Investment protection in focus: retrofitting your workshop cart with a shelving system for electric use and maintaining its value.
Your workshop vehicle is perfectly equipped, but the diesel drive is increasingly becoming a cost factor and a limitation? A new investment in an electric vehicle means a total loss of your expensive shelving systems and installations. Learn how to solve this dilemma, protect your investments, and future-proof your fleet.
The topic briefly and concisely
Protect your investment: Upgrade your workshop cart to electric drive and make full use of your expensive shelving systems.
Reduce TCO: Benefit from up to 25% lower operating costs due to reduced energy and maintenance expenses.
Take advantage of grants: Secure government subsidies of up to 80% for retrofitting costs and accelerate the amortization.
For craft businesses and service fleets, the workshop van is more than just a transporter; it is a mobile operations center. The custom-made shelving systems and special structures often represent a value of over 20,000 euros. In light of diesel driving bans and rising operating costs, many decision-makers face a problem: A new e-transporter forces the loss of this valuable equipment. Heero offers a technologically leading solution with the patented D2E conversion (Diesel-to-Electric). We convert your proven Mercedes-Benz Sprinter to a powerful electric drive, without you losing your valuable setups. This not only secures your investment but also sustainably reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO).
The economic dilemma: depreciation of expensive special constructions upon new purchase
A professional workshop cart is an investment that goes far beyond the base vehicle. Custom shelving systems, workbenches, and mounts often cost more than 15,000 euros and are perfectly tailored to daily operations. Switching to a new electric van means in 9 out of 10 cases, having to completely write off this custom and expensive equipment. This depreciation significantly reduces the economic viability of a new purchase. Many fleet managers overlook this hidden cost factor in the TCO analysis. Rising operating costs for diesel vehicles and impending access restrictions in city centers create a pressure for action that requires an intelligent solution. The challenge is to modernize the fleet without losing optimally developed and highly paid structures over the years. A simple transfer of the systems is usually not possible due to different vehicle models and mounting points. It becomes clear that an alternative to new purchases is urgently needed.
The solution: Value-preserving D2E conversion for your existing fleet
Instead of giving up your investments in specialized setups, HEERO offers a pragmatic and economically superior alternative: the D2E retrofit of your existing Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. In this process, we replace the diesel engine and drive train with our powerful, patented electric drive. Your vehicle chassis, body, and especially your complete workshop shelving system remain 100% intact. This approach not only saves your budget but can also be implemented in just 10 days. The benefits of this method are significant:
Investment protection: Your expensive and proven setup is fully utilized.
Cost savings: The retrofit is often cheaper than buying a new e-van with comparable range and performance.
Time savings: No long delivery times for new vehicles and no complex planning for new installations.
Sustainability: By continuing to use the vehicle, enormous amounts of CO2 and resources are saved.
With the value-preserving electro conversion, you position your fleet at the technological forefront. This way, you manage the transition to electromobility without having to compromise on your equipment.
TCO Analysis: How Retrofitting Reduces Total Operating Costs
The higher acquisition costs for electric mobility are often perceived as a hurdle. However, a detailed examination of the total cost of ownership (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) presents a different picture. Converting your workshop vehicle to electric drive significantly reduces operating costs. Studies show that the operating costs for electric transporters are up to 25% lower than those for comparable diesel vehicles. The amortization of the conversion costs often occurs within 4 to 6 years. The savings consist of several factors:
Energy costs: The cost of electricity per 100 kilometers is significantly lower than for diesel.
Maintenance and repairs: Electric drives have fewer wear parts, reducing maintenance costs by over 50%.
Taxes and levies: Electric vehicles benefit from tax exemptions and are exempt from truck tolls until the end of 2025.
CO2 pricing: The rising costs of CO2 certificates continuously increase the operating costs of diesel vehicles.
A precise analysis of the total fleet costs proves that the D2E conversion is not only an ecological but primarily an economically wise decision. This enables long-term and reliable budget planning for your fleet.
Practicality in focus: range and performance for everyday craft work
Concerns regarding the range and performance of e-vans are widespread among fleet managers. HEERO has solved these challenges with German engineering. Our converted Sprinters offer a practical range of up to 425 kilometers on a single charge. This performance more than covers the typical daily distances of craft and service operations from 150 to 250 kilometers. The payload remains at the high level of the original, so you don't have to compromise on tools and materials. The electric motor also delivers instant torque for confident acceleration, even when fully loaded. Your mobile workshop vehicle can even serve as a power source for tools on-site. The conversion is available for all Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models, ensuring the usual reliability and quality of your vehicle base. These performance figures demonstrate that electrification is not a limitation but a technological advancement.
An active contribution to the circular economy and sustainability
If you retrofit your workshop vehicle with a shelving system to electric, you are making a decision for the circular economy. Instead of scrapping a functioning vehicle and producing a new one, you extend its lifecycle by many years. The production of a new transporter generates significant CO2 emissions and consumes valuable resources. Retrofitting reduces this ecological footprint by up to 80%. You not only avoid production waste but also actively contribute to resource conservation. The refurbishment of commercial vehicles can enable material savings of over 6 billion euros per year in Europe. This approach is the most pragmatic form of sustainability, as it combines ecological goals with economic rationale. Companies like WÜRTH are already demonstrating how successful the electrification of existing fleets is. The D2E retrofitting is thus a clear commitment to corporate responsibility.
Government grants as a strategic advantage for the conversion.
The federal government supports the transition to climate-friendly drives in the commercial vehicle sector with attractive funding programs. Companies can receive grants of up to 80% of the additional costs incurred for converting from diesel to electric vehicles. This financial support makes the decision for a D2E conversion even more economical. The funding aims to reduce investment costs and accelerate the market ramp-up of electric commercial vehicles. Heero actively supports you in applying and helps you secure the maximum funding for your project. It is important to act quickly as application deadlines for programs such as the promotion of alternative drives are often short. The combination of TCO savings and government grants makes the conversion an unbeatable strategy for future-oriented fleet operators. Use this advantage to strengthen your competitiveness.
More useful links
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) offers comprehensive information on electric mobility in freight transport.
The Federal Environment Agency provides information on product responsibility for vehicles, including aspects of disposal and recycling.
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) provides a detailed dossier on the subject of electric mobility.
The Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI publishes a press release on the increasing economic efficiency of electric trucks.
FAQ
How long does the conversion of my service van take?
The D2E conversion of your Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at Heero is a standardized process and usually takes only 10 working days. This minimizes the downtime of your vehicle.
Do I lose payload through the conversion?
No, the payload of the converted vehicle remains at a comparable level to the original diesel vehicle. You can continue to transport tools and materials as usual.
For which vehicles do you offer the conversion?
We specialize in the electrification of Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. Our D2E conversion is available for all popular Sprinter models and special vehicles based on them.
What happens to the old diesel engine?
In line with the circular economy, the removed diesel engines and components are professionally reconditioned by us and returned to the market for spare parts, which further increases the sustainability of the entire process.
How can I have the profitability calculated for my fleet?
Contact us for free and non-binding advice. We analyze your specific situation, calculate your potential TCO savings and provide you with a detailed offer.
Can I test a converted van?
Yes, we are convinced of our technology. Heero offers a free everyday test where you can thoroughly test a converted vehicle in your usual work environment.
