Diesel driving bans: How to protect your van fleet through quick retrofitting
Imminent diesel driving bans in German city centers threaten the operational capability of your fleet and diminish the value of your vehicles. Expensive special bodies are particularly affected, as their replacement incurs high costs. Learn how to protect your fleet of diesel vans from driving bans through a quick retrofit while saving costs.
The topic briefly and concisely
Protect your diesel van fleet from driving bans with a quick retrofit in just 10 days, instead of waiting months for new vehicles.
Secure your investments in expensive special structures by continuing to use the proven base vehicle and only modernizing the drive.
Reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) by lowering energy and maintenance costs as well as government grants of up to 80%.
The increasing number of environmental zones and impending diesel bans in cities like Stuttgart, Darmstadt, and Munich pose a massive challenge for fleet operators. Vehicles, especially those with expensive special bodies, risk becoming unusable. This leads to a significant loss of value and endangers operational efficiency. HEERO offers a pragmatic and economically superior solution with the patented D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric). We convert your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to a powerful electric drive within just 10 days, thereby securing not only your investments but also making your fleet future-proof and sustainable.
The challenge: depreciation and stagnation due to diesel driving bans
Cities across Germany are tightening their access rules to improve air quality. For fleets with diesel vehicles from Euro standards 4 and 5, this poses an acute danger: In zones like Stuttgart or Darmstadt, fines of over 100 euros per violation are already looming today. The risk affects not only daily operational planning but also directly threatens the value of your fleet. A diesel van that becomes unusable for urban delivery traffic or municipal tasks loses significant value. The situation is particularly critical for companies and municipalities that have invested in expensive specialized vehicles – from refrigerated vehicles to workshop vans to waste collection vehicles. A new purchase would quickly incur costs of over 100,000 euros per vehicle. This development forces a rapid rethinking to keep the fleet operational.
The solution: Quick D2E conversion instead of lengthy new purchases
Instead of waiting for new e-vans with long delivery times often over 12 months, Heero offers an immediately available alternative. With our patented D2E conversion, we transform your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter into state-of-the-art electric vehicles in just 10 days. This process not only protects your investment in the base vehicle and its special construction but also makes your fleet immediately operational in all environmental zones again. Our converted Sprinter impress with a practical range of up to 425 km and the full performance you expect from a Mercedes-Benz. For logistics companies and craftsmen, this means planning security and the avoidance of operational disruptions. The rapid conversion is the pragmatic way to circumvent driving bans.
Focusing on cost-effectiveness: Analyzing the TCO advantages of retrofitting
The decision to retrofit is primarily an economically wise one. An analysis of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) shows that retrofitted e-transporter are cost-effective in the long run compared to their diesel counterparts. The higher acquisition costs for new electric vehicles are avoided through retrofitting, while you simultaneously benefit from lower operating costs. The advantages are significant:
Energy costs: The electricity costs per 100 kilometers are significantly lower than the expenses for diesel.
Maintenance: Electric drives have fewer wear parts, reducing maintenance costs by up to 50%.
Taxes & Tolls: Electric vehicles are exempt from truck tolls until the end of 2025 and enjoy 10 years of exemption from vehicle tax.
Subsidies: Government programs subsidize the retrofitting of commercial vehicles by up to 80% of the costs.
By lowering your total costs of your fleet, the investment in electrification often pays off within a few years. Thus, a regulatory necessity becomes a tangible competitive advantage.
Sustainability through circular economy: Preserving what exists instead of producing new
Retrofitting your existing fleet is an active contribution to the circular economy and conserves valuable resources. A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is designed for a very high mileage of often over 500,000 kilometers. Instead of scrapping a fully functional chassis and an intact superstructure, we give it a second, emissions-free life. This approach avoids the enormous CO2 emissions and resource consumption that occur during the production of a completely new vehicle. A study shows that up to 20 percent of the total CO2 emissions of a vehicle's life occur during production. By choosing retrofitting, you not only act economically but also ecologically responsibly and can achieve your sustainability goals more quickly. Continued use is the smartest form of recycling. This pragmatic approach is ideal for future-oriented fleet managers.
