Flatbed trucks in landscaping: Cost-effective conversion to electric drive
Rising diesel prices and impending driving bans are putting a strain on your landscaping business. Purchasing new electric vehicles means losing expensive setups. Learn how to cost-effectively convert your proven flatbed truck for landscaping operations to a robust electric drive and thus secure your investments.
The topic briefly and concisely
Protect your investment: Upgrade your flatbed truck instead of losing the value of your specialized setup by purchasing a new one.
Reduce TCO by up to 60% through lower energy and maintenance costs; government subsidies covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024.
Act future-proof with unrestricted access to environmental zones and a powerful electric drive with a range of up to 425 km.
For gardening and landscaping businesses, fleet operating costs represent a significant factor. The volatility of diesel prices and the CO2 tax lead to an unpredictable financial burden. At the same time, over 50 German cities are tightening their low-emission zones, which massively restricts the usability of diesel vehicles. Many businesses face a dilemma: a costly new purchase of an electric van, in which the valuable flatbed body is lost, or the continued use of the diesel with all its disadvantages? HEERO offers a third, far more intelligent solution. We convert your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter into a high-performance electric commercial vehicle in just 10 days, thereby securing your future.
Cost trap diesel: The growing burden for landscaping fleets
The total costs for diesel vehicles are rising inexorably and putting pressure on landscaping companies. The energy costs alone for a diesel van are, on European average, about twice as high as for a comparable electric vehicle. In addition, there are rising maintenance costs for complex exhaust systems and engine components, which are eliminated with electric drives. These factors drive up the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and reduce your margin with every kilometer driven. Especially for vehicles with expensive special bodies, such as a flatbed truck, continuing to operate the diesel becomes uneconomical. The investment in the body is tied to a base vehicle with rising operating costs and falling residual value. This development poses a direct threat to the profitability and future viability of your business.
Investment protection through retrofitting instead of loss of value through new purchases
Purchasing a new electric transporter seems to be a logical consequence, but it comes with significant disadvantages. The investment costs are high, and often the valuable platform body, optimized for gardening and landscaping, is not compatible. This leads to a total loss of your previous investment in the body, which often has a value of over 20,000 euros. HEERO breaks this cycle with a clear focus on the circular economy. Instead of writing off a proven vehicle and its body, we preserve its value. Our conversion is the pragmatic solution that combines economy and ecology. We convert your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to a pure electric drive and make it fit for the next 10 years. In this way, you protect your capital and invest intelligently in the future.
The HEERO D2E conversion: A technologically leading process
Our patented conversion transforms your diesel flatbed vehicle into a modern electric commercial vehicle. The process is designed for maximum efficiency and quality and takes only 10 working days. We replace the entire diesel powertrain with our powerful and low-maintenance electric drive. Your vehicle retains its proven chassis and the flatbed body that is essential for you. The centerpiece is our battery system, which enables a range of up to 425 km (WLTP) – more than enough for typical daily operations in landscaping. The conversion is more than just an engine replacement; it is a complete modernization of your vehicle. Learn more about the conversion for your Sprinter with double cab and flatbed. This approach not only ensures the continued use of your special body, but also elevates your entire vehicle to a new technological level.
TCO Analysis: How the retrofit drastically reduces your operating costs
A conversion often pays for itself after just 3 to 5 years through massive savings in operating costs. The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of a converted electric flatbed truck is up to 60% lower than that of a diesel vehicle. These savings result from several factors, which we break down for you:
Energy costs: Electricity costs per 100 km are over 50% lower than diesel costs.
Maintenance: Oil changes, the replacement of exhaust systems, and clutches are eliminated, which reduces maintenance costs by up to 70%.
Taxes & duties: Electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax until at least 2030.
CO2 tax: These costs are completely eliminated for electric vehicles.
GHG quota: You receive annual premiums of several hundred euros for your saved CO2 emissions.
Subsidies: Government programs such as KsNI subsidized conversion costs by up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024, significantly reducing the initial investment.
This combined saving makes the decision to convert a clear business management necessity. With our TCO calculator, you can analyze your individual savings potential. The conversion is therefore not only an ecological decision, but above all an economic decision for the future of your company.
Practicality in Landscaping: Performance and Reliability Without Compromises
A flatbed truck in landscaping must transport heavy loads and prove itself in off-road conditions. Our electric drive delivers a high torque of up to 350 Nm right from the start, which makes starting on a slope with a full load easier. The range of up to 425 km covers the daily requirements of over 95% of all landscaping businesses. Another often underestimated advantage is the quiet operation. This enables work in noise-sensitive environments such as residential areas or near hospitals without disturbing residents. Our customers, such as the landscaping company GaLaBau-Betrieb Putz, confirm the high reliability and suitability for daily use of our converted vehicles. The robust design of the Sprinter chassis is preserved, combined with a drive that has fewer wear parts and thus minimizes downtime. This makes your converted electric flatbed truck a reliable workhorse for every application.
Acting future-proof: Assessing low-emission zones and subsidies
With a flatbed truck converted to electric drive, you receive unrestricted access to all German low-emission zones. While diesel vehicles are increasingly being banned from city centers, you have free passage with your HEERO e-transporter. This is a decisive competitive advantage, especially for businesses operating in urban areas. The Federal Government actively supports this transition. The funding program "Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure" (KsNI) covered up to 80% of the additional costs of a conversion compared to a new diesel vehicle until 2024; it has been discontinued since August 2024. We will review with you which subsidies are applicable to your project. This ensures that the conversion remains not only a sustainable but also an economically viable measure. Maintain the operational readiness of your fleet for municipal green space maintenance and other urban tasks.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive list of electric commercial vehicles.
The Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität (BALM) provides information about the Climate Protection and Mobility (KsNI) funding program.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides monthly statistics on new vehicle registrations in Germany.
The Verband der Automobilindustrie (VDA) offers insights into drive strategies for commercial vehicles.
The Umweltbundesamt publishes analyses on the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
The Garten- und Landschaftsbau (GaLaBau) sector offers specific information on electromobility in the landscaping sector.
The Bundesnetzagentur provides information on the subject of electromobility.
