Efficient conversion: Retrofit your deep-freeze delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to electric drive
Efficient conversion: Retrofit your deep-freeze delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to electric drive
Rising diesel prices and looming driving bans threaten the profitability of your refrigerated fleet. Retrofitting your proven delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to a powerful electric drive protects your expensive structures and reduces operating costs by up to 50%. Discover the technologically leading solution from Heero.
The topic briefly and concisely
Converting a deep-freeze vehicle to electric drive protects the expensive investment in the eutectic cooling structure and is more economical than purchasing a new one.
Eutectic cooling and electric drive can be ideally combined technologically, as both systems can be charged independently overnight and the cooling does not affect the range.
By converting, the total cost of ownership (TCO) decreases by up to 50% thanks to lower energy and maintenance costs; government subsidies were also available until 2024.
For operators of deep-freeze delivery services, current challenges pose a serious threat: exploding operating costs and increasingly strict environmental regulations are making the use of diesel vehicles increasingly unprofitable. It becomes particularly critical when expensive special bodies, such as eutectic cooling systems, are affected, as their value would be lost in the event of a vehicle replacement. HEERO offers the pragmatic and economically superior solution for this: We enable you to convert your deep-freeze delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to electric drive. Instead of investing in a completely new and expensive electric van, you retain the proven quality of your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and protect your investment in the cooling body. This step not only secures your competitiveness, but also positions your company as a pioneer for sustainable logistics.
Cost trap diesel: Why the time for refrigerated vehicles with combustion engines is running out
Operating costs for diesel vans in refrigerated logistics are rising inexorably. The CO₂ tax alone could make a liter of diesel around 65 cents more expensive by 2030. In addition, there are access restrictions in more and more German city centers, which will be tightened by 2026 under the Clean Vehicles Directive and demand emission-free vehicles. For companies that rely on a functioning supply chain, this means a double burden: rising expenses and decreasing operational capability. Fleets with expensive special bodies, whose value of over €20,000 would be lost in a new purchase, are particularly affected. This development makes sticking to diesel drive systems a calculative and operational risk for any logistics company. The need for a future-proof alternative is therefore more urgent than ever.
Investment protection through circular economy: The benefits of D2E retrofitting
Instead of discarding your proven vehicle along with its expensive refrigerated body, retrofitting offers an intelligent alternative. With the patented conversion process from HEERO, we transform your existing vehicle into a modern electric transporter, following the principle of a sustainable circular economy. This approach not only conserves valuable resources but also significantly protects your budget. The investment in a conversion is significantly lower than purchasing a new electric refrigerated vehicle. You keep your specialized body and benefit from an increase in the value of the overall vehicle. Here are the key advantages:
Preservation of the special body: Your investment in the eutectic cooling system remains 100% protected.
Cost savings: Avoid the high acquisition costs of a completely new electric transporter with a refrigerated body.
Fast availability: Bypass long delivery times for new vehicles; the conversion takes only about 10 days.
Sustainability: Continuing to use the chassis reduces the carbon footprint by several tons compared to new production.
Retrofitting is therefore not only an emission-related decision, but above all an economically sound decision for the future of your fleet.
Technical synergy: Perfect interplay of electric drive and eutectic cooling
A common concern with the electrification of refrigerated vehicles is the performance of the cooling system. When converting a deep-freeze delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to electric drive, this concern does not exist. The eutectic plate system is technologically ideally suited for electric drives. The plates store the cold energy by being charged overnight from the power grid – in parallel with the charging process of the vehicle battery. During the day, the plates release the cold passively without affecting the vehicle's range. The drive and the cooling act as two independent systems that do not draw energy from each other. Our HEERO drivetrain offers a practical range of up to 425 kilometers, which is more than sufficient for most daily delivery routes. In this way, we ensure that both the performance of the cooling unit and the mobility are guaranteed without compromise.
TCO analysis: How to reduce total operating costs by up to 50%
The decision to convert is particularly worthwhile when considering the total cost of ownership (TCO). Compared to a diesel counterpart, the running costs of an electrified Sprinter are drastically lower. A TCO analysis shows that the higher initial investments often pay off within 4 to 6 years. The savings result from several factors, which we break down for you:
Energy costs: Electricity costs per 100 kilometers are around €5-6, while a diesel van consumes fuel worth €12-20 over the same distance.
Maintenance and repair: Maintenance costs for electric vehicles are up to 50% lower, as typical wear parts such as the exhaust, clutch, or oil filter are eliminated.
Taxes and duties: Electric vans are exempt from vehicle tax for 10 years, and the CO₂ tax on diesel is completely eliminated.
Government subsidies: Programs such as KsNI supported acquisition and conversion until 2024 with grants of up to 80% of the additional costs, which significantly reduced the initial investment.
These factors lead to a significant reduction in the total cost of your fleet and make conversion the most economical choice.
Proven implementation: Your way to the e-transporter with HEERO
HEERO has developed a standardized and highly efficient process to convert your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to electric drive in just 10 days. We remove the diesel engine and all associated components and replace them with our patented, high-performance electric drivetrain. Your specialized body with eutectic cooling remains completely untouched. A decisive advantage is that the original vehicle identification number (VIN) and the registration are retained. This significantly simplifies the administrative effort. Our offer is aimed at all fleet operators, from logistics companies and municipalities to specialized trade businesses such as bakeries that rely on a reliable cold chain. We offer a comprehensive solution ranging from consultation and conversion to service. This makes the transition to electromobility plannable, secure, and pragmatic for you.
Conclusion: Your advantage with HEERO – Economical, sustainable, and future-proof
Converting your deep-freeze delivery vehicle with eutectic cooling to an electric drive is the strategically smartest decision for the future of your fleet. You protect your valuable investments, reduce operating costs in the long term, and effortlessly meet all upcoming environmental regulations. With a range that meets daily demands and technology that integrates seamlessly into your existing processes, HEERO offers the perfect symbiosis of economy and emission balance. As your innovative partner for the electrification of special-purpose vehicles, we accompany you on the path to a locally emission-free and profitable future. Request your personal consultation now or book an everyday test free of charge and experience the benefits yourself.
More useful links
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) provides an information sheet on funding for vehicle conversion under the KsNI program (Climate-friendly Commercial Vehicles and Infrastructure).
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) provides the Federal Government's Master Plan for Charging Infrastructure II to expand the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
The Climate Protection Companies initiative offers a presentation on intelligent cold chain logistics in the context of climate protection and transport.
The Funding Database of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) provides information on the funding of electric commercial vehicle applications and infrastructures.
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) provides data and facts on freight transport in Germany and compares different modes of transport.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes statistics on CO2 emissions from road transport in Germany.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) offers information on e-mobility.
