Economic efficiency meets future security: Converting service vehicles for field technicians to high-range electric drive.
Economic efficiency meets future security: Converting service vehicles for field technicians to high-range electric drive.
Rising diesel prices, imminent driving bans in city centers, and ambitious sustainability targets present fleet operators with massive challenges. Converting your service vehicles for field technicians to a long-range electric drive is not only an emissions-related necessity, but above all a strategic decision for greater cost-effectiveness and future viability. Discover how you can significantly reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) and secure the long-term operational readiness of your technicians through the intelligent electrification of your existing fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
Converting diesel service vehicles to electric drive lowers the total cost of ownership (TCO) through lower energy and maintenance costs; government subsidies covered up to 80% of the additional costs until 2024.
With a practical range of up to 425 km, the converted vans are more than capable of meeting the daily demands of field service technicians.
The HEERO D2E conversion protects your existing investments in expensive special designs and shelving systems and avoids the depreciation of a new purchase.
For fleet managers in technical field service, the situation is becoming increasingly complex: operating costs for diesel vehicles are continuously rising, while more and more German cities such as Munich and Stuttgart are enforcing access restrictions for diesel vehicles up to the Euro 5 standard. At the same time, sustainability targets require a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions. Purchasing new electric vans is often associated with high costs and the loss of expensive, customized bodies. HEERO positions itself here as your pragmatic partner: we offer a technologically leading solution to convert your service vehicles for field technicians to high-range electric drive. Through our patented conversion process, you protect your investments, reduce your operating costs, and make your fleet future-proof in just 10 days.
The dual challenge: operating costs and access restrictions
Fleet operators of service vehicles are under double pressure. On the one hand, unpredictable diesel prices and high maintenance costs weigh heavily on the total cost of ownership (TCO) by up to 15% annually. On the other hand, municipalities are drastically tightening access regulations. In cities like Darmstadt and Stuttgart, driving bans for diesel commercial vehicles of the Euro 4 and 5 standards are already in effect today. From 2030, the EU nitrogen dioxide limit will be halved, which is expected to lead to further driving bans. This development threatens the operational capability of craft businesses and service technicians whose daily routes often lead into these low-emission zones. The strategic conversion of the fleet is therefore no longer an option, but a necessity. The question is not whether, but how the conversion can be achieved most economically. The solution often lies not in buying new, but in the intelligent continued use of proven vehicles.
The HEERO solution: Protect investments by converting to D2E
A complete new purchase of e-transporters means the loss of investments in expensive shelving systems and special bodies, which often make up to 50% of the vehicle value. HEERO offers a superior alternative with the conversion. We replace the diesel powertrain of your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with our powerful electric drive. This circular economy approach not only conserves valuable resources, but above all your budget. Your vehicle retains its individual and expensive conversion that your technicians know and value. With a practical range of up to 425 kilometers, our converted vehicles far exceed the requirements for daily service use. A test with a craft business showed that an average daily distance of 180 km is covered without any problems. This is how you protect your existing assets and make them fit for the future. Learn more about how to convert your workshop vehicle without loss of value.
Economic efficiency analyzed: The TCO benefits of electrification
The higher acquisition costs for electromobility are often seen as a hurdle, but an analysis of the total cost of ownership (TCO) proves the opposite. Studies show that retrofitting to an electric drive often pays for itself within 4 to 6 years through lower operating and energy costs. Government funding programs such as "KsNI" supported the transition until 2024, covering up to 80% of the additional investment costs compared to a new diesel vehicle. The savings alone make retrofitting the most economical decision; funding was an additional benefit until 2024.
Here is a simplified cost comparison per vehicle and year:
Energy costs: Electricity costs for 20,000 km are around €1,600, while diesel costs can be over €3,000.
Maintenance & repair: Electric drives have fewer wear parts, which reduces maintenance costs by at least 50%.
Vehicle tax: Electric vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years.
CO2 pricing: These costs are completely eliminated for electric vehicles.
These factors lead to a significant reduction in running costs. Let us prepare a detailed amortization calculation for your fleet. The analysis of the TCO clearly shows the path to a profitable and sustainable future.
Practicality in Focus: Range and Performance for the Technician's Everyday Life
The concern about insufficient range is one of the biggest hurdles in fleet electrification. With a battery capacity that enables a range of up to 425 km, HEERO vehicles are perfectly equipped for the demanding daily operations of field technicians. Even with highway driving or the use of the air conditioning system, which can reduce the range by up to 30 km in some models, a high level of operational reliability remains guaranteed. Our vehicles not only offer a long range, but also the necessary power for transporting materials and tools. A decisive advantage for trade businesses is the ability to power tools and machinery directly via the vehicle battery. This turns your service vehicles into a mobile and self-sufficient workshop. Retrofitting to a HEERO electric drive is the ideal solution for using your Sprinter as a mobile workshop. Thus, our vehicles prove their superiority in tough daily work.
Sustainability as a Competitive Advantage: Circular Economy and ESG Goals
The decision to convert is a strong commitment to sustainability and significantly improves your ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) balance. Instead of scrapping a fully functional vehicle, we extend its life cycle by at least 10 years. This circular economy approach reduces the need for new raw materials such as steel and aluminum by several tons per vehicle. You not only avoid production emissions but also position your company as a responsible partner. Many large corporate clients and public sector clients now demand verifiable sustainability efforts from their service providers. With a converted fleet, you not only meet regulatory requirements but also create a clear competitive advantage in tenders. The use of your existing fleet is the most consistent step into a greener future.
Seamless integration: retrofitting process and charging infrastructure from a single source
We understand that the conversion of your fleet must be smooth and without long downtimes. Our standardized conversion process ensures exactly that. Within just 10 working days, your diesel vehicle becomes a fully-fledged electric van.
The process is extremely simple for you:
Analysis: We inspect your existing vehicle and advise you on the optimal configuration.
Conversion: Our experts remove the diesel powertrain and integrate the HEERO electric drive.
Quality assurance: Every vehicle undergoes rigorous testing to guarantee the highest quality and safety.
Handover: You receive your converted vehicle back, including all registration documents.
We also do not leave you alone when it comes to charging infrastructure. We advise you on the right charging solutions for your business location and support you in applying for subsidies; the KfW program 441 recently offered up to €45,000 in grants per location. This way, you bypass long delivery times for new vehicles and receive a turnkey solution. This holistic approach ensures the fast and efficient electrification of your fleet.
More useful links
Statista offers statistics on the stock of trucks with alternative drives in Germany.
The Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) provides a product catalog with statistics on vehicles.
Statista presents a survey on the range requirements for electric trucks.
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport offers information on the vehicle stock in Germany.
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides information on the Climate Protection and Mobility (KSNI) funding program.
The Öko-Institut offers a publication on the economic viability of electromobility in commercial applications.
The Fraunhofer ISI provides a press release on deployment planning for electric trucks, potentials, and costs.
The German Environment Agency offers an analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
