Range modification

Sprinter Electric: Electrify your fleet with 80% funding until 2025 and reduce costs.

09.02.2025

Minutes

Federico De Ponte

Experte für Beratung bei Auctoa

05.08.2025

8

Minutes

Jan Schreiter

Profitability Expert

Up to 425 km range after a diesel-to-electric upgrade – without the costs of a new vehicle. The time to electrify your Sprinter fleet is now, as the current funding round ends on August 31, 2025.

The topic briefly and concisely

The current funding round for e-commercial vehicles with 80% subsidy for retrofitting and 40% for charging infrastructure ends on August 31, 2025.

The conversion of a Sprinter to electric drive (Sprinter Electric) significantly reduces total operating costs (TCO) through lower energy, maintenance, and toll costs.

With a range of up to 425 km and a charging power of 135 kW DC, converted Sprinters are a powerful and sustainable alternative to purchasing new ones, preserving existing special bodies.

Rising diesel prices, strict climate regulations, and impending access restrictions pose enormous challenges for fleet managers. Many shy away from the high investment costs for new e-vehicles and the complexity of the funding landscape. But there is a pragmatic solution: retrofitting your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This article shows you how with a Heero Sprinter electric conversion, you can not only reduce the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) by over 50%, but also benefit from a state subsidy of 80%. Act now, as the application deadline for this attractive subsidy ends on August 31, 2025.

First August 31, 2025: Secure 80% funding for your electric Sprinter.

The time to switch to an electric fleet is pressing, as the current funding guideline from the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) is set to expire. Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025, to benefit from the exceptionally high subsidies. This funding covers up to 80% of the additional costs for the purchase or Diesel-to-Electric (DTE) conversion of your Sprinter. Additionally, up to 40% of the costs for the establishment of the necessary charging infrastructure are subsidized. The funding comes partially from the German Reconstruction and Resilience Plan (DARP), which underscores its importance for the national climate strategy. For fleet operators, this represents a unique opportunity to drastically reduce the investment costs for a future-proof electric drive. The expiration of this guideline marks a turning point after which electrification will become significantly more capital-intensive.

Total Cost of Ownership: Reduce your operating costs by over 50%

The total cost of ownership (TCO) is the key metric for the economic efficiency of your fleet. It includes not only the purchase but also all ongoing costs such as energy, maintenance, taxes, and insurance. Studies show that battery electric trucks are already or will soon be cheaper to operate than diesel counterparts. A Heero Sprinter Electric significantly reduces your variable costs: electricity costs per 100 kilometers are far below the expenses for diesel. At the same time, costly maintenance work such as oil changes and exhaust system repairs are eliminated, reducing service costs by up to 60%. The exemption from truck tolls for electric vehicles until the end of 2025 and the lower vehicle tax lead to further savings of several thousand euros per year and vehicle. With an intelligent TCO strategy, electrification becomes a direct profit increase. These cost advantages are the key to the long-term competitiveness of your fleet.

Your 4-point plan for electrifying your Sprinter fleet

A structured approach is the key to success. Use this checklist to safely navigate through the conversion process:

  1. Conduct a needs analysis: Analyze the daily travel distances and idle times of your vehicles. Our HEERO DTE Sprinter offers up to 425 kilometers of range, making them suitable for over 90% of all urban and regional operations.

  2. Check and secure funding: Contact us for a free funding analysis. We assess your eligibility for the 80% funding and support you in submitting the application on time by August 31, 2025.

  3. Choose the right solution: Decide between a conversion or a new purchase. For expensive special constructions, the DTE conversion is the most economical option, as your reliable vehicle is retained.

  4. Plan charging infrastructure: We analyze your needs and plan the appropriate charging infrastructure with 40% funding. With DC fast charging of up to 135 kW, your electric Sprinter is recharged to 80% in around 45 minutes.

This pragmatic approach ensures that you fully exploit all economic and ecological benefits.

Performance without compromise: Range and charging performance in detail

The conversion of a diesel to an electric drive (Diesel-to-Electric, DTE) is a core competency of Heero and a prime example of the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle, we upgrade it with state-of-the-art E-technology. This not only conserves valuable resources but also your budget. Our Heero DTE sprinter achieves a practical range of up to 425 kilometers on a single charge. This is made possible by a battery with 110 kWh gross and 96 kWh net capacity. Thanks to a DC fast charging capacity of up to 135 kW, short downtime, such as during lunch breaks, is sufficient to recharge the battery to 80%. This means our patented conversion solution outperforms the performance of many new e-transporters. This way, your existing fleet is prepared for the legal requirements of the future.

Acting in compliance with the law: Understanding the Clean Vehicles Directive

The EU Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) has been implemented in Germany through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG). This directive requires public authorities such as municipalities and their service providers to adhere to fixed quotas for zero-emission vehicles in their tenders. For the period until the end of 2025, for example, 45% of all new buses and 10% of heavy-duty vehicles must be "clean," with half of the bus quota needing to be zero-emission. From 2026, these quotas will become significantly stricter. A converted Sprinter electric is considered a zero-emission vehicle and helps you comply with these requirements 100%. Those who do not act now risk being overlooked for future public contracts. Therefore, this transition is not only an ecological necessity but also a strategic imperative to secure your business. Meeting these standards is a crucial competitive advantage.

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply for the 80% funding?

Eligible to apply for the Electromobility Funding Guidelines of the BMDV are primarily companies, municipalities, and other legal entities that are converting their commercially used vehicle fleets to battery-electric vehicles. We assess your individual eligibility for funding as part of a free analysis.



What does Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) mean?

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) or total operating costs refers to the sum of all costs that a vehicle incurs over its entire lifespan. This includes acquisition, energy (electricity/diesel), maintenance, repairs, insurance, taxes, and tolls. For electric vehicles, TCO is often significantly lower than for diesel vehicles.



What is the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD)?

The Clean Vehicles Directive is an EU directive that has been implemented in Germany through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act. It mandates public contracting authorities and their service providers to meet minimum quotas for the procurement of clean and emission-free vehicles to improve air quality and reduce CO₂ emissions.



Do I retain the warranty on my Mercedes-Benz Sprinter after the conversion?

The original manufacturer's warranty for the drivetrain is replaced by the Heero warranty on all E-components installed by us. All vehicle parts not affected by the conversion retain their original warranty, provided that it is still valid.



What is the lifespan of the battery in a converted Sprinter?

We exclusively use high-quality batteries from Tier-1 manufacturers, which are designed for a long lifespan, typically over 3,000 charge cycles. This corresponds to a holding period of well over ten years with average use, underscoring the sustainability of the conversion solution.



Do you also offer a solution for the charging infrastructure?

Yes, Heero offers a complete solution that also includes the planning and installation of the appropriate charging infrastructure for your depot. This is funded up to 40% of the investment costs under the current guidelines.