Berlin's Marienfelde Depot accelerates shift to electric buses by 2027

Berlin's Marienfelde Depot accelerates shift to electric buses by 2027

Erica Berry
Erica Berry•
• 2 Min.
A bus travels down a street with tall electric poles and wires, flanked by shops and pedestrians on the left, with buildings, trees, a wall, and a cloudy sky in the background.

Berlin's Marienfelde Depot accelerates shift to electric buses by 2027

Berlin's push for a greener bus network is taking shape at the Marienfelde Depot. The site, now under rapid construction, will soon house 220 electric buses and support the city's shift away from diesel. With key structures nearing completion, the depot is set to play a central role in the capital's decarbonisation plans.

Work at the Marienfelde Depot has reached a critical phase. The administrative building's shell is complete, with most windows fitted and roofing underway. Below ground, the parking structure has also progressed to the shell-and-core stage, while above, the frameworks for service and workshop halls stand in place. Inspection pits for bus maintenance have been installed across the site.

The depot's charging infrastructure is already taking form. The first transfer stations for electric buses are now operational, and essential components for the charging systems have arrived. Once fully equipped, buses will charge via roof-mounted pantographs, ensuring quick and efficient power delivery.

This facility is just one part of a wider expansion. Alongside Marienfelde, a second depot in Treptow is under construction, with additional sites planned at Köpenicker Straße and Rummelsburger Landstraße. Together, they will support Berlin's growing fleet of electric buses, which already numbers several hundred. The city's public transport operator, BVG, has ordered even more to replace older diesel models.

When complete in 2027, the Marienfelde Depot will employ around 180 staff. A digital management system will oversee operations, streamlining maintenance and logistics for the electric fleet.

The Marienfelde Depot will become a hub for Berlin's zero-emission buses, housing 220 vehicles and supporting hundreds of jobs. Its advanced charging and maintenance systems will help the city meet its climate targets. With multiple depots in development, Berlin's transition to a fully electric bus network is gathering pace.