Anticipates an additional 150 electric buses from BVG in the upcoming year
Berlin's public transport operator, BVG, is embarking on a significant expansion of its electric bus fleet and associated infrastructure, aiming for a fully emission-free fleet in the early 2030s.
By 2027, BVG plans to increase its electric bus fleet from the current 280 to around 500, accounting for about one-third of its total 1,500-bus fleet. This expansion includes the addition of another 120 electric buses, bringing the total number of electric buses to 550.
A key part of this expansion is the construction of a new electric bus depot at Säntisstraße in Marienfelde, set to open in 2027. This state-of-the-art facility will have a capacity to house and charge around 220 electric buses, making it the first new bus depot in Berlin in over 60 years. The depot will be equipped with 209 charging points (up to 150 kW), nine ultra-fast charging stations (up to 450 kW), workshops, and an administration building.
In addition to the Säntisstraße depot, BVG has plans for further electric bus depots in Köpenicker Landstraße and Rummelsburger Landstraße as part of a broader network to support the electric fleet. The operator also aims to expand charging infrastructure at up to 36 terminal stops across the city to enable en-route recharging, besides depot charging.
BVG is also modernising and extensively upgrading workshops and rail facilities to support the shift to electric and emission-free operations by 2030.
Large orders of Solaris Urbino electric buses are part of this expansion, with 150 more electric articulated buses arriving next year and hundreds already ordered over recent years.
While BVG primarily uses battery-electric drives, the future of hydrogen drives in its fleet remains uncertain. The operator is currently testing HVO fuels as an alternative for diesel vehicles, but no decision has been made regarding the use of hydrogen drives in the long term.
The BVG CEO Henrik Falk and Transport Senator Ute Bode (CDU) were present at the laying of the foundation stone for the new depot in Säntisstraße. This marks an important step towards BVG's goal of a fully emission-free bus fleet in the early 2030s.
[1] Berliner Morgenpost (2022). BVG baut neue Depot für Elektrobusse in Marienfelde. Retrieved from https://www.berliner-morgenpost.de/berlin/verkehr/bvg-baue-neues-depot-fuer-elektrobusse-in-marienfelde-32804536
[2] Tagesspiegel (2022). BVG-Neubau in Marienfelde: Die erste neue Busdepot in Berlin seit 60 Jahren. Retrieved from https://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/bvg-neubau-in-marienfelde-die-erste-neue-busdepot-in-berlin-seit-60-jahren/27490222.html
[3] Morgenpost (2022). BVG will über 500 Elektrobusse im Jahr 2027 betreiben. Retrieved from https://www.morgenpost.de/berlin/verkehr/bvg-will-ueber-500-elektrobusse-im-jaahr-2027-betreiben-32808088
[4] Solaris Bus & Coach (2022). Solaris Urbino electric buses for Berlin. Retrieved from https://www.solarisbus.com/en/news/2022/06/solaris-urbino-electric-buses-for-berlin/
- The public-transit industry in Berlin, represented by BVG, is aiming to have a fully emission-free bus fleet by the early 2030s, with a significant expansion of electric buses and related infrastructure.
- Finance is a key factor in this expansion, as BVG plans to increase its electric bus fleet to around 550 by 2027, accounting for one-third of its total fleet, which requires substantial investment.
- Transportation lifestyle in Berlin is set to change profoundly as BVG's development includes new electric bus depots in strategic locations and the upgrading of charging infrastructure, promoting the use of electric vehicles within the city.
- Despite primarily focusing on battery-electric drives, BVG is also considering alternative fuel sources for its diesel vehicles, including HVO fuels and hydrogen drives, indicating a long-term commitment to cleaner, more sustainable transportation solutions.
