Electric Commercial Vehicle: Reduce Total Cost of Ownership – the 80% Subsidy Ran Until 2024
Electric Commercial Vehicle: Reduce Total Cost of Ownership – the 80% Subsidy Ran Until 2024
Up to 425 km range after an upgrade - without the cost of a new vehicle. For the electrification of your fleet, the funding guideline of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) applied: up to 80% of the additional costs were funded. The KsNI funding ran until 2024, new funding calls are not planned.
The topic briefly and concisely
The BMDV's KsNI funding directive offered a grant of up to 80% for electric commercial vehicles and 40% for charging infrastructure; it ran until 2024, and no new funding calls are planned.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for electric commercial vehicles is often lower than for diesel models, thanks to reduced operating and maintenance costs.
The Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) conserves resources, protects investments in specialized superstructures, and is a sustainable alternative to purchasing new vehicles.
Rising diesel prices, increasing bureaucracy, and the strict requirements of the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive are putting pressure on fleet operators. The transition to an electric commercial vehicle is not a question of "if," but "when." The federal KsNI funding round ran until 2024 and was discontinued as of August 2024. It reimbursed up to 80% of the additional investment expenses for a new electric commercial vehicle or a conversion and 40% for the charging infrastructure. This guide shows you pragmatically and clearly all the steps to make your fleet future-proof and significantly reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO).
Your Quick Overview: The Key Facts on E-Commercial Vehicle Subsidies
The electrification of your fleet does not have to be a complex undertaking. The framework conditions are clearly defined and economically viable. The funding directive "Climate-friendly commercial vehicles and infrastructure" (KsNI) of the BMDV ran until 2024 and was discontinued in August 2024.
Here are the key figures for your planning:
80% subsidy until 2024: Up to 80% of the additional investment expenses were reimbursed for the purchase of a new electric commercial vehicle or for a conversion.
40% for charging infrastructure: The construction of the necessary charging infrastructure at your depot was subsidized with 40% of the expenses.
Program status: Since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned, already approved projects will be fully funded.
All vehicle classes: The funding applied to light and heavy commercial vehicles of classes N1, N2, and N3.
This assessment enables you to plan the transition strategically and set the course for a locally emission-free future.
Your 4-point action plan for pragmatic electrification
A structured approach is the key to reliably checking the funding situation and making optimal use of available resources. With over 3,500 e-buses already funded, the process is established. We have divided the path into four manageable steps.
Follow this checklist for a smooth transition:
Analyze demand and economic efficiency: Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). A detailed funding checklist helps to take all relevant cost items such as acquisition, energy, maintenance, and residual value into account. Studies show that e-trucks can already achieve a cost advantage of up to 11% in TCO today.
Define the vehicle solution: Decide between a new vehicle and a conversion. Particularly in the case of expensive special bodies, the conversion protects your previous investments and is a core competence of HEERO.
Prepare the funding application: Gather all necessary documents; applications under the KsNI guideline went through the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM). This guideline ran until 2024, new funding calls are not planned.
Plan and implement charging infrastructure: Determine the energy requirements of your fleet and plan the installation of the charging infrastructure, which was also eligible for funding under the KsNI guideline.
With this clear roadmap, you turn regulatory pressure into a strategic advantage for your company.
Cost Comparison: Why the TCO Calculation Favours E-Commercial Vehicles
The higher acquisition costs of an electric commercial vehicle are often perceived as a hurdle. However, simply looking at the purchase price falls short. The decisive factor is the total cost calculation over the entire service life, the so-called Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). This includes all costs from acquisition to operation and residual value.
A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) proves that battery-electric trucks in Germany have already achieved TCO parity with diesel vehicles, when taking subsidies and toll exemptions into account. Lower expenses for energy, maintenance (no oil changes, fewer wear parts), and taxes lead to significantly lower operating costs. A precise TCO comparison is therefore essential. Retrofitting, i.e. converting an existing diesel vehicle to an electric drive, further reduces the initial investment and makes the switch even more economical.
Technology in Practice: Range and Performance that Convince
The practicality of modern electric commercial vehicles has long been proven. Range anxiety is a thing of the past. HEERO vehicles are designed for demanding commercial applications and are based on the proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform. Our vehicles deliver the necessary performance for your daily work routine.
Here is an excerpt of the performance data of our models:
HEERO eTransporter: Up to 500 km range for maximum operational flexibility.
HEERO DTE-Sprinter: Up to 425 km range after conversion.
HEERO Tourer (minibus 9 Pax): Up to 400 km range for passenger transport.
Battery capacity: All models (except the medium-low floor bus) use a powerful 110 kWh (gross) / 96 kWh (net) battery.
Fast charging capability: With up to 135 kW DC charging capacity, the vehicles are recharged to 80% in around 30 minutes.
These values show that a modern electric transporter is more than capable of meeting the demands of logistics, trade, and municipalities.
Sustainability and Circular Economy: More Than Just a Drive Change
The decision to opt for an electric commercial vehicle is also a decision for active sustainability. With the diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE), we at HEERO go a decisive step further and rely on the principle of the circular economy. Instead of replacing a fully functional vehicle with a costly specialized body, we preserve its value and convert it for a locally emission-free future. This approach saves a significant share of the CO₂ emissions that would occur during the production of a new vehicle.
The durability of the components is a key factor in this. Modern lithium-ion batteries are designed for a long service life of eight to ten years and at least 1,000 charging cycles, which corresponds to a mileage of over 300,000 km. By continuing to use existing vehicles, valuable resources are conserved and waste is avoided. A well-thought-out conversion solution is therefore the most intelligent form of sustainability – in terms of emissions and economics.
Clarify your subsidy roadmap in your individual case
The KsNI funding ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned, and projects that have already been approved will be fully funded. Independent of this, rising diesel prices and stricter environmental regulations are driving your operating costs. You set the course for an economic and sustainable future for your fleet today through the total cost of ownership. Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions and receive your subsidy roadmap with the current funding status.
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All content serves for general information purposes and does not constitute legal or financial advice.
More useful links
The funding program "Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) is presented in detail on the website of the Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM).
Current statistics and the annual balance of the vehicle population in Germany are available on the website of the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA).
A press release from the Fraunhofer ISI highlights the falling costs of locally emission-free trucks and their economic efficiency.
The Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) provides information on the current drive strategy for commercial vehicles and future developments.
The Deutsche Städtetag offers insights and positions on the topic of electromobility in urban areas.
The KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) presents funding programs for companies in the field of electromobility.
A comprehensive dossier on electromobility, including political frameworks and strategies, can be found on the website of the Bundeswirtschaftsministerium.
