Full payload with electric retrofitting: What the 80% funding covered for your fleet until 2024
Full payload with electric retrofitting: What the 80% funding covered for your fleet until 2024
Rising diesel prices, strict CO₂ regulations, and impending driving bans are putting pressure on your fleet. Learn how to find a future-proof retrofit solution that does not reduce the vehicle's original payload while simultaneously lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO).
The topic briefly and concisely
A diesel-to-electric conversion retains the full original payload and thus protects the investment in expensive special superstructures.
Until 2024, companies and municipalities could apply for funding of up to 80% of the additional costs for the conversion; new funding calls are not planned.
Retrofitting in terms of circular economy is more sustainable than buying new, as it saves around 45 tons of CO₂ from production per vehicle.
For fleet managers in the public sector and the private economy, the electrification of commercial vehicles is no longer an option, but a necessity. The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) mandates clear quotas for low-emission vehicles by 2025. However, many shy away from the high costs and the concern of losing the proven functionality of their expensive specialized bodies. The solution does not lie in buying new, but in strategic retrofitting. Professional diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) not only preserves the value of your bodies, but also secures your full payload and reduces operating costs. The BMDV funding guideline KsNI covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024; no new calls for funding are planned. Which programs are currently open will be clarified on a case-by-case basis.
The double pressure: Regulatory deadlines and economic burdens
The countdown is running: The Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), the German implementation of the Clean Vehicles Directive, demands action. By the end of 2025, 38.5% of light commercial vehicles and 45% of buses in public tenders must be "clean." At the same time, volatile diesel prices and high maintenance costs burden the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of your fleet. Many municipalities and companies with expensive special bodies, such as for workshop vehicles or refrigerated transports, face a dilemma: a new vehicle would mean the loss of an investment of up to 100,000 euros. This economic and regulatory predicament requires a pragmatic solution that looks beyond the box of mere vehicle purchasing.
The solution: Find a retrofit solution that does not reduce the original payload of the vehicle.
The answer lies in the targeted electrification of your existing fleet. A professional conversion is the only method to preserve the full functionality and, above all, the original payload of your valuable special-purpose vehicles. Unlike many new electric vehicles, whose heavy batteries restrict the payload, a HEERO conversion compensates for the additional weight by eliminating the heavy diesel drivetrain. The result is a vehicle with a range of up to 425 km that fulfills its original task without compromise. This allows you, for example, to continue using your proven workshop vehicle with shelving system. This strategy protects your investments and sets the course for a locally emission-free future.
Your 4-point action plan for cost-effective fleet electrification
The KsNI funding ran until 2024, but with a clear plan, you can master the transition confidently. Here is how you proceed:
Vehicle and requirements analysis: Check which vehicles in your fleet are suitable for conversion. The decisive factors here are the daily driving profiles and the need to maintain the full payload.
Conduct a funding check: Have the 80% funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), which was valid until 2024, assessed in today's terms. This provides clarity regarding the investment costs.
Perform a TCO comparison: Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership. A conversion reduces energy costs by up to 60% and maintenance costs by over 50% compared to diesel.
Plan charging infrastructure: In parallel with the vehicle conversion, you should tackle the setup of the charging infrastructure. Grants of up to 40% were also available for this.
This structured approach not only creates clarity about the funding situation but also enables a smooth transition.
Deep Dive: Funding, Costs, and Technology in Detail
Classifying Funding Pots: The Current Status
The BMDV funded the purchase of electric commercial vehicles and DTE conversions with up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a diesel vehicle. The associated charging infrastructure was subsidized at 40%. The KsNI ran until 2024 and has been discontinued since August 2024. Our funding analysis helps you fully prepare all necessary documents. A comparison between purchase and conversion quickly highlights the financial advantages.
Cost Comparison: TCO as a Decisive Factor
The initial investment in a conversion is quickly amortized through lower operating costs. Studies prove that electric vans reach or even undercut TCO parity with diesel vehicles. A HEERO DTE Sprinter with a 110 kWh battery (96 kWh net) consumes significantly less energy per kilometer. In addition, costs for oil changes, exhaust systems, and AdBlue are eliminated, which reduces maintenance costs by over 50%.
Charging Infrastructure and Lifespan
Our converted vehicles, such as the HEERO Tourer with a range of up to 400 km, charge at up to 135 kW direct current (DC) to 80% in around 40 minutes. The medium low-floor bus with its 137 kWh battery (115 kWh net) even manages this in under 30 minutes thanks to 165 kW charging capacity. The batteries are designed for at least 3,000 charging cycles, which guarantees a long and reliable lifespan in fleet operation. You can view the exact technical specifications here.
Circular economy in practice: Why retrofitting is the smarter sustainability.
Every vehicle we convert is an active contribution to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle with a valuable body, we extend its life cycle by many years. This approach significantly reduces the demand for primary raw materials such as steel and aluminum compared to new production. The EU Commission emphasizes that reusing vehicle components makes a crucial contribution to conserving resources and significantly lowers CO₂ emissions. A conversion saves around 45 tons of CO₂ per vehicle, which would be generated during the production of a new van. This makes conversion not only economically but also ecologically the superior strategy.
Start your funding analysis: Your roadmap to potential grants
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Note: The content presented here is for general information purposes and does not constitute legal or funding advice.
More useful links
The BALM (Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility) provides detailed information on the Climate Protection and Mobility (KSNI) funding program.
The KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) provides information on its funding programs for companies in the field of electromobility.
The BMV (Federal Ministry of Transport) publishes the funding guidelines for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers press releases with current statistical data on electromobility.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides press releases on new registrations of vehicles with alternative drive systems.
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) offers a comprehensive analysis of the environmental performance of motor vehicles.
The German Energy Agency (dena) provides information on new registrations of passenger cars with electric drive systems in the current year.
DEKRA offers information on converting trucks to electric drive.
