BVG in Berlin orders an additional 270 Solaris Urbino 18 electric articulated buses

The Berlin public transport company is significantly expanding its electric bus fleet once again: BVG has placed an order for 270 Solaris Urbino 18 Electric articulated buses, each 18 meters long, with the Polish manufacturer. This purchase is part of a framework agreement concluded in December 2023, which allows for the procurement of up to 700 vehicles. In the first phase, 50 units were already ordered, and Solaris has since delivered them. This flexible, demand-driven arrangement enables BVG to continuously develop its electric bus fleet with further orders until 2031.

The manufacturer recently completed the delivery of the first series of 50 units, notable for their almost unique battery capacity in the market, with each vehicle equipped with a battery passport. Like the first series, the newly ordered units will feature a Solaris High Energy battery pack with a total capacity of over 700 kWh, composed of modules with a capacity of 102.9 kWh each. The high-energy-density lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt-oxide (NMC) battery pack can be charged via a CCS Combo 2 plug-in socket and a pantograph solution. A centrally located asynchronous traction motor with a power output of 240 kW will ensure direct drive. The factory eSConnect fleet management system will support the smooth and efficient operation of the buses.

The interiors of the vehicles naturally meet the requirements of modern urban public transport and the internal layout standards defined by BVG. The articulated electric buses, which can accommodate approximately 100 passengers, include 41 seats. In line with the barrier-free design, multipurpose areas provide space for wheelchairs and strollers, while onboard comfort is enhanced by USB charging points, large passenger information monitors, and an acoustic entry signal for visually impaired passengers.

Currently, 278 purely electric buses are in service in BVG’s fleet, which comprises approximately 1,500 vehicles, making up nearly 20% of the company’s fleet. The majority of the zero-emission vehicles are manufactured by Solaris: currently, 106 Solaris Urbino 12 electric solo and 67 Solaris Urbino 18 electric articulated buses are operating on Berlin’s roads. The remaining 105 vehicles represent models from Daimler Buses and Ebusco.