Anticipates an additional 150 electric buses for BVG in the upcoming year
Berlin's BVG Transitioning to a Zero-Emission Public Transportation System
The Berlin Transport Authority (BVG) is embarking on a significant transformation, aiming to make its entire bus fleet emission-free by the early 2030s. This transition, part of a broader European trend towards zero-emission public transport vehicles, is being spearheaded by the deployment of battery-electric buses, with alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen also under consideration.
The BVG's ambitious plans include the construction of a new depot at Sântisstraße in Marienfelde, fully oriented towards electric buses. Scheduled for completion in 2027, this depot will accommodate 220 buses, marking a significant step in the BVG's transition to a more sustainable public transportation system. By the end of 2027, the BVG aims to have one-third of its fleet (550 vehicles) electrically powered.
The new depot is a crucial part of the BVG's strategy to have 550 electric buses by the end of 2027. Another 120 electric buses will be added to the BVG's fleet by 2027, and an additional 150 articulated electric buses from the manufacturer Solaris are expected next year.
While battery-electric drives are the primary focus, the BVG does not exclusively rely on them. Hydrogen fuel cell buses are being evaluated or utilized to complement battery-electric buses, addressing range and refueling time challenges. Tests are also being conducted with fuels made from used plant and cooking oil (HVO) to allow newer diesel vehicles to run longer.
Further electric bus depots are planned on the Köpenicker Landstraße and the Rummelsburger Landstraße, as the BVG continues to explore various alternatives to achieve a fully emission-free bus fleet. By 2030, the BVG aims to comprehensively expand and modernize workshops and rail facilities to support this transition.
Europe expects to have up to 108,000 zero-emission buses on the road by 2030, combining battery-electric and fuel cell buses. The rapid growth of battery-electric bus registrations in Europe, from about 2,000 in 2020 to over 6,000 by 2023, demonstrates strong momentum for electric bus adoption. Hydrogen fuel cell buses, together with battery-electric buses, contribute to the zero-emission vehicle category, accounting for over 25% of new city bus registrations in 2020.
Berlin, along with other German cities, is actively involved in piloting and operating electric buses and exploring autonomous bus technologies as part of its environmental and operational goals. The phasing out of diesel buses in favor of battery-electric models with modular high-performance batteries charged via dedicated infrastructure is a key aspect of this plan.
However, the specific percentage of battery-electric vehicles in the BVG's fleet by the early 2030s has not been definitively stated. The BVG's long-term use of hydrogen drives in its fleet remains uncertain. Regardless, the construction of the new depot at Sântisstraße and the BVG's commitment to a zero-emission fleet by the early 2030s underscores the city's dedication to a more sustainable public transportation system.
[1] European Union's Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFID) [3] European Union's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation [5] Berlin's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) 2030
The European Union's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation aligns with Berlin's commitment to a zero-emission public transportation system, as the city aims to have a significant number of zero-emission buses on the road by the early 2030s. The BVG's transition to a zero-emission fleet involves not only battery-electric buses but also hydrogen fuel cell buses, reflecting the broader trend in the environmental-science sector. Finance plays a crucial role in this transition, as investments in technology, such as those for the construction of electric bus depots, are essential for achieving the goals outlined in Berlin's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) 2030.
