Electrifying Small: Why SMEs Don't Need to Wait for Big Players

Think Small with Electrification – Why Mid-Sized Companies Don't Have to Wait for the Big Players

The biggest lever isn't in a fleet of 200 vehicles. It's in the first one.

When I talk to managing directors about electrification, I often hear the same things: "It's not ready for us yet." Or: "We'll wait until the infrastructure is in place." Or my personal favorite: "It only pays off with 50 vehicles or more."

That's wrong. And I say that not as an idealist, but as an entrepreneur who has electrified himself – step by step, pragmatically, economically.

Why SMEs Hesitate with Electrification

The reasons are always the same. Too expensive to purchase. Not enough range. No charging infrastructure. Too complex. And of course: "My electrician says it's not possible."

Let me put that into perspective. A VW e-Transporter will cost approximately 45,000 euros net from 2026. A comparable diesel transporter is around 35,000 euros. The difference: 10,000 euros. Sounds like a lot – until you do the math.

After one year, the additional costs are covered. From year two, you're making money. And if you have your own PV system, electricity costs drop by another 60 to 70 percent.

Practical Example: A Craft Business Electrifies

An HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) business in the Stuttgart region – 12 employees, 4 vans – replaced its first diesel with an e-transporter in 2025. Not all four at once. Just one. As a pilot project.

The result after six months: The drivers didn't want to go back. Quieter, more comfortable, cheaper to operate. The range of 250 km is sufficient for 95 percent of all daily operations. For the remaining 5 percent, there are fast chargers – or the second diesel, which is still in the fleet.

Meanwhile, three out of four vans are electric. The fourth will follow in 2026.

Charging Infrastructure: Easier Than You Think

The biggest misconception about electrification is charging infrastructure. Many think of fast-charging parks with 150 kW. However, for a craft business, a simple 11 kW wallbox at the company site is sufficient. Cost: 800 to 1,500 euros plus installation.

The vehicle is parked overnight for 10 to 12 hours. During this time, an 11 kW wallbox charges around 100 kWh – enough for 400 to 500 kilometers. No tradesperson drives 500 kilometers a day.

For those who want a more professional solution, a load management system can be installed. This intelligently distributes available power to multiple charging points and prevents load peaks. Cost: manageable. Benefit: significant.

Funding Landscape 2026: What's Available

The German government has re-launched the e-car subsidy for 2026. Retroactively from January 2026, there will again be a purchase premium of up to 6,000 euros for purely electric vehicles. Applications are expected to open in May 2026. In addition, there are tax advantages: e-vehicles are exempt from vehicle tax until 2030, and private use is taxed at only 0.25 percent instead of 1 percent for internal combustion engines.

For charging infrastructure, there are additional KfW funding programs and regional subsidies. In Baden-Württemberg, for example, the state promotes the development of charging infrastructure at workplaces.

Why Now is the Right Time

The vehicles are here. The funding is here. The economic viability is given. What is often missing is just the first step.

Electrification is not a major project. It is a series of small, pragmatic decisions. And the first one is the most important.

My advice to every mid-sized company: Start with one vehicle. Just one. Gain experience. Let your employees drive it. And then decide whether to continue. The answer will be yes.

Frank Hummel, with REVOLUTION E, advises companies on the electrification of buildings, fleets, and energy systems. Pragmatic, manufacturer-neutral, and economical.