Convert the Mercedes Sprinter into a mobile electric workshop: Secure independent power supply and TCO advantages.

09.02.2025

Minutes

Federico De Ponte

Experte für Beratung bei Auctoa

July 12, 2025

10

Minutes

Jan Schreiter

Profitability Expert

Your Mercedes Sprinter with expensive workshop modifications is a central work tool, but the diesel engine is increasingly becoming a burden due to driving bans and high costs. Converting to electric not only solves this problem but turns your vehicle into a powerhouse on wheels. Find out how you can continue to make full use of your valuable modifications with the Heero D2E conversion and simultaneously receive an autonomous power supply for demanding tools.

The topic briefly and concisely

Protect your investment: Upgrade your Mercedes Sprinter to electric and continue to use your expensive workshop setup without losses.

Become energy self-sufficient: The retrofit offers an integrated 230V/400V power supply that makes external generators unnecessary for heavy tools.

Reduce operating costs: Lower the TCO by up to 50% through reduced energy and maintenance costs, as well as government subsidies.

Operators of service fleets, especially municipalities and craft businesses, face a double challenge: rising operating costs and looming diesel driving bans threaten profitability, while the high investments in specialized workshop builds on Sprinter basis must be protected. Purchasing new e-transporters often means losing these expensive installations. Heero offers a technologically leading solution with the patented D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric). We convert your reliable Mercedes Sprinter to a powerful electric drive within just 10 days. In this way, you secure your investment, significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), and meet all environmental requirements.

The double challenge for mobile workshops

Mobile workshops based on the Mercedes Sprinter are the backbone of daily work for many craft businesses and municipalities. However, two central problems threaten their efficiency and future viability. First, rising diesel prices and maintenance costs are making the operation of vehicles with internal combustion engines increasingly unprofitable. Secondly, professional users on-site need a reliable and powerful power supply for machines that goes beyond a simple power outlet.

The conventional solution of carrying a separate, noisy, and emission-rich diesel generator is no longer an option in noise-sensitive and environmentally sensitive areas such as residential neighborhoods or city centers. Many cities are also planning to tighten access bans for diesel vehicles, which directly threatens the operational capability of these fleets. The central question is how to modernize the drive while simultaneously creating a self-sufficient, clean energy source for work deployment. The solution lies in an integrated approach that considers drive and energy supply as a system.

Investment protection through D2E retrofitting: This is how to secure the future of your Sprinter

A new e-transporter is expensive and inevitably leads to the loss of your workshop expansion, which has been optimized over years and often costs tens of thousands of euros. Our patented D2E conversion takes a smarter approach in terms of circular economy. We preserve your entire vehicle, including the valuable bodywork, and only replace the drivetrain. Within just 10 business days, the diesel engine is replaced by our powerful electric drive.

This process protects your original investment 100% and extends the lifespan of your special vehicle by at least 10 years. For companies such as logistics firms or craft businesses, this means considerable capital savings. You keep a familiar vehicle that is tailored exactly to your needs while making it fit for the next 15 years. Instead of disposal and a costly new purchase, you opt for sustainable value enhancement. A certified conversion solution is therefore the most pragmatic path to electric mobility.

Autonomous power supply on board: 230 V and 400 V for each tool

The true innovation of our retrofit lies in the ability to transform your Sprinter into a mobile energy hub. We integrate a high-voltage auxiliary drive (ePTO) that utilizes the energy from the main battery to provide a full 230V and 400V power supply. This enables the operation of energy-intensive devices directly from the vehicle – without noise and emissions. The available power far exceeds the charging of battery-operated tools.

Your mobile workshop can autonomously operate the following devices:

  • Air compressors for pneumatic tools

  • Welding machines for on-site repairs

  • Large table and miter saws

  • Core drilling machines and heavy-duty hammer drills

  • Water pumps or pressure washers

  • Mobile lighting systems for night operations

This capability makes external generators unnecessary and increases efficiency in every application by up to 25%. With a retrofitted workshop vehicle, you work quieter, cleaner, and without power limitations, which provides a decisive advantage, especially when operating in urban areas.

