Electric van expert interview: 80% funding was valid until 2024
Already over 3,500 electric buses have benefited from government subsidies – when will you electrify your fleet? The KsNI funding period for electric vans and charging infrastructure ran until 2024; no new funding calls are planned. This expert interview on electric vans shows you the pragmatic path through regulations and cost traps.
The topic briefly and concisely
The 80% KsNI funding for e-transporters and diesel-to-electric conversions ran until 2024; new funding calls are not planned.
A Diesel-to-Electric conversion (DTE) protects investments in expensive specialised bodies and is often more economical than purchasing new vehicles.
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of electric transporters is up to 30% lower than diesel vehicles due to reduced energy and maintenance costs.
Rising diesel prices, impending city driving bans, and complex EU regulations such as the Clean Vehicles Directive are putting your fleet under pressure. The transition to electric vans is not a question of "if," but of "how" and "when." The answer is: now. Until 2024, government funding covered up to 80% of the additional costs of vehicle conversion, and the charging infrastructure was also eligible for funding; the transition remains economically viable even without it. We explain the four decisive steps to lower your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and protect your investments in special bodies through a DTE conversion.
Status Quo 2025: Analyse of pressure to act due to costs and regulation
Operating a commercial vehicle fleet today is characterized by three key challenges: high operating costs, strict bureaucracy, and ambitious climate targets. Diesel prices weigh on your balance sheet with an average of over 1.70 euros per liter. At the same time, the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) required public authorities to achieve a quota of 38.5% for clean vehicles in new acquisitions by the end of 2025. This situation creates a pressure to act that requires a pragmatic strategy.
Here are the decisive facts for your planning:
KsNI discontinued since August 2024: No new funding calls are planned, approved projects will be fully funded.
Up to 80% subsidy: The KsNI directive of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) subsidized the additional investment costs for electric vehicles or conversion until 2024 with up to 80%.
40% for charging infrastructure: The installation of charging stations at the depot was funded with up to 40% of the costs.
Circular economy as an opportunity: An innovative conversion solution conserves resources and your budget by preserving expensive special superstructures.
These framework conditions determine how fleet electrification is economically viable today.
Your 4-point action plan for pragmatic fleet electrification
A structured process is the key to clarifying the funding situation and designing the transition efficiently. With over 1,000 funded companies in the KsNI program alone, a clear roadmap has been established. Follow this 4-point checklist to reach your goals safely.
Requirements Analysis and TCO Forecast: Analyze the driving profiles and application areas of your fleet with at least 10 vehicles. Calculate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to diesel. Our calculations show that operating costs per kilometer can decrease by up to 30%.
Vehicle and Technology Choice: Decide between a new purchase and conversion. For special bodies, the conversion solution saves up to 50% of the costs of a comparable new vehicle. A HEERO Sprinter, for example, achieves a range of up to 425 kilometers.
Funding Application Submission: Gather all necessary documents for the application to the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM). Plan at least four weeks for preparation; the KsNI directive itself ran until 2024. A detailed checklist for funding helps with this.
Charging Infrastructure Planning: Determine the energy demand for your fleet of 5, 10, or more vehicles. Plan the installation of DC fast-charging stations with up to 165 kW to minimize downtime. The 40% subsidy significantly lowered the investment barrier.
With this plan, you transform regulatory pressure into a strategic advantage.
Funding programs in review: Up to 80% of additional costs covered
The previous funding landscape, in particular the directive on the promotion of commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drive systems (KsNI), was the strongest argument for a rapid transition. The federal government provided around 1.3 billion euros for the purchase of vehicles alone. The decisive lever was the 80 percent funding of the additional investment expenditures.
Concretely, this meant: The difference between a new e-transporter and a comparable diesel model was funded. In the case of a DTE conversion, 80% of the entire conversion costs were covered. This makes the continued use of a proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an expensive box body not only sustainable, but also economically superior. A close look at the Total Cost of Ownership shows the long-term savings. In this way, a legal obligation becomes an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Cost comparison: Why retrofitting often beats buying new
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is the most important key figure in fleet planning and includes all costs over the entire service life of a vehicle. While electric vans are more expensive to purchase, they score points with up to 50% lower maintenance and energy costs. A study shows that the operating costs of an electric van can be as low as 10 cents per kilometer, compared to 15 cents for a diesel.
It becomes particularly advantageous with the conversion. Here is an example:
Scenario: A 5-year-old Sprinter with a special body worth 40,000 euros.
Option 1 (New purchase): Acquisition of a new electric van plus a new body for a total of approx. 120,000 euros.
Option 2 (Conversion): Conversion of the existing vehicle for approx. 70,000 euros. The valuable body is retained.
After deducting the 80% subsidy valid until 2024, a personal contribution of 14,000 euros remained of the conversion costs. You protect your original investment and act in the spirit of the circular economy. This calculation makes the decision easy for many fleet managers.
Technology in Focus: Range and Charging Performance in Practice
The practicality of modern electric vans is determined by two key figures: range and charging capacity. Thanks to advanced battery technology, ranges of up to 500 kilometers, as with the HEERO eTransporter, are a reality today. Our vehicles use a battery with 110 kWh gross and 96 kWh net capacity, which is more than sufficient for most daily routes. Even the HEERO medium low-floor bus achieves up to 300 kilometers with its 137 kWh battery.
Charging capacity is equally crucial to maximize vehicle operating times. With a DC fast charging capacity of up to 135 kW (or 165 kW for the bus), the battery is recharged to 80% in around 40 minutes. This performance ensures that no compromises are necessary, even in demanding day-to-day logistics or trade operations. The combination of long range and fast charging disproves the old prejudices against e-mobility in the commercial vehicle segment. A look at our technical conversion solutions shows the potential.
Sustainability as an Economic Factor: Circular Economy Instead of New Purchases
The decision in favor of a DTE conversion is a clear commitment to the circular economy and resource conservation. Instead of scrapping a functional vehicle, its lifecycle is extended by at least eight to ten years. This approach significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint incurred during the production of a complete new vehicle. You retain the proven vehicle base and combine it with a future-proof drive system.
This process not only conserves valuable raw materials such as steel and aluminum, but also protects your original investment. Especially for municipalities, craft businesses, or logistics companies with expensive specialized bodies, this is the most economically and ecologically intelligent path. You not only meet the requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive, but also position your company as a pioneer for a sustainable way of doing business. In this way, ecology becomes a direct economic advantage.
More useful links
The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility provides detailed information on the Climate Protection and Innovation in Commercial Vehicles funding program (KSNI).
The Federal Ministry of Transport provides information on commercial vehicles with alternative drives and climate protection in transport.
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure provides information on the topic of commercial vehicles.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority publishes statistics on new vehicle registrations.
The Federal Environment Agency provides an analysis of the environmental balance of motor vehicles.
The KfW Group provides information on funding for electromobility for companies.
The German Energy Agency (dena) provides a dossier on the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric trucks.
The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) provides information on the drive strategy for commercial vehicles.
The Platform for the Future of Mobility provides information on the charging infrastructure for battery-electric trucks.