Who is the retrofit the optimal strategy for?
The D2E retrofit from HEERO is the ideal solution for a variety of fleet operators who want to protect their diesel vans from driving bans and future-proof them. Especially benefiting:
Municipalities and cities: For waste collection, green space maintenance, or urban logistics with expensive special vehicles, the retrofit is the most economical method to comply with new environmental regulations.
Logistics companies: Companies in delivery traffic ensure unrestricted access to city centers while simultaneously reducing their operating costs per kilometer.
Craft businesses: The perfectly equipped workshop van on a Sprinter basis can continue to be used without compromise, and the investment in the expansion remains fully retained.
Companies with specialized bodies: Whether it's a refrigerated transporter, construction site vehicle, or event mobile – where the body determines the value of the vehicle, the retrofit is clearly superior to a new purchase.
Our solution enables municipal and commercial vehicles to be modernized efficiently. If you want to maximize the lifespan and value of your fleet, now is the right time to act.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO
Protecting the fleet with diesel vans from driving bans through rapid retrofitting is not a compromise, but a strategic decision for cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and performance. HEERO offers you a proven solution that secures the value of your fleet and reduces your operating costs. Instead of investing in expensive new vehicles and accepting long delivery times, we make your proven Sprinters ready for the emission-free future in just 10 days. As an innovative partner for B2B and B2G customers, we stand for technological leadership and pragmatic solutions. Experience the benefits yourself. Request your personal consultation now or book a daily test free of charge.
More useful links
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on environmental zones in Germany, particulate matter, and air pollutants.
The German Bundestag provides a document (reference number WD 7 - 238/18) on the topic of environmental zones.
The Federal Administrative Court informs in a press release about judgments and decisions on the topic of environmental zones.
The GIS application of the Federal Environment Agency offers interactive maps and detailed information on environmental zones in Germany.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment provides official information on environmental zones and the environmental badge.
The German Bundestag offers another document (reference number WD-8-056-21) on relevant topics in the field of environment and traffic.
Statista presents current statistics on the number of trucks with alternative drives in Germany.
The National Control Centre for Charging Infrastructure provides specific information and recommendations on commercial vehicles and their charging infrastructure.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport provides comprehensive information on commercial vehicles with alternative drives and measures for climate protection in transportation.
FAQ
How do I protect my fleet from impending diesel driving bans?
The most effective method is retrofitting your existing vehicles with an emissions-free electric drive. This guarantees you unrestricted access to all environmental zones and is faster and more economical than purchasing new electric vehicles, especially if you use special bodies.
What is a D2E retrofit?
D2E stands for Diesel-to-Electric. In this procedure patented by Heero, the diesel engine and drivetrain are removed from your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and replaced with a state-of-the-art, purely electric drivetrain. The chassis and body of the vehicle remain intact.
What range does a Sprinter retrofitted by Heero have?
A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter retrofitted by Heero achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers, which is more than sufficient for most applications in urban and regional logistics, crafts, or municipalities.
Will the payload of my van remain the same after retrofitting?
We design the retrofit to best preserve the payload of your vehicle and meet the requirements of your operations. The exact payload after retrofitting depends on the specific vehicle model and configuration and will be planned with you in detail beforehand.
Why is retrofitting more sustainable than buying new?
Retrofitting is a prime example of the circular economy. It avoids the CO2 emissions and resource consumption that occur during the manufacture of an entirely new vehicle. You extend the lifespan of an existing, high-quality vehicle, thus reducing waste and environmental impact.
How can I get an offer for retrofitting my fleet?
Simply contact us through our website to request a free and non-binding consultation. Our team of experts will analyze your fleet and requirements and provide you with a tailored offer. You can also book a free everyday test to see the performance for yourself.