Economic efficiency analyzed: TCO reduction by up to 50%

Converting a Mercedes Sprinter to a mobile workshop powered by electricity is cost-effective. An analysis of the total operating costs (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) shows that the higher initial investments often pay off within 4 to 6 years. The savings result from several factors: The energy costs per 100 kilometers are over 60% lower with electricity than with diesel. In addition, expensive maintenance costs such as oil changes, exhaust system repairs, and the replacement of wear parts on the combustion engine are eliminated.

The maintenance costs for electric vehicles are overall up to 50% lower. Additionally, companies benefit from government funding programs such as the KsNI guideline, which can cover up to 80% of the additional costs of electrification. Also, the vehicle tax is completely waived for 10 years. These combined savings lead to a drastic reduction in TCO and make the conversion a more economically superior decision. A detailed analysis of fleet costs reveals the full potential.

Performance in practice: Range and payload without compromises

Concerns about the practicality of electric transporters are a thing of the past. Our converted HEERO Sprinters offer a practical range of up to 425 kilometers, depending on the selected battery capacity (56, 81, or 113 kWh). This allows them to easily cover the typical daily tasks of craftsmen, service technicians, and municipal operations. The payload remains at a high level and is comparable to that of the original diesel vehicle, so you do not have to make compromises when loading.

The charging times are optimized for commercial use. At a DC fast charging station, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in just about 40 minutes. That's equivalent to a coffee break. The electric motor with up to 400 Nm of torque also ensures a confident and quiet driving experience, which makes the workday much more pleasant for your employees. For field service technicians, this means a less stressful and more productive day.

Sustainability as a strategy: The circular economy in practice

The decision to retrofit a D2E is more than just a technology change; it is a clear commitment to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle with a valuable superstructure after just a few years, we significantly extend its lifecycle. This approach reduces the need for raw materials for a new vehicle by over 80% and avoids tons of production waste and CO2 emissions. The refurbishment of commercial vehicles can achieve material savings of up to 15% compared to new production.

By continuing to use your existing Sprinter, you are not only acting in an environmentally responsible manner but also economically intelligently. You reduce dependence on global supply chains and enhance the resilience of your fleet. The retrofit is the consistent implementation of a sustainable fleet strategy that conserves resources while simultaneously lowering operating costs. This approach to continuing to use a Sprinter with a custom build is a prime example of practiced sustainability.

FAQ

What happens to my existing workshop conversion during the retrofit?

Your existing workshop or shelving conversion remains 100% unaffected. Our D2E retrofit focuses solely on replacing the powertrain (engine, transmission, tank) with our electrical components. Your vehicle structure, in which you have invested a lot of money and planning, will be completely preserved and can continue to be used as usual.



Is the power supply for tools always available?

Yes, the integrated power supply is always available to you, as long as the vehicle battery has sufficient charge. The system is designed so that a safety reserve for the onward journey is always maintained. This means you can operate your tools throughout the workday and still have enough range for the return trip.



What subsidies can I apply for the retrofit of my Sprinter?

There are attractive subsidy programs in Germany for the retrofit of commercial vehicles. The most important is the KsNI directive from the federal government, which can cover a significant portion of the costs. Additionally, there are often regional programs from the states. We provide comprehensive advice on all available funding and support you in the application process.



How does the retrofit affect the payload of my Sprinter?

We place great importance on ensuring the practicability of your vehicle is preserved. The weight of our electrical components is balanced so that the payload of your retrofitted Sprinter is very close to that of the original diesel vehicle. In a personal consultation, we can determine the exact payload for your specific vehicle configuration.



How long does the retrofit of my vehicle take?

The entire retrofit process is highly efficient and usually takes only 10 working days. During this time, your vehicle is at our specialized workshop, where our technicians professionally install and certify the electric Heero components after removing the diesel drive.



Do I get a warranty on the retrofit?

Yes, of course. You will receive a comprehensive warranty on all Heero components installed by us, especially on the battery and the electric powertrain. This ensures that you are on the safe side and can rely on the reliability and durability of our technology.