Electrifying the complete KEP service fleet: More economical and future-proof than you think.
Rising diesel prices and impending driving bans are putting pressure on your KEP fleet. Complete electrification seems to be a huge hurdle, but it is the pragmatic solution for lower operating costs and guaranteed future viability. Discover how to strategically and economically transform your existing fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
The electrification of an entire KEP service fleet reduces operating costs (TCO) by up to 28% through lower energy and maintenance expenses.
The HEERO D2E conversion protects existing investments in expensive special constructions and avoids capital loss due to new purchases.
Electric fleets meet future CO2 limits and ensure unrestricted access to urban environmental zones.
For operators of a complete CEP service fleet, the economic pressure is growing every day. The CO2 tax will rise to 55 euros per ton in 2025, which will increase diesel prices by up to 16 cents per liter. At the same time, the EU is drastically tightening CO2 fleet limits from 2025, which will lead to high penalty payments if not met. Many logistics companies are faced with the challenge of making their fleets emission-free without losing their investments in costly special constructions. Heero offers a technologically leading and pragmatic solution with the patented D2E conversion and state-of-the-art new electric vehicles based on Sprinter to achieve both ecological and economic goals.
The economic necessity for the electrification of courier and express service fleets.
The KEP sector in Germany is a backbone of the economy with over 4.1 billion shipments annually. However, rising operating costs and regulatory pressure threaten profitability. Starting in 2025, the increased CO2 tax will noticeably raise the cost of every diesel kilometer driven. At the same time, access restrictions for diesel vehicles are becoming more common in city centers, complicating timely deliveries for around 260,500 industry employees. These factors make electrification not just an option, but a strategic necessity for every fleet operator. The challenge is to implement this change without straining capital commitments through the purchase of entirely new fleets. An analysis of the total operating costs highlights the way forward. The transition must account for the specific demands of the challenging KEP daily operations.
TCO analysis: Why e-transports are cheaper than diesel
The total cost of ownership (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) is the key metric for fleet managers. Studies show that electric transporters are already up to 28% cheaper per kilometer than comparable diesel models. This savings results from several factors:
Energy costs: The electricity costs per 100 kilometers are significantly lower than the expenses for diesel, even with volatile energy prices.
Maintenance and repair: Electric drives have significantly fewer wear parts than combustion engines, which reduces maintenance costs by up to 40%.
Taxes and fees: Electric vehicles benefit from tax exemptions and lower CO2 levies, which will continue to increase from 2025.
Government incentives: Programs like “Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure” (KsNI) reduce the initial investment costs.
The higher acquisition costs often pay off within 4 to 6 years. A detailed break-even analysis demonstrates long-term profitability. This makes the transition a calculable investment in the future of your fleet.
D2E retrofitting: Protecting existing values through circular economy
Your CEP fleet consists of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with expensive, custom-designed van or shelving conversions. A new purchase would mean losing these six-figure investments. This is exactly where the Heero D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric) comes in. We replace the diesel powertrain with our state-of-the-art electric drive while retaining the vehicle chassis and valuable structure. This circular economy approach is not only sustainable but also significantly preserves your capital. Within just 10 days, your reliable diesel Sprinter will become a powerful electric transporter with a range of up to 425 km. You retain your familiar vehicle base and protect your investment in special conversions. Learn more about how to convert your parcel transporter. This also avoids the often long lead times for new vehicles.
Performance in everyday KEP: Range and payload without compromises
The central question for any KEP service provider is the practicality. A vehicle failure or inadequate range costs real money. Our solutions based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter are designed for high loads in urban and regional delivery traffic. With a realistic range of up to 425 kilometers, our vehicles can easily handle demanding day trips with over 200 stops. The payload remains at the high level that you expect from the Sprinter. The following points guarantee operational safety:
Proven vehicle base: The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has been a guarantee of reliability in KEP operations for over 25 years.
Powerful drive: Our electric drive offers a confident acceleration that plays to its strengths, especially in stop-and-go traffic.
Intelligent energy management: Regeneration during braking recovers energy and increases the effective range in urban traffic by up to 15%.
Flexible charging options: The vehicles can be charged overnight at the depot or, if needed, at DC fast charging stations in under 60 minutes to 80%.
The performance of our electric vans is on par with diesel and surpasses it in terms of agility and noise generation. To avoid long delivery times, converting your existing fleet is the fastest solution. The best way to convince yourself is to conduct a practical test.
Meet legal requirements and avoid driving bans
The regulatory framework is becoming increasingly strict for fleet operators. From 2025, stricter EU CO2 fleet limits will come into effect, with high penalties for exceeding them. For light commercial vehicles, the limit will drop to 154 g CO2/km. Many German cities are also planning to expand zero-emission zones, which will become no-go areas for diesel transporters. An electrified complete KEP service fleet is the only guarantee to permanently overcome these hurdles. By retrofitting, you ensure unrestricted access to all city centers and meet the CO2 requirements for the next 10 years. This protects not only against fines but is also increasingly becoming a requirement for public tenders (B2G). Act now to protect your fleet from driving bans. This secures a significant competitive advantage.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO
The electrification of your entire CEP service fleet is a strategic decision for greater efficiency, sustainability, and future security. You can reduce your operating costs by up to 28% and effectively protect yourself against rising CO2 costs and impending driving bans. With the D2E conversion of your proven Sprinter fleet, you also secure your valuable structures and act in the spirit of a resource-conserving circular economy. Heero is your innovative partner, leading the way to an emissions-free logistics with technologically advanced solutions. We support you from analysis through strategic decision-making to integration into your fleet. Achieve your sustainability goals now. Request a personal consultation or book a daily test for free and experience the benefits for yourself.
More useful links
The Fraunhofer ISI offers a detailed study on the economic viability of electric commercial vehicles in urban freight transport.
The Federal Environment Agency provides comprehensive information on electromobility in freight transport.
FAQ
What does TCO mean and why is it important for my CEP fleet?
TCO stands for Total Cost of Ownership. This key figure includes all costs over the entire lifetime of a vehicle, including acquisition, energy, maintenance, taxes, and residual value. For CEP fleets, TCO is crucial because e-transporters are significantly cheaper to operate in the long run compared to diesel vehicles, despite higher acquisition costs.
What government subsidies are available for electrifying commercial vehicles?
In Germany, there are various funding programs from the federal and state governments, such as the program "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI). These programs offer grants for the purchase of e-commercial vehicles and the development of charging infrastructure. Heero will be happy to advise you on the current opportunities.
How long does it take to convert a diesel transporter to an electric drive?
The patented D2E conversion of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in our workshops usually takes only 10 working days. This way, your vehicle is quickly ready for use again.
Does the payload of my transporter remain the same after conversion?
Yes, our engineers design the conversion so that the original payload of the vehicle is largely retained. The exact specifications depend on the vehicle model and will be clarified with you in advance.
What charging infrastructure do I need at my depot?
For most CEP fleets, an AC charging infrastructure (wall boxes) is sufficient to fully charge the vehicles overnight. Heero analyzes your needs and advises you on the planning and installation of the appropriate charging solution, also taking into account funding programs.
How can I test the Heero e-transporters?
We offer a non-binding and free everyday test. You can try one of our vehicles in your own fleet and on your real routes to convince yourself of the performance and practicality. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
