Secure THG-quote for your retrofitted electric fleet: A 4-step plan
Is your fleet already electric? Secure an annual premium for your CO₂ savings now. We will show you how to claim the THG quota for your converted electric fleet and why taking action quickly is crucial.
The topic briefly and concisely
You can apply for a THG premium annually for each retrofitted, fully electric commercial vehicle, which reduces operating costs.
The deadline for applying for the 80% funding for the conversion ends on August 31, 2025.
A specialized service provider takes care of the entire process of applying for THG credits with the Federal Environment Agency for your fleet.
Rising diesel prices, strict climate regulations, and high bureaucracy burdens your fleet balance. Converting to electric drive is the first step, but the potential is greater. With the greenhouse gas reduction quota (THG quota), you can turn your CO₂ savings into a recurring source of income. This guide explains the four key steps to claim the premium for your converted fleet. Act now, as the current funding guideline from the BMDV with an 80% subsidy for the conversion is only available until August 31, 2025.
Your 4-point checklist for the THG premium
The process of applying for the THG premium is straightforward when done in an organized manner. For fleet managers, this means a predictable additional source of income with minimal effort. Follow these four steps to claim your entitlements.
Analyze vehicle inventory: Check which vehicles in your fleet are eligible. This includes all purely battery-electric commercial vehicles of classes N1, N2, N3, and buses of class M3, including all existing vehicles that have been electrified through a diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE).
Digitize documents: A copy of the registration certificate part I (vehicle registration) is required for each individual vehicle. Keep these scans or photos ready for a quick upload.
Hire service providers: You do not need to submit the application yourself to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). A specialized service provider consolidates the applications for your entire fleet and handles the complete process, from certification to marketing.
Observe deadlines and receive premium: The service provider must submit the applications to the UBA by the deadline of November 15 of each year. After successful evaluation, which can take up to 16 weeks, the premium will be paid directly to you.
This annual premium directly improves the total costs of your fleet and accelerates the amortization of your investment.
Regulatory drivers: Why action must be taken now
Two essential regulations create urgency and at the same time a unique opportunity for fleet operators. The combination of direct funding and legal requirements makes electrification unavoidable and economically attractive. Understanding these framework conditions is the key to maximizing your benefits.
BMDV Funding: 80 Percent Grant for Conversion
The Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) actively supports the transformation. Under the KsNI guideline, 80% of the additional investment costs for the purchase or conversion of electric commercial vehicles are funded. Additionally, 40% of the costs for establishing the necessary charging infrastructure are subsidized. The crucial point is the deadline: Applications for this funding must be submitted by August 31, 2025. A quick amortization calculation shows the enormous potential.
Clean Vehicles Directive: Legal Obligation for Public Fleets
The Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD), implemented in Germany through the Clean Vehicles Procurement Act (SaubFahrzeugBeschG), obligates public authorities to adhere to fixed quotas. By 2025, for example, 10% of the procured heavy commercial vehicles and 45% of buses must be low-emission. This creates significant pressure on municipalities and their service providers, making the conversion a strategic necessity.
Economic efficiency and sustainability through conversion
The decision for electrification must be economically and ecologically sound. Retrofitting existing diesel vehicles offers clear advantages over purchasing new ones and is a central component of the circular economy. It saves not only budgets but also valuable resources.
Optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes all costs over the lifetime of a vehicle, not just the purchase price. A diesel-to-electric conversion (DTE) significantly reduces the TCO. Lower maintenance and energy costs compensate for the initial investment, which is further reduced by the 80% subsidy. The annual GHG premium acts as a direct additional income that positively impacts the TCO balance, making sustainable fleet modernization also economically measurable.
Heero Technology: Performance that convinces
Our retrofitted vehicles are based on proven technology and deliver reliably in everyday work. The specifications speak for themselves:
Ranges: Up to 500 km in the eTransporter and up to 425 km in the DTE-Sprinter enable full operability.
Battery Capacity: All models use a 110 kWh (gross) battery, which means 96 kWh of usable energy.
Fast Charging Power: With up to 135 kW DC charging power (even 165 kW for the medium low-floor bus), the vehicles are back at 80% capacity in about 40 minutes.
These performance data prove that a conversion does not mean compromises in practicality.
Mini Case: A municipal fleet calculates retroactively
An urban municipal yard operates a fleet of 15 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with expensive special bodies. A new purchase of the electric vehicles, including new bodies, would cost over 1.5 million euros. Instead, the fleet manager chooses the DTE conversion by Heero.
The investment is reduced by 80% thanks to the BMDV guideline. Additionally, the fleet manager claims the greenhouse gas emission quota for all 15 retrofitted electric commercial vehicles (class N1). With a premium of 105 euros per vehicle, for example, this results in an annual additional income of 1,575 euros. This income is recurring and reduces operating costs year after year. The investment in conversion thus becomes a double benefit.
Your advantage with HEERO: Partnership for a profitable future
The electrification of your fleet is more than an ecological measure – it is an economically smart decision. By combining 80% conversion funding with the annual GHG bonus, you create a sustainable and profitable basis for your fleet. Heero stands by your side as an innovative partner, combining the technical excellence of the conversion with a clear cost-reduction strategy. We not only secure your expensive specialty structures but also your competitiveness.
Start your funding analysis: Answer three questions, receive your grant roadmap, and take advantage of the 80% funding.
Button: “To the free analysis”
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More useful links
The Federal Ministry for the Environment provides answers to frequently asked questions about the greenhouse gas reduction quota.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment presents a draft bill for the further development of the greenhouse gas reduction quota.
The Federal Environment Agency informs about the implementation of the 38th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (BImSchV) and the accounting of electricity for electromobility.
The Federal Environment Agency provides guidelines for submitting applications for the GHG quota.
The National Control Center for Charging Infrastructure offers information on the topic of commercial vehicles.
The Federal Ministry for Transport informs about commercial vehicles with alternative drives and climate protection in transport.
The Federal Environment Agency offers an analysis of the environmental balance of vehicles.
The German Energy Agency (dena) highlights the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric trucks, challenges, and solutions.
FAQ
How long does the payout of the THG bonus take?
After your service provider submits the application to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the review and certification by the authority usually takes between four and 16 weeks. Subsequently, the service provider will pay the bonus to you.
Can I apply for the THG quota for leased vehicles?
Yes, what matters is who is registered as the vehicle owner in the registration certificate Part I. If your company is the owner, you can apply for the bonus for your leased vehicles.
What happens if I miss the application deadline?
The THG quota can only be applied for the current calendar year. The submission deadline for service providers at the UBA is November 15. If you miss your provider's internal deadline, the entitlement for this year expires.
Why should I use a service provider and not apply myself?
Directly applying to the Federal Environment Agency is very burdensome for individual fleet operators and only possible from an electricity amount of 100,000 kWh per year. Service providers consolidate thousands of vehicles, manage the bureaucracy, and often achieve better conditions through the marketing of large quota packages.
Is the THG quota also applicable for retrofitted existing vehicles?
Yes, absolutely. As soon as a vehicle is officially approved as a purely battery-electric vehicle, it is fully entitled to the THG quota. This makes the DTE retrofit (Diesel-to-Electric) doubly attractive.
What is the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD)?
The CVD is an EU directive that mandates public authorities to procure clean and emission-free vehicles. It sets binding minimum quotas and thus increases the pressure on municipalities and their service providers to electrify their fleets.
