Your Electric Commercial Vehicle Service Centre: Secure 80% funding until 31 August 2025
Up to 425 km range after a Diesel-to-Electric upgrade – without the expense of a new vehicle. Time is of the essence: Secure up to 80% government funding for the conversion of your fleet until 31 August 2025 and future-proof your vehicle fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
Until 31 August 2025, businesses can apply for up to 80% funding for converting diesel commercial vehicles to electric drives and 40% for charging infrastructure.
The conversion (Diesel-to-Electric) is often more economical than a new purchase, as expensive special constructions are retained and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is reduced through lower energy and maintenance costs.
Regulations such as the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive are increasing the pressure on fleet operators to switch to low-emission vehicles in order to meet mandated quotas.
Rising diesel prices, strict CO₂ regulations, and impending access restrictions are putting pressure on fleet operators. Transitioning to e-mobility is no longer an option but an economic necessity. However, the investment in new e-vehicles is high, and the bureaucracy involved in grant applications is complex. As your specialised Commercial Vehicle Electric Service Centre, we offer a pragmatic solution: the conversion of your proven diesel vehicles. This guide will clearly and calmly show you how to take advantage of the 80% government subsidy in a timely manner, reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of your fleet, and conserve valuable resources.
Deadlines and Facts: Your Opportunity for Fleet Electrification 2025
The electrification of your commercial vehicle fleet is now more economical than ever before, but the timeline is tight. The current funding period sets clear deadlines for business decisions. A specialised commercial vehicle electric service supports you in complying with all requirements.
Here are the crucial facts for your planning:
80% Grant: The KsNI directive of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) promotes the acquisition or conversion of e-commercial vehicles with up to 80% of the additional investment expenses.
Deadline 31 August 2025: This application deadline is approaching and requires prompt yet well-founded planning on your part.
40% for Charging Infrastructure: In addition, the development of the necessary charging infrastructure at your operational sites is subsidised with up to 40% of the costs.
Up to 500 km Range: Modern converted vehicles like the Heero eTransporter achieve practical ranges of up to 500 kilometres on a single battery charge.
These conditions create a unique opportunity to set the course for an emissions-free and cost-efficient future.
Regulatory Pressure and Costs: The Challenges for Fleet Operators
Operating a conventional commercial vehicle fleet is becoming increasingly complex and costly. Legal requirements, such as the EU's Clean Vehicles Directive, particularly compel public contractors to take action. This directive already mandates a quota of 38.5% for clean light commercial vehicles in new procurement by the end of 2025.
At the same time, operating costs for diesel vehicles are skyrocketing due to fluctuating fuel prices and increasing maintenance expenses. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), i.e., the total operating costs over a vehicle's lifetime, is coming into focus in every economic consideration. Many operators underestimate that the TCO of an e-transporter can fall below that of a diesel in just four to six years. The bureaucracy involved in applying for funding presents an additional hurdle that is hardly manageable without specialised assistance. An experienced Sprinter Electric Service Centre is well-versed in these processes.
Your 4-step plan for profitable and subsidised fleet conversion
A structured approach is the key to securing funding on time and successfully managing the transition. With a clear roadmap, you navigate safely through the process and make informed decisions for your fleet.
Follow this simple four-step checklist:
Conduct a needs analysis: Analyse your daily driving profiles, ranges, and charging requirements. A Heero expert helps you define the exact specifications for the vehicles you want to convert, from battery size (e.g. 96 kWh net) to charging power (up to 135 kW DC).
Secure funding check: Have your eligibility for funding checked free of charge and without obligation. We identify the appropriate funds and prepare the applications to meet the deadline of 31 August 2025.
Select implementation partner: Choose an experienced partner for Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE). Our patented technology for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter protects your investment in expensive special adaptations and extends their lifecycle.
Plan charging infrastructure: We tailor a charging infrastructure to your operation and also secure the 40% subsidy for you here. This ensures maximum vehicle availability.
This pragmatic plan makes the transition feasible and economically attractive, as demonstrated by our commercial vehicle electric tests.
