Optimize fleet electrification: Choose a retrofit that is compatible with your existing workshop infrastructure.
Up to 425 km of range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – without the costs and hassle of buying a new vehicle. Given rising diesel prices and the funding deadline on August 31, 2025, now is the pragmatic time to transition your fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
Take advantage of the 80% KsNI funding for vehicle conversions and 40% for charging infrastructure when applying by August 31, 2025.
A compatible retrofit maintains the value of expensive special constructions and integrates into existing workshop processes, avoiding high investments.
Converting to electric drive reduces the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by up to 60% compared to diesel due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
The pressure to electrify commercial vehicle fleets is steadily growing, driven by high operating costs, strict climate regulations like the Clean Vehicles Directive, and the desire for more sustainability. However, many decision-makers hesitate due to the fear of high investments and complex workshop conversions. The solution often does not lie in expensive new purchases, but in choosing a conversion that is compatible with the existing workshop infrastructure. This approach, the core of the HEERO philosophy, not only preserves your budget by retaining valuable special bodies but also secures you up to 80% government funding – however, only if the application is submitted by August 31, 2025.
Pressure to act and opportunity: Why the time for retrofitting is ripe now
Communities and companies face the challenge of making their fleets more climate-friendly. The EU directive "Clean Vehicles Directive" (CVD) has mandated minimum quotas for the procurement of low-emission vehicles since 2021. For light commercial vehicles, the quota is set at 38.5% by 2025. At the same time, unpredictable diesel prices and increasing CO₂ pricing significantly burden the total cost of ownership. This is precisely where the current funding landscape comes into play: The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) supports the transition with substantial subsidies. This financial aid makes the decision for retrofitting not only ecologically but also economically a strategically wise step. The crucial question is no longer whether electrification will happen, but how to make the transition as efficient as possible.
Your 4-point action plan for seamless fleet electrification
A structured approach is the key to success. With this checklist, you will navigate safely through the process:
Funding Analysis: Check your eligibility for the KsNI funding. This covers 80% of the additional investment costs for a Diesel-to-Electric conversion and 40% for the necessary charging infrastructure. The application deadline is August 31, 2025.
TCO Calculation: Determine the Total Cost of Ownership. A conversion reduces operating costs by eliminating oil changes, reducing brake wear, and offering cheaper "fill-ups" by up to 60%.
Infrastructure Audit: Evaluate your workshop. Heero conversions are designed to be integrated into existing service structures with minimal adjustments, saving thousands of euros.
Solution Selection: Decide based on the audit whether a targeted DTE conversion of your existing vehicles or the purchase of new Heero E-transporters is the better strategy.
With this plan, it becomes clear how the financial and technological courses must be set for a successful transition.
Funding pots and deadlines: How to secure 80% subsidy until August 2025
The funding program "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) of the BMDV is the central instrument for supporting your fleet modernization. It subsidizes the additional investment costs of a retrofit compared to a diesel reference vehicle by 80%. Specifically, this means: The difference between the costs for the conversion and the costs of a new diesel will be covered by the state by four-fifths. The installation of charging stations on the company premises is also subsidized by 40%. However, the crucial information is the deadline: Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025, to benefit from these conditions. Given the processing times, an immediate start to planning is essential. Take the opportunity for comprehensive E-bus funding in 2025 and for other vehicle classes. In addition to the direct grants, the long-term savings are the real economic lever.
TCO comparison: Why retrofitting often surpasses purchasing new
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the critical metric for fleet managers. It encompasses all costs over the entire lifespan of a vehicle. Here, retrofitting shows its true strengths:
Preservation of value: Expensive special superstructures (e.g., refrigerated bodies, workshop equipment, waste presses) remain fully intact. A new purchase would quickly incur costs of over 50,000 euros just for the superstructure.
Lower operating costs: An electric drive has significantly fewer wear parts than a combustion engine, which reduces maintenance costs by over 50%.
Stable energy costs: While diesel prices fluctuate significantly, electricity costs, especially when using your own solar power, are predictable and usually 40–60% lower.
No CO₂ tax: Electric vehicles are exempt from the CO₂ levy, which means savings of several thousand euros per vehicle over five years.
These factors make an analysis of total operating costs a must. The financial benefits are evident, but they are based on robust and practical technology.
The HEERO technology: Performance and range for everyday work
A conversion is only worthwhile if the performance convinces in everyday work. Heero relies on proven components here. A Sprinter converted with the DTE kit achieves a range of up to 425 km. The basis for this is a battery with 110 kWh gross and 96 kWh net capacity. At a DC fast charging station, charging is done with up to 135 kW, which enables a charge from 20% to 80% in under 40 minutes.This technological approach follows the principle of the circular economy: Instead of scrapping a proven vehicle, its lifecycle is extended by a technical upgrade. This not only conserves resources but also retains the familiar operation for the drivers. Find the conversion solution that suits you here. However, an important, often overlooked advantage is the integration into your existing service processes.
Seamless Integration: How the conversion fits into your workshop
The greatest leverage for cost reduction in electrification often lies in the infrastructure. You don't necessarily have to build a completely new high-voltage workshop for 500,000 euros. If you choose a conversion that is compatible with the existing workshop infrastructure, you save capital and time. The DTE systems from Heero are designed so that your existing technicians can carry out many of the maintenance tasks themselves after certified training. This compatibility significantly reduces hidden costs and the complexity of electrification. You continue to use your lifts, your staff, and your processes. This ensures high vehicle availability and turns the switch to e-mobility into a calculable project rather than a leap into cold water. This pragmatic approach ensures that your fleet continues to run without long downtimes.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of electromobility, its definitions, history, and technological aspects.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides compact information on electromobility.
Statista offers up-to-date statistics on the number of electric cars in Germany.
Roland Berger offers a publication on the topic of fleet electrification.
Electromobility.NRW informs about new requirements for automotive workshops in the field of electromobility.
FAQ
What range can I expect from a converted vehicle?
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (DTE) converted by Heero achieves a practical range of up to 425 km. Other models like the eTransporter reach up to 500 km, while buses for urban traffic are designed for up to 300 km.
What does Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion mean?
DTE is the process of removing the internal combustion engine and associated components from an existing diesel vehicle and replacing them with a fully electric drivetrain (E-motor, battery, power electronics). The vehicle chassis and body are retained.
How long does a conversion take?
A typical DTE conversion of a van at Heero takes about 10 to 15 working days. This is significantly faster than the average delivery time for a comparable new vehicle, which often exceeds 12 months.
What exactly is included in the 80% funding?
The funding applies to 80% of the additional investment costs. This is the difference between the cost of converting your vehicle to electric drive and the notional cost of a comparable new diesel vehicle. The pure vehicle costs are therefore not covered by 80%.
Will the payload of my vehicle remain the same after the conversion?
The payload may slightly change due to the weight of the battery. However, Heero optimizes the component distribution to minimize the impact. Additionally, in Germany, the permissible total weight for e-transporters can be increased to up to 4.25 tons, which can still be driven with a class B driver's license and compensates for any potential payload reduction.
What are the advantages of the circular economy in vehicle conversion?
The main advantage is resource conservation. Instead of scrapping an entire vehicle and producing a new one, most of the vehicle is reused. This saves enormous amounts of CO₂, energy, and raw materials required for the production of a new chassis and body.
