BVG is set to launch autonomous buses by the year 2027.
Berlin, the vibrant German capital, is gearing up for a significant shift in its public transport system, with plans to introduce autonomous buses by as early as 2025. However, it's important to note that, as of mid-2025, autonomous buses are not yet integrated into Berlin's public transport network.
The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), the city's public transport operator, is currently focusing on expanding and electrifying its bus fleet with conventional articulated electric buses. This includes the recent order of an additional 270 Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses, part of a framework agreement that could provide up to 700 electric articulated buses over eight years. These buses are equipped with high-energy Solaris batteries and support modern charging technologies, designed to be adaptable for future autonomous driving technologies.
While Berlin is preparing its electric bus fleet infrastructure for potential autonomous buses, no specific deployment or pilot project has been reported within the city itself yet. In contrast, other German regions like Hesse have made more progress with Level 4 autonomous public shuttles, operating fully driverless vehicles under real traffic conditions in pilot projects.
Berlin's focus remains on fleet electrification and infrastructure modernization with readiness for future autonomous integration. However, concrete plans or timelines for autonomous buses joining Berlin’s public transport system have not been disclosed publicly.
Meanwhile, Hamburg is leading the way in autonomous public transport. The city centre is set to launch 20 self-driving minibuses next year, with the BVG partnering on this project. This marks a significant step towards autonomous transport in Germany.
Berlin, too, has ambitions for autonomous buses in its local transport system, with plans to introduce them by 2027. BVG Chairman Henrik Falk believes such advancements are essential for the mobility transition. The city aims to tackle chronic staffing shortages by integrating autonomous vehicles into its public transport network.
Berlin has been experimenting with autonomous vehicles since 2018, including driverless shuttles on Charité campuses and a pilot route in Tegel. More recently, the BeIntelli project has been testing a self-driving, 12-meter bus on city streets, running between Brandenburg Gate and Adenauerplatz, with plans to allow public riders soon.
As the world of transport evolves, Berlin and Hamburg are at the forefront of this change, with autonomous buses set to bring public transport closer to the convenience of private car ownership. Stay tuned for more updates as these cities continue to push the boundaries of transport technology.
[1] https://www.solarisbus.com/en/news/press-releases/2021/03/berlin-public-transport-operator-bvg-orders-additional-270-electric-buses-from-solaris/ [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/berlin-aims-introduce-autonomous-buses-2027-2021-07-30/ [3] https://www.deutschebahn.com/en/about-us/media/press-releases/2021/deutsche-bahn-and-rhein-main-verkehrsverbund-launch-kira-project-for-autonomous-mobility.html [5] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/autonomous-buses-tested-german-city-hamburg-2021-06-24/
The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) is not only electrifying its bus fleet but also preparing its infrastructure for potential autonomous buses, with the new electric buses they ordered equipped with batteries adaptable for future autonomous driving technologies.
In contrast to Berlin, Hamburg is already leading the way in autonomous public transport, launching 20 self-driving minibuses next year, which marks a significant step towards autonomous transport in Germany.
