patented Diesel-to-Electric conversion transforms your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter into state-of-the-art electric vehicles within just 10 days. This approach is a prime example of the circular economy, as it extends the service life of high-quality vehicles and minimizes resource consumption. Every year in Europe, almost 7 million vehicles reach the end of their service life, generating over 1 million tons of plastic waste. By continuing to use the chassis and the body, this waste is avoided and the embodied energy that would be generated during the production of a new vehicle is saved. The continued use of the vehicle fleet is the most resource-efficient form of mobility. The electrification of your fleet through conversion is therefore not only an economic but also a deeply ecological decision. In this way, a cost factor becomes a sustainable value driver for your company.
Cost-effectiveness in focus: drastically reduce total cost of ownership (TCO)
The decision in favor of a conversion is primarily an economic one. While the initial costs are incurred for the electrification, the true savings lie in the total cost of ownership (TCO). Studies show that electric trucks are more cost-effective in the long term than their diesel counterparts, as the higher acquisition costs are often amortized within 4 to 6 years. The operating costs of a converted electric van are significantly lower, which is comprised of several factors:
Energy costs: The costs per kilometer for electricity are significantly lower than for diesel, often only 0.24 euros per kilowatt hour including all types of charging.
Maintenance and repair: Electric drives have far fewer wear parts than internal combustion engines, which reduces maintenance costs by up to 50%.
Tax advantages: Electric vehicles benefit from a 10-year exemption from vehicle tax.
CO2 levies: The rising CO2 pricing for fossil fuels is completely eliminated.
Subsidy programs: Government subsidies such as the KsNI directive (available in the past) supported the conversion and acquisition of charging infrastructure with up to 80% of the additional costs.
The analysis of the total cost of ownership clearly shows the financial advantage of electrification. A detailed analysis of your fleet TCO proves how quickly the investment in a conversion pays off for you. This makes the transition to e-mobility a strategic investment in the profitability of your fleet.
Performance without compromise: range and power for everyday construction site use
A common concern regarding electric commercial vehicles relates to practicality, particularly in terms of range and performance. Our converted HEERO vans impressively disprove this concern. With a certified range of up to 425 kilometers, our vehicles far exceed the daily requirements of most construction site logistics providers. The performance of the electric drive ensures dynamic handling and high pulling power, which is particularly advantageous with heavy loads. The proven and robust basis of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter remains fully intact. Our converted vehicles often offer better driving dynamics than the original diesel vehicle. For special requirements, such as those of a Sprinter with a double cab and platform, the drive is precisely tailored to the intended use. In this way, we ensure that performance is 100% reliable even under the most demanding conditions. This technological superiority makes conversion the first choice for forward-looking fleets.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO – combining economic efficiency and sustainability
The decision to convert diesel vehicles in construction logistics to electric drive for greater sustainability is a strategic course setting for the future. You break free from the volatility of diesel prices, effortlessly meet current and coming environmental regulations, and sustainably reduce your operating costs. By continuing to use your proven special-purpose vehicles, you protect past investments and act in the spirit of a true circular economy. HEERO is more than just a vehicle supplier; we are your partner for the transformation of your fleet. We offer you a comprehensive solution ranging from consulting and conversion to service and charging infrastructure. Experience the future of construction logistics today. Request your personal consultation now or book an everyday test at no cost and convince yourself of the performance of our converted e-transporters.
More useful links
Statista offers statistics and data on the topic of electromobility.
Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) publishes monthly new registration statistics for vehicles in Germany.
DEKRA provides information on converting trucks to electric drive.
Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM) offers an information sheet on the funding of conversions under the KsNI program.
Fraunhofer IML describes its activities in the field of electromobility.
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) offers a factsheet on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe.
Fraunhofer IWKS offers a flyer on the topic of cycles in electromobility, including recycling and sustainability.
Umweltbundesamt (UBA) addresses the topic of climate protection in transport.
