Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe is progressing with the construction of two new electric bus depots, marking a key step in the German capital’s transition to zero-emission public transport.
At the Säntisstraße site in Berlin’s Marienfelde district, BVG recently held a topping-out ceremony, following a similar milestone at its second depot project in Treptow three months earlier. Construction at the Marienfelde site began in mid-2025 and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
The Marienfelde depot, spanning approximately 6.6 hectares, is designed exclusively for battery-electric buses and will accommodate up to 220 vehicles. Together with the Treptow facility, the two depots will provide capacity for around 440 electric buses—close to one-third of BVG’s planned future fleet.
The site will include 209 pantograph charging points with up to 150 kW capacity for overnight charging, as well as nine ultra-fast charging stations capable of delivering up to 450 kW. Additional infrastructure such as inverter stations, charging masts and a transfer station will support operations, including for double-decker buses.
Henrik Falk said the rapid construction progress demonstrates the operator’s commitment to electrification, adding that the depot is on schedule to begin operations next year.
Both new depots will feature automated depot management systems designed to optimise vehicle scheduling, parking and charging processes, supporting more efficient fleet operations.
Alongside depot construction, BVG is expanding Berlin’s wider charging network, including installing pantograph charging stations at up to 20 terminal stops. This allows buses to recharge during service, reducing the need to return to depots and enabling more flexible route planning.
BVG currently operates around 280 electric buses within a fleet of approximately 1,500 vehicles. The operator has ordered an additional 270 articulated electric buses, with the first units expected to be delivered by mid-2026. It aims to have about 500 electric buses in service by 2027.
However, BVG has adjusted its long-term electrification timeline, now targeting full transition in the 2030s rather than by 2030. The operator expects battery-electric buses to account for 80% to 90% of its fleet by 2035, with alternative fuels such as HVO used for the remainder.
The development highlights both the progress and challenges of large-scale public transport electrification, as infrastructure expansion and operational adjustments continue to shape the pace of adoption.
Source: Electrive