Electric flatbed trucks: Achieving the TCO turnaround – the 80% subsidy ran until 2024
Up to 425 km range after an upgrade – completely without the costs of a new vehicle. In view of rising diesel prices, the fleet remains under pressure; funding was available until 2024 with up to 80% of the additional costs. This article provides you with a clear, actionable plan for electrifying your fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
The 80% subsidy for electric flatbed trucks and their conversion ran until 2024; no new funding calls are planned.
The Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion conserves investments in expensive specialized setups and significantly reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO).
Modern electric pickup trucks like those from HEERO offer full practicality for commercial use with a range of up to 400 km and 135 kW fast charging.
The electrification of commercial vehicles is no longer a vision of the future, but a business necessity. High operating costs, strict climate regulations such as the Clean Vehicles Directive, and looming diesel driving bans in city centers now require strategic action. The electric flatbed truck, in particular, is becoming a focus for municipalities, trade, and logistics. The decisive question is no longer whether, but how the transition succeeds. The funding rate of up to 80% for vehicles and conversions by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) was valid until 2024; new funding calls are not planned. The conversion of existing vehicles remains, independently of this, an economically viable option. This guide shows you how to set the course for a future-proof and economical fleet.
The countdown is on: Why now is the right time for your electric flatbed truck
Federal funding has supported the electrification of commercial fleets for years – including for vehicles like your electric flatbed truck. The BMDV's KsNI funding program covered up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a comparable diesel. This funding guideline ran until 2024, and no new calls for funding are planned. At the same time, the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), the German implementation of the Clean Vehicles Directive, tightens the requirements for public fleets. This directive already prescribes fixed quotas for low-emission vehicles for new acquisitions today. The pressure to act is therefore increasing due to a combination of expired subsidies and rising regulatory hurdles. A clear plan helps you to master this challenge confidently and to make your fleet economically fit for locally emission-free operation. The following steps show you how to set the right course.
Your 4-point action plan for electrification
A structured approach is the key to success. With this checklist, you can navigate safely through the transition process:
Conduct a needs analysis: Analyze the daily routes and average payload of your flatbed trucks. HEERO eFlatbed trucks with a range of up to 400 km cover most application profiles in trade, municipalities, and logistics.
Check and classify subsidies: The KsNI program offered up to an 80% subsidy on the additional costs of a new vehicle or conversion, as well as 40% on the charging infrastructure. It ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned.
Calculate cost-effectiveness: Conduct a TCO analysis. The Total Cost of Ownership covers all costs over the lifespan – from acquisition, energy, and maintenance to residual value.
Plan charging infrastructure: Evaluate the possibilities for depot charging at your company yard. DC fast charging with up to 135 kW ensures that your electric flatbed truck is fully ready for use again after a short time.
The financial evaluation is often the decisive point at which the advantages of electromobility become clear.
Funding pots in detail: What the 80% subsidy covered until 2024
The funding landscape was a decisive driver for fleet electrification. The "Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) program of the BMDV was the central instrument here. It subsidized the additional costs incurred when purchasing an electric commercial vehicle compared to a diesel vehicle with a rate of up to 80%. This high subsidy also applied explicitly to diesel-to-electric conversion, enabling the protection of your existing investments. In addition, the development of non-public charging infrastructure was funded with 40% of the costs. These subsidies drastically lowered the initial investment barrier and accelerated amortization. The KsNI guideline ran until 2024; no new funding calls are planned since August 2024. But funding is only one part of the equation; long-term operating costs are the other lever for your profitability.
TCO comparison: When an electric flatbed truck is worth it
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the decisive key figure for the cost-effectiveness of a commercial vehicle. While the acquisition costs for an electric flatbed truck are higher, the KsNI subsidy compensated for them up to 2024 with up to 80% of the additional costs. The true advantages of conversion or new purchase become apparent during ongoing operation. Studies prove that the TCO tipping point, at which electric vehicles become cheaper than diesel, has already been reached in many segments.
Energy costs: Electricity prices are more stable compared to volatile diesel prices and are significantly lower per kilometer.
Maintenance costs: An electric motor has significantly fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine, which reduces maintenance costs by up to 50%.
Taxes & levies: Electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax for ten years and are not subject to CO₂ pricing.
CO₂ savings: The conversion leads to a direct reduction of CO₂ emissions during operation by 100%, which benefits not only the environment but also your sustainability report.
The transition becomes particularly sustainable when you do not replace a proven vehicle, but give it a second life instead.
Renovation instead of new purchase: The path of the circular economy
Your existing flatbed trucks, often equipped with expensive and proven specialized bodies, are a valuable asset. A conversion is the epitome of the circular economy and conserves valuable resources. Instead of scrapping an entire vehicle, only the drivetrain is replaced. Your chassis, the cab, and above all the body are preserved. This approach not only saves a significant portion of the CO₂ emissions that would be generated during the production of a new vehicle, but is also highly economically attractive. After conversion, a HEERO Sprinter achieves a practical range of up to 425 km. The 80 percent KsNI funding also applied to this conversion measure, making it a pragmatic and cost-efficient solution for many businesses until 2024. Such a technological transformation naturally requires a robust and field-tested technical basis.
Technology in focus: range, battery, and charging performance
The practicality of an electric flatbed vehicle depends on three core components. HEERO focuses here on an uncompromising design for commercial use. The HEERO electric flatbed, available as a single or double cab, offers a range of up to 400 km. This distance is made possible by a battery with 110 kWh gross and 96 kWh net capacity. This reliably covers the typical daily workload of municipal operations, landscaping companies, or logistics providers. For minimal downtime, the DC fast charging capacity of up to 135 kW ensures rapid recovery. At a compatible charging station, the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in about 45 minutes. These performance data establish the necessary operational reliability for a smooth working day. This clears the way to concretely address the electrification of your fleet now.
More useful links
Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM) provides detailed information on the Climate Protection and Sustainability in Transport (KsNI) funding program.
The ICCT (International Council on Clean Transportation) provides a fact sheet on the total cost of ownership of battery-electric trucks in Europe, with a focus on Germany.
Strategy& (PwC) publishes a press release on the breakthrough of e-trucks.
The Nationale Leitstelle Ladeinfrastruktur provides information on the subject of commercial vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The Umweltbundesamt has published an analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
On the topic page of the Umweltbundesamt you will find comprehensive information on the topic of electromobility.
