Hamburg-Holstein public transport operator vhh.mobility has officially opened its expanded electric bus depot in Norderstedt, strengthening its infrastructure to support the ongoing electrification of bus services in the Hamburg metropolitan region.
The upgraded facility combines newly constructed and renovated infrastructure and now features 49 charging points, significantly increasing its capacity compared with the original depot opened in 2021.
Expanded Capacity for Electric Buses
Located on Hans-Böckler-Ring in Norderstedt, the depot now covers approximately 11,326 square meters and has space to accommodate around 60 buses.
When the facility first entered operation in 2021, it served a fleet of ten MAN Lion’s City 12E electric buses and featured 12 charging points with charging capacities of up to 150 kW.
Following the expansion project announced in late 2024, the depot now offers 49 charging points, including 37 newly installed chargers.
Siemens Charging Infrastructure
The charging system was supplied by Siemens and utilizes the company’s Flex charging solution designed specifically for depot-based charging operations.
The site has a total installed charging capacity of 6.6 MW, with each charging point capable of delivering up to 150 kW.
The charging infrastructure uses a space-saving design in which charging points are mounted on overhead traverses while power electronics are installed separately.
According to vhh.mobility, the configuration maximizes available depot space while maintaining operational flexibility.
Designed for Overnight Charging
The depot is optimized for overnight charging operations, allowing buses to be parked, charged and prepared for service across 11 parking lanes.
Electricity is supplied through a dedicated transformer station that supports simultaneous charging of multiple vehicles.
The company noted that similar charging concepts are already being used successfully at its depots in Schenefeld and Billbrook.
Sustainable Facility Features
Beyond charging infrastructure, the operations building has also been modernized to support electric bus operations.
The ground floor includes a dedicated maintenance lane, washing facilities and a specialized workshop equipped for servicing battery-electric buses.
To improve sustainability, the depot incorporates rooftop solar panels and geothermal energy systems that help reduce operational energy consumption.
Supporting Fleet Electrification
The expanded depot forms a key part of vhh.mobility’s strategy to increase the number of electric buses operating throughout the Hamburg region.
According to local authorities, approximately 65% of buses operating in the Norderstedt sub-network are expected to be battery-electric by 2028.
While the company originally targeted a fully electric fleet by 2030, it has since adjusted its timeline and now expects complete fleet electrification to be achieved during the 2030s.
The revised schedule reflects a broader trend among major German public transport operators, including Berliner BVG and Hamburger Hochbahn, which have also extended timelines for transitioning entirely to zero-emission bus fleets.
With its expanded charging infrastructure and modernized facilities, the Norderstedt depot provides a foundation for the continued deployment of electric buses and supports regional efforts to reduce emissions from public transportation.