Converting Mercedes commercial vehicles to electric: secure 80% funding until August 31, 2025.
Secure up to 425 km range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade while avoiding new vehicle costs? The electrification of your Mercedes commercial vehicles is more economical than ever. Act before the funding deadline on August 31, 2025, and sustainably reduce your operating costs.
The topic briefly and concisely
Until August 31, 2025, companies can apply for an 80% subsidy for converting Mercedes commercial vehicles to electric and 40% for charging infrastructure.
The diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) saves budgets by allowing the continued use of expensive special setups often worth over €50,000.
Electric commercial vehicles reduce total operating costs (TCO) by up to 15% through lower energy and maintenance costs, as well as savings on tolls and taxes.
The transition to electric commercial vehicles is essential for fleet operators. Rising diesel prices, strict climate regulations imposed by the Clean Vehicles Directive, and impending city driving bans create pressure to act. At the same time, bureaucracy and high initial investments pose a hurdle. This is exactly where we come in: By retrofitting your existing Mercedes commercial vehicles to electric drive, you protect your investments in costly special superstructures. This guide pragmatically shows you how to lower your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) with a Diesel-to-Electric retrofitting (DTE) and benefit from 80% government funding before the deadline on August 31, 2025.
Your 4-point action plan for timely fleet electrification
The transition to electric Mercedes commercial vehicles requires strategic planning to take advantage of all benefits by the funding deadline of August 31, 2025. High subsidies of up to 80% on vehicle conversions and 40% on charging infrastructure make the switch particularly attractive right now. The following checklist will guide you through the four crucial steps.
Check deadlines and subsidies: Analyze the BMDV funding guidelines and secure an 80% grant for vehicle conversion.
Define need and solution: Decide between a certified conversion (DTE) and a new purchase. A conversion protects your existing specialized superstructures worth often over 50,000 euros.
Calculate total costs (TCO): Compare the Total Cost of Ownership. Electric vehicles score with up to 15% lower overall costs due to toll exemptions and lower maintenance.
Plan charging infrastructure: Dimension your charging infrastructure to match your fleet. Our models charge with up to 165 kW in under 45 minutes to 80%.
This structured approach not only secures you maximum subsidies but also lays the foundation for an economically and ecologically sustainable fleet. The next step is a detailed examination of the available funding pots.
Optimize funding pots: Up to 80% subsidy for vehicles and infrastructure
The federal government is specifically supporting the switch to clean drives with high subsidies. The basis is the funding guideline "Climate-Friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV). It provides for a funding rate of 80% for the acquisition or conversion of electric commercial vehicles. For the necessary charging infrastructure, you will additionally receive 40% of the investment costs reimbursed. This funding is crucial to offset the higher acquisition costs of electric vehicles. The application deadline for these attractive conditions ends on August 31, 2025. At the same time, the European Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) requires public procurers to meet fixed quotas for clean vehicles. By the end of 2025, 38.5% of light commercial vehicles must be low-emission. A professional conversion helps you to meet these requirements on time. The analysis of total costs shows why the investment pays off in the long run.
TCO analysis: Why electric commercial vehicles are cheaper to operate
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), also known as the overall operating costs, are the decisive factor for the profitability of your fleet. While diesel vehicles may seem cheaper to purchase, electric commercial vehicles impress with significantly lower operating costs. A TCO analysis takes into account all expenses over the entire lifespan of a vehicle.
Energy costs: Electricity is significantly cheaper per kilometer than diesel, often by more than 50%.
Maintenance: E-motors have fewer moving parts, reducing maintenance costs by up to 40%.
Taxes & Tolls: E-vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax and save thousands of euros annually on toll routes.
Subsidy: The grant of 80% reduces the acquisition costs to a level below that of a new diesel vehicle.
Many fleet managers underestimate the savings from the toll exemption, which can amount to over 60,000 euros per vehicle per year. A detailed comparison of purchase and conversion shows how you can further optimize your costs. Especially the conversion of existing vehicles holds enormous potential.
