BVG orders another 270 electric articulated buses from Solaris – framework agreement for up to 700 vehicles

Berlin’s public transport operator BVG continues its ambitious transition to electric mobility: following the delivery of the first 50 Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses, the company has now placed an additional order for 270 articulated units of the same type.

The order is part of a framework agreement signed in December 2023, which allows for the procurement of up to 700 electric articulated buses over a period of eight years. This flexible arrangement enables BVG to respond to operational needs and infrastructure development in a demand-driven manner.

“Fleet electrification and infrastructure modernisation are among the biggest challenges faced by public transport operators across Europe today. BVG is addressing them in an exemplary way, consistently investing in the best zero-emission solutions on the market. Being awarded this new – and record-breaking – order is a strong sign of our successful, long-standing partnership,” said Christian Goll, Managing Director of Solaris Deutschland GmbH.

The new vehicles will be equipped with Solaris High Energy batteries and can be charged both via plug-in connectionand pantograph, depending on the operational scenario and available infrastructure.

Background: Electric buses in regular operation in Berlin

BVG has been operating electric buses in regular service since 2018. The first batch included 30 solo e-buses from Solaris and Mercedes-Benz. The fleet has since grown steadily:

• 2019: Introduction of 15 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro and 15 Solaris Urbino solo buses
• 2020–2022: Delivery of 197 additional e-buses, including Solaris Urbino 12 and 18 electric and Ebusco 2.2
• Total fleet (as of mid-2025): 265 electric buses, deployed mainly in central Berlin and some outer districts, using depot charging and pantograph systems

In parallel, BVG is investing in expanding its charging infrastructure at major depots such as Indira-Gandhi-Straße and Cicerostraße, alongside digital systems for charging and fleet management.

The long-term goal is to fully transition the bus fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2030 even if it was communicated end of last year that further investment into e-mobility was halted. We reported here:

The newly ordered Solaris articulated buses will play a key role in delivering clean, quiet and reliable service on Berlin’s busiest bus routes.