Electric conversion for commercial vehicles: What to know about the 80% subsidy until 2024
Up to 425 km range after an upgrade – without the cost of a new vehicle. In light of rising diesel prices, it remains the right time to make your fleet future-proof; the federal funding period expired in 2024.
The topic briefly and concisely
The deadline for applying for the 80% subsidy for the electric conversion of commercial vehicles expired in 2024; new calls for funding are not planned.
An electric conversion (DTE) is often more economical than a new purchase (lower TCO) due to the preservation of the value of specialized installations and lower operating costs.
Modern retrofitted e-transports can achieve ranges of up to 500 km and can be charged to 80% in about 30 minutes thanks to 135 kW DC charging.
The pressure on fleet operators is growing: strict EU regulations such as the Clean Vehicles Directive, rising operating costs, and the unavoidable transition to sustainability demand strategic decisions. A complete new purchase of the fleet is often uneconomical, especially when expensive special bodies are in use. Professional electric conversion offers a pragmatic and economically superior solution here. It not only secures the value of your existing vehicles, but was also at the center of government subsidies of up to 80% – however, this KsNI funding ran until 2024, and no new calls for funding are planned. This article shows you how to strategically plan the conversion and realistically classify potential subsidies.
Your strategic advantage: The key facts about the electric conversion
An electric conversion is more than just a technical retrofitting; it is a strategic investment in the future viability of your fleet. Switching from diesel to electric drive not only protects your budget, but also secures the value of your existing vehicles. This allows you to meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations and position your company as a pioneer.
80% funding rate in retrospect: The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) subsidized vehicle conversion via the KsNI directive with up to 80% of the additional costs; this directive ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned.
Performance without compromise: A converted HEERO DTE-Sprinter achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers on a single battery charge.
Sustainability through a circular economy: Instead of a resource-intensive new purchase, the electric car conversion extends the service life of your vehicles and saves tons of CO₂.
Acting in compliance with the law: Retrofitting helps to meet the procurement quotas of the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG) and the Clean Vehicles Directive.
These facts show that electrification must be economically viable, even when major funding windows are closed.
From cost pressure to action plan: Your 4-point checklist for the conversion
The hurdles of electrification – bureaucracy, high diesel prices, and complex climate targets – present a challenge for many companies. A structured plan transforms these hurdles into clear next steps. With this checklist, you can navigate safely through the process.
Conduct subsidy analysis: Evaluate the BMDV's KsNI subsidy, which funded up to 80% of the additional costs for electric conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure. The directive ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned.
Calculate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Analyze the total costs. Electric conversion often beats purchasing a new vehicle due to lower operating costs and the preservation of your specialized bodies. Compare your options with a detailed TCO analysis.
Define the suitable vehicle profile: Choose the right combination of battery and range for your specific application scenarios, from the HEERO eTransporter with up to 500 km to the stärksten E-Transporter for heavy loads.
Plan charging infrastructure intelligently: Determine the required charging power (e.g., up to 165 kW DC fast charging) and plan the installation at your business site; the charging infrastructure was eligible for up to 40% funding.
With this pragmatic approach, the transition becomes plannable and economically successful.
Classifying funding pots: What the 80% subsidy for the electric conversion covered until 2024
The funding landscape has significantly reduced the costs for electric conversion over the years. According to the BMDV's KsNI funding directive, up to 80% of the additional investment costs for a retrofit or the acquisition of an electric commercial vehicle were covered until 2024. In parallel, the necessary charging infrastructure was subsidized at 40%. This funding was a decisive lever to significantly shorten the payback period. Since August 2024, however, the directive has been discontinued: new funding calls are not planned. These programs were not handouts, but a political instrument to achieve the demanding targets of the EU Clean Vehicles Directive. They supported companies in meeting the legally required quotas for clean vehicles without jeopardizing their own competitiveness. A professional conversion process ensures that all technical requirements for funding eligibility are met. However, funding alone is not everything; long-term economic efficiency must be equally convincing.
TCO comparison: Why the electric conversion surpasses the purchase of a new vehicle
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the decisive key figure for fleet managers. In addition to acquisition, it includes energy, maintenance, taxes and loss of value. An electric conversion is often the economically wiser choice here compared to buying a new e-transporter. The biggest advantage lies in preserving the value of your existing vehicles, especially in the case of expensive special bodies that take a long time to procure. Instead of disposing of a proven vehicle with a refrigerated box or workshop equipment, its life cycle is extended. The investment is focused purely on the drivetrain. Studies show that e-vehicles are cheaper to operate in the long term than diesel due to lower energy and maintenance costs. The combination of lower operating costs and the preservation of vehicle value makes the electric conversion the most profitable option. A solid cost basis is important, but technical performance in everyday life is just as crucial.
Performance without compromise: Range and charging performance in detail
The practical suitability of an electric commercial vehicle depends on range and charging time. Modern conversions offer impressive values here that are more than sufficient for most application profiles. HEERO relies on high-performance and durable components to ensure the maximum productivity of your fleet.
HEERO eTransporter: Up to 500 km range for distribution transport.
HEERO DTE-Sprinter: Up to 425 km range, ideal for trade and service.
HEERO Bus-Lösungen: Up to 300 km range for urban and regional transport.
Standard-Batterie: 110 kWh gross capacity (96 kWh net) for most models.
Bus-Batterie (Mittelniederflur): 137 kWh gross capacity (115 kWh net) for maximum passenger capacity.
DC-Schnellladung: Up to 135 kW as standard, and even up to 165 kW for the low-floor bus. This means the battery is 80% charged in about 30 minutes.
These technological key figures prove that a Umbau Ihrer Bestandsflotte does not mean any compromises in performance. Rather, it is a clear commitment to the circular economy and the sustainable extension of the service life of your valuable vehicles.
Your next step: a free analysis of your funding opportunities
The transition to electromobility is a clear entrepreneurial necessity, driven by legal requirements and economic rationality. The electric conversion offers the most pragmatic and profitable way to make your fleet future-proof, reduce TCO, and cleanly categorize the funding situation. You not only meet the requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive, but also make a measurable contribution to climate protection through CO₂ savings. The federal KsNI funding ran until 2024; the pressure to act from regulation remains.
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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.
The German Bundestag provides information in a brief report on relevant developments in the field of electromobility.
e-mobil BW provides current information on funding for e-trucks and the associated charging infrastructure.
The Federal Funding Database (BMWi) offers comprehensive details on the funding program "E-Nutzfahrzeug-Anwendungen und Infrastrukturen".
The KfW provides an overview of various funding opportunities for companies in the field of sustainable mobility.
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure provides important information on the topic of commercial vehicles and their charging infrastructure.
The Stuttgart Chamber of Skilled Crafts informs craft businesses about the most important funding programs in the field of electromobility.
The Federal Environment Agency publishes a detailed analysis on the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
