Increase driving comfort for employees through continuous electric drive: A guide to retrofit.
Did you know that over 67% of Germans feel disturbed by traffic noise? A continuously variable electric drive not only reduces noise but significantly increases driving comfort and lowers your operating costs. Retrofitting your existing fleet is the pragmatic way to take advantage of these benefits before the current funding deadline expires on August 31, 2025.
The topic briefly and concisely
A continuously variable electric drive enhances driving comfort by eliminating gear shifts and engine vibrations, reducing driver fatigue.
Fleet operators can apply for a funding of 80% for the conversion from diesel to electric vehicles and 40% for charging infrastructure until August 31, 2025.
Retrofitting in terms of circular economy is often more economical (lower TCO) and resource-efficient than purchasing a new electric vehicle, especially for specialized builds.
The driving comfort for your employees is more than a luxury – it is a crucial factor for productivity and satisfaction. However, diesel engines generate noise, vibrations, and require constant gear changes, leading to fatigue. Transitioning to a continuous electric drive offers a direct solution. This article explains how you can significantly enhance driving comfort for your employees through a Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion, reduce operating costs (Total Cost of Ownership), and at the same time benefit from a government subsidy of 80%. We will show you in four clear steps how to make the transition pragmatic and economically sensible while utilizing the principles of the circular economy.
Beyond noise and vibration: The measurable benefits of electric drives for the driver
The transition to electromobility fundamentally improves the working conditions of your drivers. A continuously variable electric drive eliminates the constant vibrations and loud engine noise of a diesel, which according to the Federal Environment Agency leads to disturbances for two-thirds of the population. The result is a quiet workplace that promotes concentration and reduces stress by a proven 23%. The smooth acceleration without gear shifts ensures a relaxed driving experience, especially in stop-and-go traffic. This directly contributes to reducing illness-related absences caused by noise and stress. The EU Clean Vehicles Directive already calls for a reduction in emissions, with 10% of heavy-duty vehicles needing to be low-emission by 2025. Thus, the conversion is not only an investment in increasing driving comfort for employees by converting to a continuously variable electric drive, but also in the future viability of your fleet. This technological upgrade makes your company a more attractive employer in times of skilled labor shortages.
In 4 Steps to the Funded E-Fleet: Your Pragmatic Conversion Plan
Strategic planning ensures you maximum benefits with minimal effort. With this checklist, the transition will be completed on time by the end of funding on August 31, 2025:
Needs analysis and fleet check: Analyze the daily driving profiles and range requirements of your vehicles. A Heero DTE sprinter, for example, can achieve up to 425 km, which is sufficient for most urban and regional deployments.
Funding analysis: Check your eligibility for funding. The current BMDV directive subsidizes the DTE conversion with 80% of the additional costs and the construction of the charging infrastructure with 40%.
Economic forecast (TCO): Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership. Studies show that e-trucks are already cheaper than diesel over a five-year holding period thanks to lower energy and maintenance costs.
Implementation and commissioning: Plan the conversion and installation of the charging infrastructure. Heero ensures a quick retrofit so that you can electrify your fleet without long downtimes.
This structured process ensures that you not only enhance driving comfort but also leverage all economic and regulatory benefits.
Technology for Smooth Gliding: How the Continuously Variable Drive Works
The core of the superior driving experience lies in the continuously variable drive, also known as Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Unlike a conventional gearbox with fixed gears, it continuously adjusts the transmission without interruption of traction. For the driver, this means absolutely smooth acceleration, comparable to the start of a modern train. This technology increases efficiency by up to four percent because the engine always operates in the optimal RPM range. A Heero Tourer for nine people achieves a range of up to 400 km with its 110 kWh battery and efficient drivetrain. Fast charging at up to 135 kW ensures that the minibus is ready for the next stage in about 30 minutes. The conversion preserves the familiar chassis while elevating the drivetrain to a completely new level of comfort and efficiency, ideal for the transport of school or patient groups. This turns a noisy diesel into a quiet and powerful electric vehicle.
