Future-proof mobility in Munich: With 80% funding for the e-fleet before August 31, 2025.
Up to 425 kilometers of range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – without the cost of a new vehicle. Given the rising diesel prices and the tightening of the environmental zone in Munich, electrifying your fleet has become a strategic necessity. Act before August 31, 2025, to secure maximum subsidies.
The topic briefly and concisely
The BMDV funding offers an 80% subsidy for electric commercial vehicles and retrofits, but the crucial application deadline ends on August 31, 2025.
Munich's tightened diesel driving bans make the transition to an emissions-free fleet a necessity in order to ensure unrestricted access to the city.
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 affect even Euro 5 vehicles, threaten the daily operational capability of your fleet throughout the city. At the same time, legal requirements such as the Clean Vehicles Directive compel public and private fleet operators to procure zero-emission vehicles. Many companies are faced with high diesel prices and the pressure to meet their sustainability goals. A pragmatic and economically sensible solution is now required. HEERO offers you a clear way to tackle these challenges and set the course for future-proof logistics through the retrofitting of existing vehicles and powerful electric commercial vehicles.
Your advantages for mobility in Munich at a glance
For fleet operators in Munich, the transition to electromobility is no longer an option, but an economic necessity. The combination of regulatory pressure and expiring incentives creates a narrow time window for strategic decisions. Electrification not only ensures you have unrestricted access to the city center but also sustainably reduces your operating costs.
Take advantage of 80% funding: The current BMDV funding guideline subsidizes the purchase or conversion of electric commercial vehicles with up to 80% of the additional costs, but the application deadline expires on August 31, 2025.
Avoid driving bans: With an emission-free fleet, you are not affected by the phased diesel driving bans in the Munich environmental zone, which also includes the Mittlerer Ring.
Reduce operating costs: Analyses of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) show that electric commercial vehicles are often more economical over their lifetime than diesel vehicles due to lower energy and maintenance costs.
Achieve sustainability goals: The transition reduces your fleet's CO₂ emissions by 100% during operation and supports compliance with the Clean Vehicles Directive.
These factors make the current time ideal for an informed 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 broken down into four manageable steps with a pragmatic approach. A structured approach is crucial to not miss the funding deadline on August 31, 2025, and to take advantage of all economic benefits. This is how you prepare your fleet for the future.
Needs analysis and TCO potential: Capture the daily driving profiles and load requirements of your vehicles. Based on this, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) can be calculated, and the potential savings compared to your current diesel fleet can be determined with an accuracy of over 90%.
Check eligibility for funding: Ensure that your company and the vehicles you plan meet the criteria of the BMDV funding guidelines. It is particularly important to meet the application deadline by August 31, 2025, to benefit from the 80% grant.
Define suitable solutions: Decide between converting your proven existing vehicles to Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) or purchasing new electric vehicles. The DTE solution preserves valuable specialized equipment and is often the faster option.
Plan charging infrastructure: Design a charging infrastructure tailored to your operational workflow. The federal government supports its setup with up to 40% of the investment costs, further reducing overall costs.
With this plan, you will navigate the process safely and lay the groundwork for a successful transformation.
Funding from the BMDV: securing an 80% grant for vehicles and retrofitting.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) is significantly supporting companies with the "Guideline on the Promotion of Light and Heavy Commercial Vehicles with Alternative, Climate-Friendly Drives" (KsNI) in fleet electrification. This program is a central lever for significantly reducing investment costs. The funding covers 80% of the additional investment expenditures for an electric commercial vehicle compared to a conventional diesel vehicle. This applies to both new vehicles and an innovative diesel-to-electric conversion.
Additionally, the necessary charging infrastructure at your company site is funded with 40% of the eligible expenses. The crucial factor is time: Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025. Given the processing times at the authorities, an immediate start of the analysis and application process is essential to not miss this opportunity. Please note that this information provides a general orientation 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 need to consider the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), or the overall operating costs. This metric includes all costs over the entire lifespan – from acquisition through energy and maintenance to 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 requirements. The energy costs per kilometer are also significantly lower than fluctuating diesel prices. The true costs of a diesel only become apparent over its entire lifespan, while an electric vehicle quickly amortizes its higher acquisition costs. A detailed TCO analysis for your fleet provides a data-driven basis for your investment decision.
Diesel-to-Electric (DTE): Circular economy as a competitive advantage
Why replace an entire vehicle when only the drive is outdated? The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) is the circular economy's 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 not only conserves resources but also your budget. The greatest advantage lies in preserving expensive and proven special bodies, such as refrigerated trucks, workshop equipment, or lifting platforms.
This approach significantly reduces waste and the need for primary raw materials, reducing CO₂ emissions even during production. 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 special bodies remain fully preserved and ready for use.
Resource Conservation: You avoid the production of a completely new vehicle and save tons of steel and other materials.
Quick Availability: The conversion of a vehicle is generally faster than the delivery time for a comparable new electric vehicle.
Lower Capital Commitment: The costs for a DTE conversion are significantly lower than those of a new purchase.
Thus, the conversion becomes a strategic decision for more sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
Proven practicality: Range and charging capacity for everyday work
The theoretical advantages of electromobility must prove themselves in demanding everyday work in Munich. HEERO vehicles are designed precisely for this and deliver proven performance values based on real deployment data. Our models offer an industry-leading combination of range and charging power that reliably meets your operational requirements. The HEERO eTransporter, for example, achieves a range of up to 500 kilometers on a single charge.
Even converted vehicles like the HEERO DTE-Sprinter impress with up to 425 kilometers of range. For passenger transport, our bus solutions, such as the mid and rear low-floor buses, offer up to 300 kilometers of range. The battery with a net capacity of 96 kWh (115 kWh in the mid low-floor 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 electric and efficient without compromise.
More useful links
The city of Munich offers detailed information about the city's electromobility funding program.
Munich in transit informs about the city's mobility strategy 2035.
The KfW presents funding programs for electromobility for companies.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides comprehensive information on electromobility in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) supplies current statistics on new registrations of electric cars in Germany.
The Federal Environment Agency publishes press releases on the climate balance of electric cars.
The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) informs about market developments in electromobility in Europe and internationally.
Agora Verkehrswende offers publications on the goal of 15 million electric cars by 2030.
The KfW presents funding programs for charging infrastructure.
FAQ
By when must the funding application be submitted to the BMDV?
The crucial deadline for submitting applications under the current KsNI funding guidelines is August 31, 2025. Due to the examination and approval process, an early start is strongly recommended.
Is my existing vehicle suitable for a DTE retrofit?
Heero specializes in the conversion of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models. These provide an ideal and widely used basis. Contact us for a free analysis to check the suitability of your specific vehicle model and body.
What are the actual ranges of Heero vehicles in everyday use?
Our range specifications are based on real usage data. The Heero eTransporter achieves up to 500 km, the DTE Sprinter up to 425 km, and our buses up to 300 km. The actual range depends on factors such as load, driving style, and outside temperature.
What does Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mean?
Total Cost of Ownership (overall operating costs) is a calculation method that takes into account all costs incurred by a vehicle over its entire lifetime. This includes acquisition, financing, energy (electricity/diesel), maintenance, insurance, taxes, and expected residual value.
How long does a Diesel-to-Electric conversion take?
A DTE conversion is a standardized process that usually takes only a few weeks. This is often significantly faster than the current delivery times for comparable new electric vehicles.
Do I also receive funding for the charging infrastructure?
Yes, the BMDV funding guideline also supports the development of the necessary charging infrastructure on your business premises. You can receive a grant of up to 40% of eligible costs.
