18th March 2026

Topping-Out Ceremony for the New BVG Bus Depot at Säntisstraße – Charging Infrastructure for Emission-Free Bus Operations

Partner Stories

Insights

Press Release

von Iinks_ Dr. Stephan Nahmer, Ingo Hiller, Ute Bonde, Alexander Bonk, Henrik Falk © BVG, Florian Bündig

von links: Dr. Stephan Nahmer (Geschäftsführer SBRS), Ingo Hiller (ZECH Bau, Projektleiter ARGE BVG Säntis), Alexander Bonk (BVG-Projektleiter), Ute Bonde (Senatorin für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt), Henrik Falk (BVG-Vorstandsvorsitzender)

Copyrights: © BVG, Florian Bündig

On 18th March 2026, the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) AöR celebrate the topping-out ceremony for the construction of their new central bus depot at Säntisstraße 95–129 in the Berlin district of Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Marienfelde. With the development of this highly modern site for emission-free bus transport, BVG is sending a strong signal for the future of mobility in the capital.

The approximately 66,000 m² site will house a highly functional depot with a total gross floor area of more than 21,900 m².

The plans include an administration building with offices, a canteen, a sports room, and recreation areas, as well as a spacious workshop and service hall, outdoor and green areas, and extensive parking facilities with integrated charging infrastructure for electric buses. The workshop hall will be equipped with twelve workshop bays and eight service bays, some with roof workstations, crane systems, and service pits, as well as two drive-through washing facilities and an underbody washing system.

The construction of the new depot involves impressive quantities of materials and structural components: 11,240 m³ of in-situ concrete and 3,845 m² of prestressed hollow-core slabs will be installed, along with 1,510 tonnes of reinforcing steel, 3,280 m² of masonry, and 100 tonnes of structural steelwork. The halls include 120 cantilever columns with socket foundations weighing 9 tonnes each, 97 main beams – the largest measuring 30.30 meters in length and weighing 49 tonnes – as well as 492 secondary beams.

A key focus of the new construction is the charging infrastructure for electric buses. The depot will be equipped with a total of 259 charging points and 203 charging units. These include 194 chargers with 150 kW each and nine HPC chargers with 300 kW, seven of which can be upgraded in the future to up to 450 kW. The charging infrastructure primarily provides hood charging, with optional plug-in charging under consideration. The installed capacity amounts to 31.8 MW with a grid connection capacity of 10 MW. Sophisticated load and charging management, as well as integrated depot management systems, ensure efficient operation. In addition, a complex IT network with enhanced security standards is being installed. The 36 charging-technology buildings are organized into nine station rows, each with two 1,600 kVA transformers, medium- and low-voltage systems, and up to 24 chargers per row. The depot’s own medium-voltage ring structure and air‑cooled systems with noise absorbers ensure reliable and safe system operation. The charging points and operational processes are designed for various bus sizes, from 12‑meter standard buses to 18‑meter articulated buses and double-deckers. The structural design includes a total of 192 fire-wall panels with a combined length of 607 meters, dividing the charging areas into separate fire sections and ensuring a particularly high level of safety. In addition, 49 trusses with a total length of 940.5 meters and 155 supports are being installed to carry the structures of the charging zones. The entire depot is connected to BVG’s central control systems, supporting efficient, safe, and future-proof management of electric bus operations.

Uniform components, flooring, and systems enable optimized service and maintenance processes, while high safety standards for fire protection, building security, and IT infrastructure are implemented.
“With this new construction, we are creating the infrastructural foundation for an emission-free bus fleet and consistently driving forward the transition toward a future-oriented public transport system in Berlin,” emphasizes Ingo Hiller, Senior Project Manager at ZECH Bau SE, Berlin branch. “Delivering a turnkey depot for an all-electric bus fleet demonstrates how rapidly the planning of high-performance charging infrastructure for large commercial vehicle fleets is advancing. All the more, we are pleased to implement our innovative and flexible charging solutions in the federal capital,” adds Dr. Stephan Nahmer, Managing Director of SBRS GmbH.

von links: Alexander Bonk, Ute Bonde, Henrik Falk

Visualisierung E-Bus-Betriebshof Säntisstraße

The project is being realized by ARGE BVG Säntis, consisting of Zech Bau SE and SBRS GmbH, acting as general contractor

Project management is provided by Drees & Sommer, while Sweco GmbH serves as general planner. With the new depot, BVG is making a significant contribution to sustainable mobility in Berlin and strengthening electromobility in public transport.

ZECH Bau SE
ZECH Bau SE is part of the ZECH Building business unit, which brings together all construction expertise within the Zech Group SE. The group acts as a strategic management holding company that combines three business units with their operational management entities. Its diverse range of services makes the company a strong partner in the areas of Building, Real Estate, and Hotels. As a broadly diversified corporate group, it focuses on the entire value chain around real estate. With its medium-sized, owner-managed structure, the Zech Group is able to seize opportunities quickly and adapt its structures efficiently to market requirements.

SBRS GmbH
Since 2022, SBRS GmbH has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Deutschland GmbH. As a turnkey solution provider, SBRS delivers customized charging infrastructure solutions—from initial planning and installation to operation, service, and maintenance. Customers receive a reliable and future-proof complete solution from a single source.
Whether for municipalities, transport operators, logistics, or industrial sectors, SBRS helps companies efficiently electrify their fleets and establish clean, sustainable operations. The company ensures optimal availability of the charging infrastructure. With decades of technical expertise and a strong commitment to innovation, SBRS guarantees fast charging times, maximum operational readiness, and top quality.
The portfolio includes charging and software solutions for e‑buses, e‑trucks, and maritime applications, as well as comprehensive project and operational services. In doing so, SBRS makes a key contribution to the decarbonization of the transport sector and helps shape clean and sustainable mobility for the future.