Anticipates Addition of 150 Electric Buses in Coming Year by BVG - Anticipating an additional 150 electric buses in the next year, according to BVG.
Berlin's Public Transport Authority Aims for Emission-Free Bus Fleet by 2030
The Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) has announced ambitious plans to transition its bus fleet to a completely emission-free system by the early 2030s, focusing primarily on battery-electric technology but keeping the door open for other options.
By the end of 2027, the BVG aims to have one-third of its bus fleet powered by electric drives. This transition will see the delivery of 150 new battery-electric articulated buses in 2026, followed by another 120 in 2027. By this time, more than a third of the fleet of about 1,500 buses (around 550 vehicles) will be electric.
To support this transition, the BVG is investing in new depots specifically designed for electric buses. The first of these, located in Sântisstraße, Marienfelde, is expected to be completed in 2027 and will accommodate 220 buses. This marks the first new garage built by the BVG in over 60 years. Further depots and expanded workshops will follow up to 2030.
BVG CEO Henrik Falk stated that the conversion to battery electric drives may reach 80, 85, or 90 percent. However, the BVG has not ruled out hydrogen drive options in the long term. In addition to the Sântisstraße garage, other electric bus garages are planned on the Köpenicker Landstraße and the Rummelsburger Landstraße.
The BVG is also currently testing alternative fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) to keep newer diesel buses running longer.
This plan places Berlin among cities aggressively decarbonizing public transport fleets with a strong focus on battery-electric technology while keeping flexibility for other technologies. European electric bus registrations are increasing rapidly, and manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and MAN are introducing advanced battery-electric models suitable for large public fleets, aligning with Berlin's deployment plans.
With these ambitious plans, the BVG aims to contribute significantly to Berlin's goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
[1] Berliner Morgenpost, "BVG will 100 Prozent elektrisch fahren: Die Pläne des Berliner Verkehrsunternehmens," 15.06.2021. [2] European Alternative Fuels Observatory, "Electric Buses in Europe: Market Trends and Policy Developments," 2020. [3] Transport & Environment, "Electric Buses in Europe: A Market Overview," 2020. [4] Mercedes-Benz, "E-Citaro: The All-electric City Bus from Mercedes-Benz," accessed 15.06.2021. [5] MAN Truck & Bus, "MAN Lion's City E: The All-electric City Bus from MAN," accessed 15.06.2021.
- The science behind battery-electric technology and alternative fuels like hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is crucial for the successful implementation of Berlin's public transport emission-free policy.
- The automotive industry, specifically manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and MAN, are key players in Berlin's goal of transitioning its bus fleet to an emission-free system by 2030, with advanced battery-electric models suitable for large public fleets.
- The environmental-science sector plays a significant role in Berlin's development of new depots specifically designed for electric buses, contributing to a greener and more sustainable urban transportation system.
- The finance and investment sectors will be crucial in supporting the transition of the Berlin Transport Authority's (BVG) bus fleet, as the BVG invests in new infrastructure like electric bus depots and workshops, and purchases new electric buses.
