Future-proof mobility Munich: The path to the e-fleet – the 80% subsidy ran until 2024
Up to 425 kilometers of range after an upgrade – without the costs of a new vehicle. In view of rising diesel prices and the tightening of the low emission zone in Munich, the electrification of your fleet is becoming a strategic necessity. Maximum subsidies could last be applied for until August 31, 2025; no new funding calls are planned.
The topic briefly and concisely
The KsNI funding offered up to an 80% grant for electric commercial vehicles and conversions; it ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned.
Munich's tightened diesel driving bans make the transition to a locally emission-free fleet a necessity in order to secure unrestricted access to the city area.
The diesel-to-electric (DTE) conversion saves investments in expensive specialized setups and is an economically and ecologically superior alternative to purchasing new.
The requirements for commercial mobility in Munich are changing rapidly. Stricter diesel driving bans, which now even affect Euro 5 vehicles, threaten the daily operational capability of your fleet throughout the entire city area. At the same time, legal regulations such as the Clean Vehicles Directive are forcing public and private fleet operators to procure emission-free vehicles. Many companies are confronted with high diesel prices and the pressure to achieve their sustainability goals. A pragmatic and economically sensible solution is now required. By converting existing vehicles and offering high-performance electric utility vehicles, HEERO provides you with a clear path to master these challenges and set the course for future-proof logistics.
Your advantages for mobility in Munich at a glance
For fleet operators in Munich, transitioning to electromobility is no longer an option, but a business necessity. The combination of regulatory pressure and expired subsidies shifts the focus to strategic decisions. Electrification not only preserves your unrestricted access to the city center, but also sustainably reduces your operating costs.
Putting the 80% subsidy into context: The BMDV funding directive KsNI subsidized the acquisition or conversion of electric commercial vehicles with up to 80% of the additional costs; it ran until 2024 and new funding calls are not planned.
Bypassing driving bans: With a locally emission-free fleet, you are unaffected by the phased diesel driving bans in the Munich low-emission zone, which also includes the Mittlerer Ring.
Reducing operating costs: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses prove that electric commercial vehicles are often more economical than diesel vehicles over their service life due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
Achieving sustainability goals: The transition reduces your fleet's CO₂ emissions by 100% in operation and supports compliance with the Clean Vehicles Directive.
These factors make the present time ideal for an in-depth analysis of your fleet strategy.
Your 4-step plan for the E-fleet: mastering bureaucracy and deadlines
The path to an electrified fleet often appears complex, but it can be structured into four manageable steps using a pragmatic approach. A structured approach is crucial in order to correctly assess the funding situation after the expiration of the KsNI directive and to exploit all economic advantages. This is how you prepare your fleet for the future.
Requirements Analysis and TCO Potential: Record the daily driving profiles and payload requirements of your vehicles. On this basis, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) can be calculated and the savings potential compared to your current diesel fleet can be determined with an accuracy of over 90%.
Check Eligibility for Funding: Ensure that your company and your planned vehicles meet the criteria of the BMDV funding directive. Particularly important is looking at the deadlines, as the subsidy of up to 80% of the additional costs ran until 2024.
Define the Right Solution: Decide between a conversion of your proven existing vehicles or purchasing new electric vehicles. The conversion solution preserves valuable special bodies and is often the faster option.
Plan Charging Infrastructure: Design a charging infrastructure tailored to your operational processes. The federal government had included its development in the KsNI directive, which reduced overall costs accordingly.
With this plan, you will navigate safely through the process and set the course for a successful transformation.
Federal funding: 80% subsidy for vehicles and conversions until 2024
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) massively supports companies with the “Directive on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drivetrains” (KsNI) in fleet electrification. This program was a central lever to significantly reduce investment costs. Until 2024, the funding covered up to 80% of the additional investment costs for an electric commercial vehicle compared to a conventional diesel. This applied to both new vehicles and an innovative Diesel-to-Electric-Umrüstung.
In addition, the necessary charging infrastructure at the depot was funded with 40% of the eligible expenses. The decisive factor is the current status: The KsNI has been discontinued since August 2024; new funding calls are not planned. In view of the processing times at the authorities, an early start of the analysis and application process remains advisable as soon as a program opens. Please note that this information represents general guidance and does not replace legal or funding advice.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting Reduces Total Cost of Ownership
The acquisition costs are only part of the truth. To truly evaluate the economic efficiency of a commercial vehicle, you must consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This key figure encompasses all costs over the entire service life – from acquisition and energy to maintenance and residual value. Studies show that battery-electric trucks have already reached or will soon reach the "tipping point" of cost parity with diesel models.
An electric drive has up to 70% fewer moving parts than an internal combustion engine, which drastically reduces maintenance efforts. Energy costs per kilometer are also significantly lower than with fluctuating diesel prices. The true costs of a diesel vehicle only become apparent over its entire service life, while an electric vehicle quickly amortizes its higher acquisition costs. A detailed TCO analysis for your fleet provides a data-based foundation for your investment decision.
Diesel-to-Electric (DTE): Circular economy as a competitive advantage
Why replace an entire vehicle when only the drive system is outdated? Circular economy conversion is the answer to the challenges of the mobility transition. In this process, the combustion engine is removed from your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and replaced with a state-of-the-art HEERO electric drivetrain. This protects not only resources but also your budget. The greatest advantage lies in preserving expensive and proven specialized bodies, such as refrigerated boxes, workshop equipment, or lifting platforms.
This approach significantly reduces waste and the need for primary raw materials, which lowers CO₂ emissions right from the manufacturing stage. A study shows that the circular economy can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 12.3 million tons annually. For your company, a sustainable conversion solution means:
Investment protection: Your expensive specialized bodies remain fully preserved and ready for use.
Resource conservation: You avoid the production of an entire new vehicle and save tons of steel and other materials.
Fast availability: Converting a vehicle is generally faster than the delivery time for a comparable new electric vehicle.
Lower capital lockup: The costs for conversion are significantly lower than those of a new purchase.
This makes conversion a strategic decision for greater sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Proven practicality: Range and charging capacity for everyday work
The theoretical advantages of electromobility must prove themselves in the demanding workday in Munich. HEERO vehicles are designed specifically for this purpose and deliver field-tested performance values based on real operational data. Our models offer an industry-leading combination of range and charging capacity that reliably covers your operational requirements. For example, the HEERO eTransporter achieves a range of up to 500 kilometers on a single charge.
Even converted vehicles like the HEERO DTE-Sprinter impress with a range of up to 425 kilometers. For passenger transport, our bus solutions, such as the low-entry and low-floor buses, offer a range of up to 300 kilometers. The battery with 96 kWh net capacity (115 kWh for the low-entry bus) can be charged to 80% in around 30 minutes thanks to DC fast charging with up to 165 kW. These performance data ensure that your fleet operates fully electrically and efficiently without compromise.
More useful links
Die Stadt München offers detailed information on the Munich municipality's electromobility funding program.
München unterwegs provides information on the Munich municipality's Mobility Strategy 2035.
The KfW presents funding programs for electromobility for companies.
The Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) offers comprehensive information on electromobility in Germany.
The Statistische Bundesamt (Destatis) provides current statistics on new registrations of electric passenger cars in Germany.
The Umweltbundesamt publishes press releases on the climate balance of electric cars.
The Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) provides information on the market development of electromobility in Europe and internationally.
Agora Verkehrswende offers publications on the target of 15 million electric cars by 2030.
The KfW presents funding programs for charging infrastructure.
