Funding expired: What the 80% subsidy for retrofitting your van fleet achieved until 2024
Did you know that retrofitting can give your vans a range of up to 425 km, without the cost of a new vehicle? The government's KsNI subsidy covered up to 80% of the additional conversion costs until 2024; since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned.
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The topic briefly and concisely
The funding deadline for the 80% subsidy for the electric conversion of vans expired in 2024; no new funding calls are planned.
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 of the Clean Vehicles Directive present fleet managers with enormous challenges. Electrification is inevitable, but investing in a completely new fleet is not financially viable for many companies. This is precisely where repowering comes in: it preserves your capital, maintains the value of your proven special bodies, and structures government subsidies properly. This article shows you how to proceed, obtain a firm cost estimate for repowering your van fleet, and optimize your Total Cost of Ownership. The federal KsNI funding program ran until 2024; no new funding calls are planned.
Why the expired subsidy deadline remains crucial for your fleet planning
For a strategic decision, the proven status is what matters. Under the KsNI directive (Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure), the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) had set a funding rate of up to 80% for vehicle conversions; the installation of charging infrastructure was also eligible for funding. This exceptionally high subsidy was limited in time. The KsNI funding ran until 2024; no new calls for funding are planned, and projects that have already been approved will be fully funded. Anyone converting today generally calculates the conversion using their own funds. At the same time, the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive is tightening the requirements for public contracts and forcing municipalities and their service providers to make their fleets emission-free. The directive already stipulates that by the end of 2025, 38.8% of newly procured passenger cars and light commercial vehicles must be "clean." From 2026, a zero-emission requirement will even apply to this category. A strategic conversion secures the future viability of your business. The legal pressure remains; we will clarify on a case-by-case basis which funding programs are currently open.
4-point plan for fleet electrification: funding situation until 2024
The path to an electric fleet and the funding application is clearly structured and pragmatic. Navigate safely through the process with this four-point plan:
Needs Analysis and Subsidy Check: Determine the exact needs of your fleet. How many vehicles cover which daily distances? Based on this data, we conduct a free subsidy analysis and identify the maximum grant potential for your company.
Technology and Vehicle Selection: Choose the appropriate conversion solution. HEERO offers conversions for various models with ranges of up to 425 km or up to 500 km. 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 van fleet. We also prepare a detailed Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, which shows savings in energy, maintenance, and taxes over five years.
Application and Implementation: With the final offer, we assist you in submitting the funding applications to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) as soon as a program is open. Applications under the KsNI directive were possible until 2024. After approval, we 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 the 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 vans can already achieve a lower TCO than diesel vehicles today, despite higher purchase costs. The reason lies in energy costs that are up to 70% lower and significantly lower maintenance expenses. The DTE conversion reinforces this effect, as the most expensive part – a completely new vehicle – is eliminated. Your existing and often expensive special bodies are retained. With the KsNI funding of up to 80% for the additional costs of the conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure, the transition was the most economically sensible option until 2024. A comparison between purchase and conversion showed that the amortization period often fell to under three years due to the funding. Thus, a regulatory necessity became a business opportunity.
Sustainability through Circular Economy: The Smart Way
Converting your existing fleet is an active contribution to the circular economy and resource conservation. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle with a valuable body, its life cycle is extended by many years. This approach avoids the CO₂ emissions and the enormous consumption of resources associated with the production of a completely new van. A passenger car is stationary for an average of 97% of the time, making the resources tied up in it inefficient. Retrofitting is the opposite of the throwaway mentality. It preserves the value of your investment and transforms it into a future-proof, locally emission-free solution. For every converted vehicle, you save several tons of CO₂ compared to a new purchase from production alone. This approach not only strengthens your environmental balance, but also positions your company as a responsible and innovative player in the market. Deciding on a sustainable fleet modernization is therefore 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 and receive your subsidy roadmap with the current status of the funding programs.
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More useful links
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides detailed information on the Climate Protection and Sustainability in Transport (KSNI) funding program.
At Statista you will find current statistics on the inventory of trucks with alternative drivetrains in Germany.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) publishes the annual balance of the vehicle stock in Germany.
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on climate protection measures in the transport sector.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) offers an article on the subject of electromobility.
The funding guideline for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is available on the website of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
The Öko-Institut publishes a blog post on the planning of truck charging infrastructure in major cities.
