Solaris has delivered the first of 50 newly ordered electric articulated buses to Berlin’s public transport operator, BVG. The Urbino 18 electric, featuring a battery capacity of around 700 kWh and 41 seats, marks the beginning of an order placed by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) at the end of 2023. The first unit was handed over exactly one year later, with the full order expected to be completed by 2025.
A unique feature of the first bus is its battery passport, a digital document providing detailed information about the battery’s origin and composition. Solaris states that all 49 remaining buses for BVG will also have this passport, which can be accessed by scanning a QR code on the batteries. The battery passport is part of a European Union regulation that will become mandatory in 2027, but Solaris has implemented it early, setting a precedent in the industry. The EU’s new battery regulation, adopted in August 2023, mandates battery declarations and labeling, including details about components, recycled material content, and an electronic passport.
Solaris justifies its early adoption of the battery passport by emphasizing its leading role in Europe’s zero-emission vehicle market. “To date, Solaris has delivered over 5,000 zero-emission vehicles, with orders continuing to grow. As e-mobility expands, the number of batteries in use increases, making responsible management of this strategic zero-emission transport component essential,” the company said. The buses will be charged overnight at the depot or using a pantograph at final stops.