Municipal vehicles with flatbed: Secure 80% funding for electric conversion by August 31, 2025.
Your municipality is faced with the challenge of replacing expensive special setups on flatbed trucks to achieve climate goals? A diesel-to-electric conversion not only protects your investments but also reduces operating costs by up to 70%.
The topic briefly and concisely
Communities can receive up to 80% funding for the retrofitting of their flatbed vehicles to electric drive, but must submit applications by August 31, 2025.
Retrofitting (DTE) is often more economical than purchasing new, as expensive special structures are retained and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) decreases.
The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) establishes a legal framework that requires municipalities to procure emission-free vehicles such as converted municipal vehicles with trucks.
Municipal fleets are under double pressure: Rising diesel prices strain budgets, while the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) mandates binding quotas for zero-emission vehicles. For many cities and municipalities, purchasing new electric vehicles seems to be the only way forward, but it is often uneconomical, especially for expensive specialized structures. A much more pragmatic solution is to retrofit proven municipal vehicles with flatbeds. This approach not only conserves the budget but also promotes the circular economy and ensures compliance with legal requirements with up to 80% government funding.
Legal pressure to act: Understanding the Clean Vehicles Directive
Since August 2021, the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG) implements the EU-wide Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) into German law. Public procurers, such as municipalities, are therefore subject to binding minimum quotas for the procurement of new vehicles. In the first reference period until the end of 2025, 10% of new heavy-duty vehicles and 38.5% of light commercial vehicles must be low-emission. These requirements make it impossible to maintain pure diesel fleets. The regulations affect both direct purchases and leasing contracts and service orders, such as in green space maintenance or waste disposal. Failure to meet the quotas can lead to legal consequences, making strategic fleet planning essential. The conversion of existing electric flatbed trucks is an accepted measure to fulfill these quotas.
Focusing on Economic Efficiency: Reassessing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The total cost of ownership (TCO) includes all costs over the lifespan of a vehicle, not just the purchase price. A study from the University of Exeter shows that the TCO tipping point, at which electric vehicles become cheaper than diesel, has already been reached in many segments. Electric drives have significantly lower operating and maintenance costs, as fewer moving parts wear out and oil changes are eliminated. While the acquisition costs for new electric vehicles are high, retrofitting fundamentally changes the calculation. They eliminate the largest cost blocks of a new purchase: chassis and special structure. The combination of lower energy costs, reduced maintenance effort, and government support makes retrofitting utility vehicles with a flatbed the economically superior alternative.
Practically implement circular economy: The diesel-to-electric (DTE) conversion
The Diesel-to-Electric Conversion (DTE) is the core of a sustainable fleet strategy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle, the combustion engine is replaced with a modern electric drive. This process preserves the value of your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, including the expensive flatbed structure. Heero converts your vehicles within just ten days. The result is an eFlatbed with a range of up to 400 kilometers and a battery capacity of 96 kWh net. This approach not only reduces waste but also saves the CO₂ emissions that would occur during the production of a new vehicle. The conversion is thus an active contribution to the circular economy and resource conservation. This way, your proven municipal vehicle with a flatbed is future-proof.
Your 4-point plan for on-time electrification
The time until the funding ends on August 31, 2025 is limited. By following a structured approach, you ensure maximum funding for your municipal vehicle with flatbed:
Conduct needs analysis: Record the daily driving profiles and requirements of your flatbed vehicles (e.g., for the municipal building yard). How many kilometers are covered per day and what loads are transported?
Check funding opportunities: Have experts analyze your specific situation. The KsNI guideline offers up to 80% subsidy on conversion costs and 40% on charging infrastructure.
Calculate cost-effectiveness: Request a detailed TCO analysis that compares your current diesel costs with the projected costs after conversion. Consider energy, maintenance, taxes, and grants.
Plan implementation: Secure fixed conversion dates and plan the necessary charging infrastructure. A HEERO e-flatbed truck can fast charge with up to 135 kW, which makes deployment planning flexible.
This pragmatic approach ensures that you meet all deadlines and modernize your fleet efficiently.
Make optimal use of funding pots: The KsNI guideline until August 2025
The funding program "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) of the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) is the central instrument for financing your fleet conversion. It subsidizes the additional costs of a DTE conversion compared to a diesel reference vehicle by up to 80%. The establishment of the necessary charging infrastructure is also subsidized by 40% of the costs. The crucial point is the application deadline: All applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025. In view of the administrative lead time, swift action is required. The funding applies to light and heavy commercial vehicles and is therefore ideal for municipal dump trucks and flatbed trucks. Don’t wait until funds are exhausted. Start planning now to contribute to air quality improvement through conversion.
Technical performance in municipal use
A retrofitted municipal vehicle with a flatbed must function reliably in everyday life. The Heero technology is based on the robust Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and is optimized for professional use.
Range: Up to 400 km on a single charge (double cab & single cab).
Battery: 110 kWh gross / 96 kWh net capacity for maximum durability.
Charging power: Standard up to 135 kW at DC fast charging stations for short downtimes.
Payload: The conversion is designed to maintain a high payload, ideal for horticulture and landscaping.
Drive power: The electric drive offers high torque right from the start, making it easier to drive with full load.
These performance data ensure that your retrofitted fleet, for example for a nursery with flatbed trucks, is up to the daily challenges without compromise.
More useful links
Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport provides information on the funding guideline for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Federal Ministry for Transport offers general information on electromobility in Germany.
German Bundestag provides a document on a topic in the field of transport or electromobility.
Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) informs about the funding program for climate protection and sustainability in the domestic sphere (KSNI).
Federal Environment Agency offers information on climate protection in transport.
EU Commission publishes a press release on the planned regulation regarding the recycling of vehicles within the framework of the circular economy.
Federal Environment Agency provides information on the recovery and disposal of end-of-life vehicles.
Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) offers statistics on new registrations of passenger cars in Germany.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for KsNI funding?
Eligible to apply for funding under the KsNI guidelines are companies engaged in freight transport, as well as companies with proprietary transport, including municipalities and municipal enterprises that operate commercial vehicles for their own purposes.
What happens to the manufacturer's warranty of the base vehicle?
The conversion is carried out by specialized professional workshops. Heero assumes the warranty for the electric drive train and all converted components. The warranty for untouched vehicle parts from the original manufacturer generally remains in place.
Can any flatbed be converted?
Heero specializes in the conversion of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles. This enables a standardized and high-quality process. Whether your specific model is suitable will be clarified in a free analysis.
What charging infrastructure is needed for an electric flatbed truck?
For maximum flexibility, a DC fast charging station with up to 135 kW is recommended, which is also subsidized at 40%. For overnight charging at the depot, an AC wallbox with lower charging capacity is often sufficient.
What are the benefits of the circular economy with the DTE conversion?
The main advantage is the continued use of the entire vehicle chassis and expensive superstructure. This saves enormous amounts of resources and CO₂ that would be incurred in manufacturing an entirely new vehicle, thereby benefiting both the environment and the budget.
How safe is a converted electric vehicle?
Converted vehicles undergo rigorous safety inspections that meet the standards of new vehicles. DEKRA engineers and other testing organizations confirm that the vehicles must meet fundamental safety and quality standards.