Cost comparison: Why retrofitting reduces the total cost of ownership
The initially higher investment costs of electrification are more than offset by lower operating costs. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), or total operating costs, is the decisive measure of profitability. A study by the ICCT shows that battery-electric trucks in Germany are already achieving TCO parity with diesel vehicles when considering subsidies. The savings come from several factors:
Energy costs: Electricity is significantly cheaper per kilometer than diesel, whose price will continue to rise due to CO₂ pricing.
Maintenance and repairs: An electric motor has up to 70% fewer moving parts than a combustion engine, which drastically reduces maintenance efforts.
Taxes and tolls: Electric commercial vehicles are currently exempt from truck tolls, representing a significant annual savings.
Subsidy: The grant of 80% on conversion costs brings the acquisition investment down to a minimum.
Especially for vehicles with expensive specialized bodies, such as film production vehicles or library buses, retrofitting is far superior to buying new. The analysis of TCO clearly shows that electrification is not only an ecological necessity but above all an economic one.
Deadlines and quotas: Act before the funding ends on August 31, 2025.
The regulatory pressure and financial incentives create a time window that fleet operators should take advantage of now. The current funding guideline of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is a central lever to reduce the costs of DTE retrofitting by 80%. However, applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025. At the same time, the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) obliges public authorities to meet fixed quotas for clean vehicles. By the end of 2025, 45% of new buses and 10% of trucks must be low-emission or emission-free. This quota will be tightened from 2026 to 65% for buses and 15% for trucks, with a significant proportion needing to be completely emission-free. Those who do not act now risk not only losing substantial subsidies but also facing difficulties in public procurement. Retrofitting is the fastest way to achieve compliance and secure maximum funding. Thus, modernizing your fleet becomes a predictable and profitable project.
Renovation instead of new purchase: A win for the environment and budget through circular economy
The decision to convert a diesel vehicle to electric is a clear commitment to a circular economy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle, its lifespan is extended by many years. This approach significantly reduces the demand for raw materials and energy that would be required to manufacture a completely new vehicle. A vehicle consists of over 200,000 individual parts; reusing the chassis, body, and interior saves tons of CO₂. A doubling of circularity in the economy could close the global emissions gap. Retrofitting a Sprinter avoids the production-related CO₂ emissions of a new vehicle, which can exceed 10 tons depending on the model. A comparison between purchasing new and electrification quickly makes it clear that retrofitting is the more ecologically and economically sensible choice. You not only conserve valuable resources but also save your budget. This sustainable approach enhances your image as a responsible company.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides general information on electric vehicles, including their definition, history, and technology.
ADAC provides information, tests, and models on electric transporters.
DIHK offers a guide to electromobility specifically for companies.
Statista delivers up-to-date statistics on the number of electric cars in Germany.
Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) informs about the funding program for climate protection and sustainability in transport (KSNI).
Umweltbundesamt provides a detailed analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV) highlights safety aspects of electromobility.
Fraunhofer IWKS provides a flyer on cycles in electromobility, including recycling and sustainability.
European Parliament informs about new EU regulations for more sustainable and ethically unproblematic batteries.
FAQ
What does “stepless electric drive” mean exactly?
A stepless drive has no fixed gears. It continuously adjusts the transmission to the driving situation. The result is seamless, uninterrupted acceleration that maximizes driving comfort and increases efficiency.
Which vehicles can be converted?
Heero specializes in converting Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles such as the Sprinter. This includes panel vans, flatbed trucks, and minibuses that serve as the basis for a variety of industry solutions.
How long does a diesel-to-electric conversion take?
The pure conversion process is designed for efficiency and usually takes only a few weeks. This minimizes the downtime of your vehicles compared to the long delivery time of a new vehicle.
What is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)?
The Total Cost of Ownership includes all costs incurred during the life of a vehicle: acquisition, energy, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and depreciation. For electric vehicles, the TCO is often lower than for diesel vehicles despite higher acquisition costs.
Do I have to handle the funding applications myself?
No, Heero actively supports you throughout the entire process. We offer a free funding analysis to check your subsidy options and accompany you in submitting applications on time by August 31, 2025.
Do I meet the Clean Vehicles Directive requirements with the conversion?
Yes. A vehicle converted to electric drive is considered a zero-emission vehicle and thus helps you meet the mandatory procurement quotas of the Clean Vehicles Directive (implemented in Germany through the SaubFahrzeugBeschG).
