Ensuring planning security for the next 10 years through the conversion of the diesel fleet.
Ensuring planning security for the next 10 years through the conversion of the diesel fleet.
Over 3,500 electric buses have already benefited from government subsidies. In light of rising diesel prices and stricter EU regulations, converting your fleet remains the way to secure long-term planning security and lower operating costs.
The topic briefly and concisely
State funding covered up to 80% of the additional costs for converting your diesel fleet until 2024; since August 2024, no new funding calls are planned.
The retrofitting (DTE) ensures compliance with the Clean Vehicles Directive and maintains the value of your existing vehicles and specialized superstructures.
Electrified transporters and buses offer ranges of up to 425 km and are economically more viable in the long term (TCO) due to lower operating costs.
The pressure on fleet operators is growing: High operating costs, threatening diesel driving bans, and the statutory requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive demand rapid action. Strategic retrofitting of your existing vehicles not only secures the value of your special bodies, but also creates a reliable calculation basis for the next ten years. This article shows you how to implement the transition pragmatically, correctly classify state funding – the KsNI guideline funded up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024 and included the charging infrastructure – and thereby set the course for an economic and sustainable future. No new funding calls have been planned since August 2024; we clarify on a case-by-case basis which programs are currently open.
Pressure to act by 2025: Why the time for diesel fleets is running out
The legal framework conditions are becoming increasingly tight for diesel commercial vehicles. The EU's Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented by the German Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), already prescribes fixed quotas for emission-free vehicles in public procurement. By the end of 2025, 45% of newly procured buses had to be "clean"; from 2026, this quota rises to 65%. The funding phase of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV), which subsidized retrofitting with up to 80% of the additional costs, has expired.
The deadline for funding applications was August 31, 2025. For the future operational capability of your fleet in urban areas, the regulatory requirements remain decisive. Retrofitting is therefore no longer an option, but a strategic necessity. The good news: a diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) is a pragmatic and economically superior solution. It ensures compliance with all regulations and conserves valuable resources. Learn more about the benefits of a quick conversion.
The combination of regulatory pressure and expired funding shapes the decision-making situation. The next step is a structured plan to turn this challenge into a competitive advantage.
Your 4-point plan for a future-proof fleet
A successful fleet electrification requires a clear, pragmatic process. With the right strategy, you not only properly assess the subsidy situation but also optimize your total cost of ownership (TCO). The TCO includes all costs over the lifespan of a vehicle – from acquisition and energy to maintenance and residual value. Studies show that electric commercial vehicles are often already cheaper here than their diesel equivalents today.
Follow this four-point checklist for a smooth transformation:
Requirements and Subsidy Analysis: Record the current fleet and typical driving profiles. On this basis, we determine your individual savings potential and a realistic subsidy amount.
Check and Apply for Subsidies: Apply with our support to the BMDV as soon as a program is open. The KsNI guideline with up to 80% subsidy ran until 2024 and has been discontinued.
Plan and Execute Conversion: Choose the appropriate HEERO conversion kits for your vehicles. The conversion itself takes only a few days and preserves the value of your expensive special bodies.
Set Up Charging Infrastructure: Plan a scalable charging infrastructure, which was also eligible under the KsNI guideline. Our experts design a solution that is perfectly tailored to your operational processes.
Particularly for vehicles with expensive special bodies, conversion is far superior to buying new. Let us analyze your total costs. With this plan as a basis, we can now examine the technical and financial details of the conversion.
Performance without compromise: The DTE technology in detail
Diesel-to-electric conversion is the core of a sustainable fleet strategy. Instead of scrapping fully functional vehicles, we replace the diesel drivetrain with a state-of-the-art electric drive. This principle of a circular economy not only protects the environment but also your budget. You keep your proven vehicle including all special bodies and benefit from immediate zero emissions. Our HEERO conversion solutions are based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and offer impressive performance data.
A converted HEERO Sprinter achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers. The battery with 96 kWh net capacity can be charged to 80% in around 30 minutes at DC fast-charging stations with up to 135 kW. For buses, we offer even more powerful options:
HEERO Medium Low Floor Bus: Up to 300 km range, 115 kWh net capacity, and a charging capacity of up to 165 kW DC.
HEERO Tourer (9-seater): Up to 400 km range, 96 kWh net capacity, and 135 kW DC charging capacity.
These figures prove that no compromises on operational capability are necessary. The conversion is an investment in proven quality, combined with pioneering technology. Discover our efficient conversion solutions. Now that the technical performance is clear, we focus on the financial benefits and funding opportunities.
80% funding until 2024: What the subsidy covered
The financial attractiveness of fleet conversion stands and falls with the utilization of available subsidies. The KsNI funding program of the BMDV was the decisive lever here. It subsidized up to 80% of the additional costs of a conversion compared to a diesel reference vehicle. The necessary charging infrastructure was also part of this funding guideline. The guideline ran until 2024 and was discontinued as of August 2024. According to the federal government, new calls for funding are not planned; already approved projects will be fully funded.
The process for applying for subsidies is clearly structured. HEERO proactively supports you at every step, from the preparation of the necessary documents to final submission. We ensure that your application meets all formal requirements of the respective funding guideline and that the possible subsidy rate is properly justified. This not only creates financial relief but also the necessary planning security for the coming years. Start now by preparing your funding application.
With secured financing, the focus shifts to practical implementation: the intelligent planning of your charging infrastructure.
Intelligently planning charging infrastructure – 40% funding was available until 2024
A powerful charging infrastructure is the backbone of any e-fleet. Planning must take your operational processes into account in order to use idle times efficiently for charging. Thanks to the high DC charging capacity of our vehicles of up to 165 kW, lunch breaks or short stops at the depot, for example, can be sufficient to secure the range for the rest of the day. The Federal Government funded the construction of non-public charging infrastructure with up to 40% of the costs.
A well-thought-out charging concept takes the following aspects into account:
Number of vehicles to be charged simultaneously
Required charging capacity per parking space (e.g., 135 kW)
Intelligent load management to avoid costly peak loads
Possibility for future expansion
Professional planning prevents bad investments and ensures smooth operation from day one. We analyze your needs and design a tailored and eligible charging infrastructure. In this way, the transition becomes a sustainable investment. We will now summarize the key benefits for you.
Conclusion: How you benefit twice
Converting your diesel fleet is the pragmatic answer to the challenges of today and tomorrow. This not only ensures your compliance with the Clean Vehicles Directive, but also gives you long-term planning security for the next ten years. By continuing to use your vehicles in the spirit of the circular economy, you conserve valuable resources and protect your investments in expensive custom bodies. The KsNI funding of up to 80% of the additional costs for the DTE conversion, which also included the charging infrastructure, created a strong business case until 2024. The directive was discontinued as of August 2024; no new calls for funding are planned.
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More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the topic of diesel driving bans in Germany.
The Nationale Leitstelle Ladeinfrastruktur provides information on electromobility in the commercial vehicle sector and the role of the charging infrastructure.
The Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV) provides information on commercial vehicles with alternative drivetrains and their funding.
The Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM) offers details on the Climate Protection and Mobility (KSNI) funding program, which supports alternative drivetrains and charging infrastructure.
