The Berlin Senate has significantly reduced funds allocated for the procurement of electric buses for the Berlin public transport operator BVG, citing delayed construction of the Marienfelde depot and subsequent delays in new electric bus arrivals.
The current budget for electric bus procurement is approximately eight million euros, a sharp decrease from the planned 33.11 million euros, as reported by German publication Tagesspiegel. This reduction is part of a broader effort by the governing parties CDU and SPD in Berlin to save 130 million euros on bus and rail services this year.
The Berlin transport administration attributes the budget cut to “delays in the construction of the new depot,” which is also impacting the delivery schedule for the planned electric buses. The specific issue revolves around the Marienfelde depot in Berlin. BVG approved the planning and construction of the facility in February, with a consortium set to construct the new building for 220 electric buses.
Despite the setback, BVG has made progress in electrifying its fleet, with around 228 of its current 1,600 buses being battery-electric. An additional 50 Solaris buses are expected to join the fleet in the coming year. BVG aims to fully electrify its fleet by 2030, but insiders suggest this goal may not be achievable due to the delays in depot construction.
The construction contract for the Marienfelde depot was awarded to a consortium named ARGE BVG Säntis, comprising ZECH Bau SE and SBRS GmbH. SBRS, now a subsidiary of Shell Deutschland GmbH, specializes in charging infrastructure solutions, adding an energy company with charging station experience to the consortium.
The Marienfelde depot will feature 209 charging points with an output of up to 150 kW for overnight charging, along with nine “ultra-fast charging points” with up to 450 kW for quick recharging. Construction is scheduled to take place from 2025 to 2027, following the completion of planning and approvals.
Despite the challenges, BVG remains committed to its electrification efforts, albeit at a slower pace than originally planned. The Marienfelde depot, once completed, will play a crucial role in supporting BVG’s transition to a fully electric bus fleet.
