Is there a retrofit solution that offers me better performance than the original diesel?
Up to 425 km of range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – without the cost of a new vehicle. Discover a retrofitting solution that not only surpasses the performance of your diesel but also saves your budget and the environment.
The topic briefly and concisely
A diesel-to-electric conversion offers superior performance compared to the original diesel, with a range of up to 425 km and instant torque.
Thanks to over 50% lower total cost of ownership (TCO), the conversion is more economical than a new purchase; state funding of up to 80% of the additional costs ran until 2024.
The continued use of the vehicle chassis in the sense of the circular economy conserves resources and saves a significant share of the CO₂ emissions of new production.
Rising diesel prices, strict climate regulations, and impending access restrictions are putting pressure on your fleet. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive further tightens the requirements for public and private fleet operators, demanding a quota of 38.5% for clean, light commercial vehicles by the end of 2025. Retrofitting is the pragmatic answer. You not only achieve better performance than the original diesel, but also conserve valuable resources through the principle of the circular economy. The federal KsNI funding covered up to 80% of the additional costs of a retrofit until 2024; it has been discontinued since August 2024, and no new funding calls are planned.
Pressure from Regulations: Why Action is Crucial Now
The EU Clean Vehicles Directive has been transposed into German law since August 2021. It obliges public contracting authorities to meet a procurement quota of 38.5% for low-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles by the end of 2025. For heavy commercial vehicles, the quota is 10%. These specifications affect municipalities and companies alike, making a future-proof fleet strategy inevitable. Time is pressing for a transition, as the first phase of the directive ends in just a few months. A patented conversion solution is the fastest answer here. Failure to comply with these quotas can lead to significant disadvantages in future tenders.
Your 4-point plan for economic electrification
A structured process ensures maximum benefits and a predictable implementation for you. Here are the four crucial steps:
Conduct Fleet Analysis: Evaluate your current routes and mileages. Our experts analyze free of charge which of your 15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters are eligible for a conversion first.
Calculate TCO Advantage: Determine your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Conversion often reduces operating costs by more than 50% compared to diesel.
Check and Classify Subsidies: The KsNI directive of the BMDV offered up to an 80% grant on the additional costs of conversion and 40% on charging infrastructure; it ran until 2024. We support you with the application process.
Plan Implementation: After the funding approval, the conversion of a vehicle takes only 10 working days. Plan ahead to modernize your fleet and increase driving comfort.
This clear roadmap makes the transition to e-mobility transparent and economically predictable.
Performance boost: How electric retrofitting outperforms diesel
Yes, there is a conversion solution that offers you better performance than the original diesel. The HEERO DTE-Sprinter achieves a range of up to 425 kilometers on a single charge. This significantly exceeds many diesel counterparts in urban delivery traffic. The electric motor also delivers an instantly available torque of 450 Nm, which enables noticeably better acceleration under load. In contrast to the diesel drive, the ride is almost silent and vibration-free, which considerably improves the daily work routine for drivers. The fast-charging capability with up to 135 kW DC ensures that the 96 kWh net battery is charged to 80% in under 40 minutes. This makes the most powerful electric van a real alternative.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting is Cheaper than Buying New
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is significantly lower for a converted electric van. Studies show that electric vans are up to 25% cheaper to operate per kilometer than comparable diesel models. Your savings are made up of several factors:
Energy costs: Electricity is significantly cheaper per kilometer than diesel, which can reduce your variable costs by over 60%.
Maintenance: An electric drive has up to 70% fewer moving parts, which drastically reduces maintenance costs.
Taxes & levies: You benefit from 10 years of vehicle tax exemption and lower CO₂ levies.
Value retention: You protect the investment in your expensive special bodies, which continue to be used 1:1.
This combination makes the Diesel-to-Electric conversion the most economical decision for your fleet.
Deadlines in review: 80% funding until 2024, no new call
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) heavily supported the transition to clean drives. Under the KsNI guideline, companies and municipalities received a funding rate of up to 80% of the additional investment costs of a retrofit. This high funding rate often made retrofitting cheaper than purchasing a new diesel vehicle. Additionally, the installation of the necessary charging infrastructure was part of the funding guideline. The crucial information for your planning: The guideline ran until 2024 and was discontinued in August 2024; projects that have already been approved will be fully funded. We clarify which programs are currently open on a case-by-case basis. With a professional funding analysis, you set the right course.
Charging infrastructure: The foundation for your e-fleet
A well-thought-out charging infrastructure is the key to the success of your electrified fleet. HEERO vehicles such as the eTransporter or the converted Sprinter charge as standard with up to 135 kW direct current (DC). The medium low-floor bus even supports charging capacities up to 165 kW. This makes it possible to charge a 96 kWh battery to 80% in around 40 minutes. For the set-up of non-public charging points on your company premises, we check which subsidy programs are still open for this. We advise you on whether a few DC fast chargers or a larger number of AC standard chargers for overnight charging make more sense for your deployment profile. The right charging infrastructure ensures maximum availability of your vehicles.
More useful links
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on the topic of climate protection in transport.
A publication by the Federal Environment Agency analyzes the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
The Federal Environment Agency confirms the climate advantage of electric cars in a press release.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action provides an input paper on the Roadmap 2045 for the transport sector.
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure provides information on charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles.
The Environment Agency Austria offers current news on the topic.
