Achieving ESG goals: A conversion as part of my comprehensive corporate sustainability strategy.
Achieving ESG goals: A conversion as part of my comprehensive corporate sustainability strategy.
Did you know that over 3,500 e-buses benefited from government subsidies? The electrification of your fleet is not a cost factor, but a strategic investment in your ESG balance sheet and economic efficiency. The federal KsNI funding ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned.
The topic briefly and concisely
The conversion of diesel fleets is a strategic decision to achieve ESG targets; government funding covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024.
By continuing to use existing vehicles (circular economy) and lower operating costs (TCO), retrofitting is often more economical than buying new.
The EU Clean Vehicles Directive primarily requires municipalities to take action and makes retrofitting a quick and resource-saving solution to meet the quotas.
The requirements for modern vehicle fleets are increasing: high diesel prices, strict EU climate regulations, and the pressure to achieve ambitious ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) targets require a rethink from companies and municipalities. Many find themselves faced with the challenge of replacing expensive special bodies and controlling the total cost of ownership. Retrofitting existing fleets is the pragmatic solution here. It is a central building block for a comprehensive corporate strategy for sustainability and ESG goals. This article shows you how, by retrofitting your existing fleet, you can not only meet legal requirements but also reduce your operating costs and position your company as a pioneer.
4-Step Checklist for Fleet Electrification: Funding Situation up to 2024
Switching to electromobility seems complex, but is manageable with a clear four-step plan. Bureaucracy, high costs, and uncertain ranges are solvable challenges. The federal KsNI funding period ran until 2024 and has been discontinued since August 2024.
Here is your pragmatic action plan for rapid implementation:
Conduct vehicle and route analysis: Identify vehicles with predictable, daily routes under 400 kilometers. Our experts support you in analyzing your specific deployment profiles.
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Compare the total cost of ownership. A conversion reduces your variable costs for energy and maintenance by up to 70%.
Check and classify funding: The BMDV funding guideline subsidized the conversion with up to 80% of the additional costs and the charging infrastructure with 40%. We guide you through the entire application process.
Plan and install charging infrastructure: Develop a tailor-made charging concept for your depot. Our HEERO eTransporters charge at up to 135 kW to 80% in around 45 minutes.
With this plan, the sustainable investment in your fleet becomes tangible and plannable. The next step is a detailed look at the financial benefits.
Funding pots in retrospect: Up to 80% subsidy was available until the end of the KsNI guideline in 2024
The funding landscape of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) was a crucial driver for the mobility transition. It enabled companies and municipalities to significantly reduce the investment costs for electrification. The KsNI funding guideline provided a funding rate of up to 80% for the acquisition or conversion of vehicles. The necessary charging infrastructure was also eligible for funding. These rates were crucial to quickly achieving economic efficiency. The funding ran until 2024; new calls for funding are not planned, already approved projects will be fully financed. Which programs are currently open we clarify on a case-by-case basis. A strategic reduction in fleet costs is increasingly sustained by operating costs. However, funding is only one part of the economic efficiency equation.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting is the Most Economical Decision
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the decisive factor for the economic efficiency of a fleet. It includes more than just the purchase price. While the initial investment for a conversion can be higher, it often amortizes in just four to six years. This is due to the significantly lower running costs. The energy costs per kilometer are on average cheaper by a factor of two with electricity compared to diesel. In addition, expensive maintenance items such as oil and filter changes are eliminated, reducing maintenance costs by over 50%. Particularly for vehicles with expensive special bodies, the conversion is unbeatable. You retain your proven vehicle and make it future-proof without having to invest in a completely new build. This use of existing stock is a core element of economic efficiency. Another important aspect is compliance with legal requirements.
Meeting legal requirements: The Clean Vehicles Directive as a driver for municipalities
The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented by the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), sets clear goals. Public authorities must meet binding minimum quotas for clean vehicles. By the end of 2025, for example, 45% of newly procured buses must be clean, with half of them being completely emission-free. For light commercial vehicles, the quota is 38.5%. These specifications make electrification inevitable for municipalities and municipal enterprises. Converting existing vehicles is the fastest and most resource-saving way to achieve these quotas. It makes it possible to continue using existing and proven vehicles, from refuse collection to city buses. This allows municipalities to make a direct contribution to air quality control without having to replace the entire fleet. The conversion is therefore a direct lever for fulfilling the CVD requirements. This strengthens not only sustainability, but also the image.
Circular economy in practice: Retrofitting as a clear commitment to sustainability
The retrofitting of existing vehicles is a prime example of a lived circular economy in the spirit of the German Circular Economy Act (KrWG). Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle with a valuable body, its life cycle is extended by many years. This approach conserves valuable resources such as steel, aluminum, and plastics, the production of which is extremely energy-intensive. Each conversion saves several tons of CO₂ compared to buying a comparable new vehicle. You avoid production waste and significantly reduce your company's ecological footprint. This makes the conversion a game changer for circular mobility and sends a strong signal to customers and citizens. You demonstrate that sustainability is more than just a word to you. The technical performance of the converted vehicles underpins this strategy.
Technology that convinces: Range and charging power for professional use
Practicality is crucial for commercial use. Our converted vehicles deliver convincing figures here. The HEERO DTE-Sprinter achieves a range of up to 425 kilometers. Our bus solutions, such as the low-entry and low-floor buses, manage up to 300 kilometers in demanding city traffic. These ranges cover most of the daily operational profiles of municipalities, logistics providers, and trade businesses.
The charging capacity is equally impressive:
Standard charging capacity (DC): Up to 135 kW for most models.
Battery capacity: 110 kWh gross / 96 kWh net ensure the long range.
Fast charging time: 80% of the range is available again in only about 30 minutes.
Special case low-entry bus: This charges at up to 165 kW thanks to a larger 137 kWh battery.
This performance data, coordinated through planning with the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, guarantees maximum availability for your fleet. This clears the way for the final, decisive step.
More useful links
KPMG offers an overview of ESG topics (environmental, social, and corporate governance).
The Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz provides a dossier on the topic of sustainability.
The Bertelsmann Stiftung publishes the Sustainability Transformation Monitor 2024.
The Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitskodex (DNK) offers information on strategy reporting.
The platform Kreislaufwirtschaft Deutschland provides comprehensive information about the circular economy in Germany.
The Umweltbundesamt offers information on waste and circular economy.
Statista provides statistics and data on the topic of electromobility.
The Nationale Leitstelle Ladeinfrastruktur provides information on commercial vehicles.
The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) offers a factsheet on the total cost of ownership (TCO) of battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe.
