Anticipating an additional 150 electric buses in the upcoming year, according to BVG.
The Berlin Transport Company (BVG) is embarking on a significant transformation towards an emission-free bus fleet, with a focus on battery-electric vehicles, as part of broader European and German goals to electrify public transport by 2030.
The BVG's strategic plan aims to have approximately 66% of its scheduled-service buses electric by 2030, with the goal of achieving a fully emission-free fleet in the early 2030s. This transition involves the acquisition of battery-electric buses, such as those comparable to MAN’s Lion’s City E with large batteries (480 kWh for solo buses and 640 kWh for articulated), which support depot charging and extended daily operation.
The BVG is also investing in advanced traffic modeling to optimise public transport planning and the integration of electric vehicles into its network, ensuring operational efficiency and reliability during the transition. This approach aligns with wider industry trends, including major manufacturers like Mercedes targeting zero emissions in all segments by 2030.
The Sântisstraße depot, the first new depot built by the BVG in over 60 years, is a key part of this strategy. The depot, located in Marienfelde, will be fully oriented towards electric buses and will accommodate 220 buses upon completion in 2027. It will also feature the corresponding charging, workshop, and administration technology for electric buses.
In addition to the Sântisstraße depot, further electric bus depots are planned on Köpenicker Landstraße and Rummelsburger Landstraße in the coming years. By 2030, the BVG plans to extensively expand and modernize workshops and rail facilities.
While the BVG primarily relies on battery-electric drives, it is not focusing exclusively on this technology. The possibility of considering hydrogen drives in the long term has not been ruled out. The BVG is also currently testing HVO fuel as an alternative for diesel vehicles in their fleet. Tests with HVO fuel are being used to keep newer diesel vehicles running longer.
By the end of 2027, the BVG expects to have added an additional 120 electric buses to their fleet, including 150 electric articulated buses from the manufacturer Solaris, which are scheduled to arrive in 2022.
The foundation stone for the new electric bus depot in Sântisstraße was laid today, marking a significant step forward in the BVG's journey towards a fully emission-free bus fleet. The BVG's ambitious plan underscores the company's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport system in Berlin.
[1] https://www.bvg.de/en/press/news/bvg-wants-to-make-its-entire-bus-fleet-emission-free-by-2030 [2] https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/news/company/2021/mar/mb-bus-launches-the-worlds-first-all-electric-intercity-coach/ [3] https://www.transportenvironment.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Zero-emission-buses-mapping-progress-towards-2030.pdf [4] https://www.bvg.de/en/press/news/bvg-presents-its-strategy-for-the-transition-to-electromobility-in-berlin/
The BVG's strategic plan includes an investment in advanced technology to optimize public transport planning and integrate electric vehicles into the network, which aligns with the industry trends such as Mercedes' goal of zero emissions in all segments by 2030. Furthermore, the BVG's commitment to a sustainable and environmentally friendly public transport system extends to the science of environmental science, given their focus on reducing emissions by transitioning to an emission-free bus fleet by 2030.
