Deadline August 31, 2025: Secure 80% funding for the retrofitting of your transport fleet.
Did you know that a diesel-to-electric conversion can give your vans a range of up to 425 km without the costs of a new vehicle? Time is running out: Government subsidies of 80% for the conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure expire on August 31, 2025.
The topic briefly and concisely
The funding period for an 80% grant for the e-conversion of vans ends on August 31, 2025.
Retrofitting (DTE) is often more cost-effective than purchasing new due to the retention of special installations and lower total operating costs (TCO).
The retrofit is an active contribution to the circular economy, saves production CO₂, and extends the lifecycle of existing vehicles.
Rising diesel prices, looming city driving bans, and the pressure from the Clean Vehicles Directive pose enormous challenges for fleet managers. Electrification is inevitable, yet investing in a completely new fleet is economically unfeasible for many companies. This is precisely where diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) comes in: it protects your capital, preserves the value of your proven specialized bodies, and secures the maximum government grants for you. This article shows you how to take action now, receive a firm cost estimate for the conversion of your van fleet, and optimize your total cost of ownership (TCO). Act pragmatically before the crucial funding deadline of August 31, 2025, passes.
Why the funding period on August 31, 2025 is crucial for your fleet.
The time for a strategic decision is now. The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) has set a funding rate of 80% for the conversion of vehicles and 40% for the establishment of charging infrastructure as part of the KsNI guideline (Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure). However, this extraordinarily high subsidy is limited in time. The deadline for submitting applications is August 31, 2025. Those who miss this date risk having to finance the conversion from their own funds. At the same time, the EU’s Clean Vehicles Directive tightens the requirements for public contracts and forces municipalities and their service providers to make their fleets emission-free. The directive already mandates that by the end of 2025, 38.8% of newly procured cars and light commercial vehicles must be “clean.” From 2026 onwards, even a zero-emission requirement applies to this category. A strategic transformation not only secures funding but also the future viability of your business. The combination of funding deadlines and legal pressure creates a unique opportunity that must be seized now.
Your 4-point plan for subsidized fleet electrification
The path to an e-fleet and the grant application is clearly structured and pragmatic. With this four-step plan, you will navigate safely through the process:
Needs analysis and grant check: Determine the exact needs of your fleet. How many vehicles cover which daily routes? Based on this data, we conduct a free grant analysis and identify the maximum subsidy potential for your business.
Technology and vehicle selection: Choose the right conversion solution. Heero offers conversions for various models with ranges of up to 425 km for the DTE Sprinter or up to 500 km for the eTransporter. All variants use a 96 kWh (net) battery and charge at up to 135 kW.
Cost estimate and TCO analysis: Here you will receive your fixed cost estimate for the conversion of your transporter fleet. We also create a detailed Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis that shows savings in energy, maintenance, and taxes over five years.
Application and implementation: With the final offer, we support you in the timely submission of grant applications to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) by August 31, 2025. After approval, we will begin with the conversion of your vehicles.
This structured approach gives you full cost control and planning security for the coming years.
Costs in plain language: Retrofitting costs more than buying new
The analysis of total cost of ownership (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) is the decisive factor in fleet modernization. It takes into account not only the purchase price but all costs over the entire lifespan of a vehicle. Studies show that battery-electric transporters can achieve a lower TCO today than diesel vehicles despite higher purchase costs. The reason lies in the energy costs being up to 70% lower and significantly lower maintenance expenses. The DTE retrofit amplifies this effect, as the most expensive part – a completely new vehicle – is eliminated. Your existing and often expensive special superstructures remain intact. With 80% funding for retrofit costs and 40% for charging infrastructure, the transition becomes the most economically sensible option. A comparison between purchasing and retrofitting shows that the payback period is often reduced to under three years due to the funding. Thus, a regulatory necessity becomes a business opportunity.
Sustainability through Circular Economy: The Smart Way
Retrofitting your existing fleet is an active contribution to the circular economy and resource conservation. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle with valuable equipment, its lifecycle is extended by many years. This approach avoids the CO₂ emissions and the enormous resource consumption associated with the production of a completely new transporter. A car is on average stationary 97% of the time, which makes the resources tied up in it inefficient. The DTE retrofitting is the opposite of the throwaway mentality. It preserves the value of your investment and transforms it into a future-proof, emission-free solution. For each retrofitted vehicle, you save several tons of CO₂ compared to purchasing a new one, solely from production. This approach not only strengthens your environmental performance but also positions your company as a responsible and innovative player in the market. Thus, the decision for a sustainable fleet modernization is also an investment in your brand. This lays the technical and financial foundation for a future-proof fleet.
Start your subsidy analysis: Answer three questions, receive your grant roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding.
For a free analysis
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More useful links
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides detailed information on the funding program for climate protection and sustainability in transport (KSNI).
At Statista, you can find current statistics on the fleet of trucks with alternative drives in Germany.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) publishes the annual balance of the vehicle fleet in Germany.
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on climate protection measures in the transport sector.
The funding guideline for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is available on the page of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) has the funding guidelines for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles available on its website.
The Öko-Institut publishes a blog post on the planning of truck charging infrastructure in large cities.
FAQ
Can my existing special construction be preserved in the conversion?
Yes, that is one of the biggest advantages of the Heero Diesel-to-Electric conversion. Your proven and often expensive special construction (e.g. refrigerated van, workshop equipment, lifting platform) remains completely intact and functional. We integrate the electric drive into your existing chassis.
How long does it take to convert a van?
The pure conversion time in our factory is designed for efficiency and usually takes only a few weeks. The exact duration depends on the workload and the specific vehicle model. Contact us for a precise timeline as part of your quote.
What guarantees are there on the conversion and the battery?
Heero offers comprehensive guarantees that are just like those of new vehicles. You receive a warranty on all drive components installed by us as well as a separate, long-term warranty on the performance of the battery. Exact details will be provided with your individual offer.
Does Heero assist with the application for funding?
Yes, we accompany you through the entire process. After creating the binding quote, we actively support you in compiling the documents and submitting the funding application to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) in due time to meet the deadline of August 31, 2025.
Is the conversion possible for individual vehicles or only for entire fleets?
We offer our conversion solutions for both individual strategically important vehicles and for the staggered conversion of entire fleets. Especially for craft businesses or specialized service providers with only one or a few vehicles, maintaining the value of the construction is crucial.
What happens when the funding deadline expires on August 31, 2025?
As things stand, the application deadline for the KsNI funding program with high subsidies of 80% ends on August 31, 2025. Whether there will be a successor program with similarly attractive conditions is uncertain. For financial planning security, it is highly recommended to submit an application before this deadline.
