Electrifying CustomBuild-Fleets: Why Utilising Existing Vehicles is the Best Choice

Electrifying commercial vehicles is no longer just a trend – it’s an economic necessity. But what happens when it comes to specialised vehicles? Refrigerated vans, workshop vehicles, minibuses, and other commercial vehicles with customised builds – do they need to be completely replaced to embrace electromobility?

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HEERO Motors says a clear no! With our patented D2E (Diesel-to-Electric) technology, we demonstrate that preserving existing structures is not only possible but also the most economically and environmentally sensible choice.

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Why Electrification is Now Essential

The demands on fleets are increasing. Managers face mounting pressure to reduce emissions, optimise operating costs, and maintain the functionality of their fleet. Particularly for vehicles with specialised builds, this often seems contradictory. Purchasing new vehicles brings high investments and, above all, long lead times for chassis and customisations. Electrifying existing vehicles, on the other hand, offers a predictable, fast, and cost-efficient solution – without compromises.

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HEERO D2E: A Key System for All Variants

Our technology addresses challenges where other solutions fall short. With HEERO Motors, the conventional drivetrain is replaced with an electric system – while the rest of the vehicle remains fully intact. This means:

• No loss of specialised builds: Refrigeration units, accessible modifications, workshop equipment, or complex custom solutions remain fully operational.

• Maximum performance: With a range of over 400 kilometres, a 110-kWh battery pack, and up to 3.5 tonnes towing capacity, our electrified vehicles meet all the requirements of modern fleets.

• Flexibility: Our solution works for all variants of the Mercedes Sprinter – even starting from standard length L2 with all complex customisations included.

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Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Focus on Economic Viability

Anyone who believes that electromobility must be expensive is thankfully mistaken. Total cost of ownership analysis shows that electrifying existing vehicles becomes economically viable faster than expected:

• Minibuses: With an annual mileage of 70,000 km, an electrified minibus reaches its break-even point compared to diesel operation after just four years – saving around €16,500 annually.

• Refrigerated vans: Compared to purchasing a new electric vehicle with refrigeration units, converting an existing vehicle saves not only costs but also valuable resources and materials.

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Electrification vs New Purchase: The Better Alternative

A typical new vehicle purchase brings not only high investments but also challenges such as long lead times and costly adaptations. Electrification, however, is faster and more efficient:

• Predictability: The patented HEERO D2E Conversion minimises downtime as a standardised retrofit solution and makes the transition to electromobility simple and calculable.

• Sustainability: Preserving existing vehicle structures saves resources and reduces waste or scrapping – a crucial advantage for companies committed to responsibility.

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Conclusion: Utilise Existing Assets, Shape the Future

Electrifying existing vehicles is not a stopgap solution – it’s a genuine opportunity. Companies can continue using their existing infrastructure while benefiting from the advantages of an emissions-free drivetrain. HEERO Motors demonstrates that sustainability and economic efficiency can go hand in hand – without compromising functionality or performance.

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Are you ready for your future today? Contact your expert and discover how HEERO Motors can sustainably transform your fleet!

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P.S.: The editor-in-chief of the portal "Elektroauto News," Michael Neissendorfer, has personally addressed this topic. You can read his perspective in his article, "When Electrifying Existing Vehicles Makes Sense," directly on elektroauto-news.net >>> (german version).