Circular Economy in Practice: The Benefits of Diesel-to-Electric Conversion
The conversion of an existing Mercedes Sprinter to electric drive is the most sustainable form of modernization. Instead of replacing a proven vehicle with an expensive special construction, it is reused for an emissions-free future. This circular economy approach conserves valuable resources and your budget. A HEERO DTE-Sprinter achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers after conversion. The patented technology ensures that the performance and reliability of your Mercedes commercial vehicle are maintained. The biggest advantage is retaining your custom constructions, which often have a value of over 50,000 euros. You not only save the cost of a new vehicle, but also the effort for a new build. With an electrified Sprinter, you meet all environmental regulations and can continue to operate freely in city centers in the future. To ensure that the converted vehicles are ready for use at any time, a well-thought-out charging infrastructure is essential.
Efficient charging infrastructure: The foundation for your e-fleet
A powerful charging infrastructure is key to the maximum availability of your electric Mercedes commercial vehicles. Planning should be tailored to your specific operational process. Our Heero models standardly support DC fast charging with up to 135 kW. The Heero low-floor bus can even charge with up to 165 kW, allowing the 137-kWh battery to be charged to 80% in about 40 minutes. You can apply for a subsidy of 40% of the costs for the construction of the charging infrastructure. This not only includes the charging stations themselves but also the grid connection and necessary civil engineering work. Intelligent load management ensures that charging processes are optimally controlled and costly load peaks are avoided. We advise you on the selection of the right charging solution, from a single wall box to a complete charging park for your depot. Take the opportunity and secure the subsidy before the deadline expires on August 31, 2025.
Act now: Secure your free funding analysis
The time until the end of funding on August 31, 2025, is short. Do not hesitate to set the course for your emission-free and economical future. Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions, receive your subsidy roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding for your Mercedes commercial vehicles with electric drive.
For the free analysis
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Please note: The content presented here is for general information and does not constitute legal or funding advice.
More useful links
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides detailed information on the funding program for climate protection and mobility (KSNI).
The ADAC informs about the current funding for electric cars.
The State of Baden-Württemberg provides information on the promotion of electromobility, specifically for e-commercial vehicles.
Electromobility NRW offers information on funding programs for companies in the field of electromobility.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the 80% funding?
Eligible to apply for funding according to the KsNI directive are companies from Germany that are active in road freight transport. This includes logistics companies, craft businesses, municipal enterprises, and many other fleet operators. We will check your eligibility as part of our free funding analysis.
What does Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mean?
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or total operating costs include all expenses incurred over the entire lifetime of a vehicle. This includes acquisition, energy (electricity/diesel), maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, tolls, and the residual value. A TCO analysis shows that electric vehicles, despite higher acquisition costs, are often the more economical choice in the long run.
What is the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD)?
The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) is an EU directive implemented in Germany through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG). It obliges public procurers to adhere to binding minimum quotas for low-emission and zero-emission vehicle models in order to improve air quality and drive climate protection forward.
Do I keep the warranty on my base vehicle after the conversion?
With a conversion by a certified partner like Heero, we provide the warranty for the electric drivetrain and battery. The original warranty from Mercedes-Benz for unchanged vehicle parts, such as the body or interior, may remain depending on the age and condition of the vehicle.
What charging power do I need for my fleet?
The required charging power depends on the number of vehicles, daily driving distances, and downtimes. For overnight charging at the depot, AC charging points with 11 or 22 kW are often sufficient. For fast recharging during the day, DC fast chargers with 50 kW to 150 kW are useful. We analyze your needs and plan the optimal infrastructure.
Can my Mercedes Sprinter with a special body be converted?
Yes, this is one of the biggest advantages of our diesel-to-electric conversion. Whether it's a refrigerated truck, workshop vehicle, or liftgate, your existing and often expensive special body remains fully intact. Our patented solution seamlessly integrates the electric drive into the existing chassis.
