Anticipates an additional 150 electric buses from BVG next year
Berlin's public transportation authority, BVG, has announced ambitious plans to convert its entire bus fleet to an emission-free operation by the early 2030s. The focus of this transition will primarily be on expanding the electric bus fleet and building up charging infrastructure.
The Current Situation and Future Plans
Currently, BVG operates approximately 280 electric buses, and the goal is to increase this number to around 500 by 2027. This would account for about one-third of the total fleet of 1,500 buses. Key to this strategy is the construction of dedicated electric bus depots, such as the new Säntisstraße depot, and expanding charging facilities at up to 36 terminal stops across the city.
The new Säntisstraße depot, set to be completed in 2027, will accommodate 220 buses and is part of BVG's plan to have every third bus electrically powered by the end of 2027. In addition to the Säntisstraße depot, new depots are planned on Köpenicker Landstraße and Rummelsburger Landstraße.
Expanding the Fleet and Workshops
In 2027, another 120 electric buses are planned to be added to the BVG fleet. The BVG also aims to comprehensively expand and modernize workshops and rail facilities by 2030.
The BVG expects to receive 150 additional electric articulated buses from manufacturer Solaris next year. Tests are being conducted with fuels made from used plant and cooking oil (HVO) to allow newer diesel vehicles to run for longer.
Focus on Battery-Electric Drives
While hydrogen fuel cell buses are part of the zero-emission bus market from key manufacturers like Daimler, BVG has not specifically announced a large-scale hydrogen deployment. Instead, BVG's approach currently centers on battery-electric technology with substantial infrastructure build-out to enable wide deployment.
The specific percentage of the bus fleet that will be battery-powered is not yet determined, but it is expected to be a significant portion, potentially 80, 85, or 90 percent. The BVG has not yet provided information on whether hydrogen drives will be considered in the long term.
This transition is consistent with broader European and German trends emphasizing electric bus growth as the primary path toward decarbonization of public bus fleets. The new bus depot at Säntisstraße in Marienfelde is the first new bus depot built by the BVG in more than 60 years, marking an important step in Berlin's journey towards a more sustainable public transportation system.
- BVG aims to increase their electric bus fleet to around 500 by 2027, which would account for about one-third of their 1,500 bus fleet, focusing on the construction of dedicated electric bus depots and expanding charging facilities.
- The new Säntisstraße depot, complete in 2027, will accommodate 220 buses and is part of BVG's plan to have every third bus electrically powered by the end of 2027, with new depots also planned on Köpenicker Landstraße and Rummelsburger Landstraße.
- In addition to the expansion of the electric bus fleet, BVG plans to comprehensively expand and modernize workshops and rail facilities by 2030, with the expectation of receiving 150 additional electric articulated buses from manufacturer Solaris next year.
- The focus of BVG's transition is primarily on battery-electric technology, with substantial infrastructure build-out to enable wide deployment, although the specific percentage of the bus fleet that will be battery-powered is not yet determined.
- This transition towards battery-powered buses is consistent with broader European and German trends emphasizing electric bus growth as the primary path toward decarbonization of public bus fleets, and the new bus depot at Säntisstraße in Marienfelde is a significant step towards a more sustainable public transportation system in Berlin, aligning with the trend of sustainable living and home-and-garden practices, as well as the growth of the automotive industry, with a particular focus on electric vehicles.