Make the Most of Funding Opportunities: Save 80% of Costs
The federal government is heavily supporting the switch to climate-friendly drives, particularly through the KsNI guideline. This programme is designed to offset the higher purchase costs of electric vehicles compared to diesel models. The funding covers 80% of the additional investment costs, making conversion the most economically sensible option.
The term "additional investment costs" refers to the difference between the conversion costs and the notional price of a comparable new diesel vehicle. This approach makes continuing to use your existing fleet particularly attractive. Instead of financing a completely new vehicle, only the technological modernisation is supported. This not only conserves your budget but also valuable resources in the spirit of the circular economy. The experts at Heero guide you through the entire application process to secure the maximum subsidy for your new electric commercial vehicles.
TCO Analysis: Why Retrofitting is More Economically Favorable than Purchasing New
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the key metric for the economic efficiency of your fleet. It includes all costs from acquisition, energy, and maintenance to residual value. While the initial investment in a conversion is manageable thanks to 80% funding, the real savings are in ongoing operations.
A converted e-Transporter benefits from significantly lower energy costs per kilometre compared to diesel. Additionally, maintenance costs are up to 50% lower, as many wear parts of a combustion engine are eliminated. The D2E conversion is particularly valuable for vehicles with expensive special bodies, such as refrigerated trucks or workshop fittings. These bodies can be reused 1:1, making a new investment often exceeding 50,000 euros unnecessary. A detailed Total Cost of Ownership calculation quickly shows that the conversion is the most profitable solution.
Technology and Lifespan: Performance for Demanding Applications
Modern eDrives are in no way inferior to diesel counterparts – on the contrary. The HEERO D2E-Sprinter offers a range of up to 425 kilometres, making it suitable for everyday use for most operational profiles. Thanks to a DC fast-charging capability of up to 135 kW, the 96 kWh net battery is recharged to 80% in around 30 minutes.
Our conversion solutions are based on the proven and robust platform of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. By continuing to use the chassis and body, you make an active contribution to the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle, we extend its lifecycle by many years. Every conversion avoids the CO₂ emissions that would arise from the production of a completely new vehicle. Learn more about our innovative Heero conversion solutions and their technical superiority.
More useful links
Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides information on the Climate Protection and Mobility funding programme.
Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides statistics and tables on the vehicle fleet.
National Centre for Charging Infrastructure informs about commercial vehicles.
Federal Environment Agency (UBA) publishes an analysis of the environmental impact of motor vehicles.
National Platform Future of Mobility (NPM) offers a workshop report on the topic of commercial vehicles.
Wikipedia provides an article on electromobility.
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) provides a dossier on electromobility.
German Association of Cities publishes resolutions on the future of the automotive industry.
German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) informs about the drive strategy for commercial vehicles.
Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI provides information on electromobility and the energy system.
FAQ
Who can apply for the funding for electric commercial vehicles?
Eligible applicants are companies from trade and industry, especially in the fields of logistics, craft, and municipal economy. The experts from Heero assess your individual eligibility for funding within the scope of a free analysis.
What does Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mean for electric commercial vehicles?
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or overall operating costs include all costs incurred over the entire service life of a vehicle. This includes acquisition (or conversion), energy, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and residual value. For electric vehicles, the operating and maintenance costs are significantly lower than for diesel vehicles.
What is the Clean Vehicles Directive?
The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) is an EU directive that obliges public contractors to comply with binding minimum quotas for low-emission and emission-free models when procuring vehicles. For light commercial vehicles, the quota is 38.5% until the end of 2025.
What charging performance do the converted vehicles have?
Heero vehicles standardly support DC fast charging with up to 135 kW. The mid-low floor bus can even charge with up to 165 kW. This allows short charging times during operational breaks without any issues.
Do I retain the warranty on my base vehicle?
The conversion is carried out by specialized and certified partners. Heero as your Commercial Vehicle Electric Service Centre will provide the warranty for the entire electric drive train and all installed components.
Why is conversion more sustainable than a new purchase?
The conversion is an exemplary case of the circular economy. It avoids the production of a completely new vehicle and thereby saves significant amounts of CO₂, water, and raw materials (so-called grey energy). It also extends the life span of existing high-quality vehicle components such as chassis and special constructions.
