Germany, Dahme-Spreewald deploys 16 ebuses from BYD for regional transport

The German regional transport company Regionale Verkehrsgesellschaft Dahme-Spreewald (RVS), south of Berlin, has officially deployed 16 new battery-electric buses. Supported by federal and regional funding, the new fleet is now in operation—primarily serving the northern parts of the Dahme-Spreewald district in Brandenburg.

RVS launches electric buses in Dahme-Spreewald

The 12-meter-long low-floor buses, provided by BYD, are equipped with a 400 kWh battery pack that allows a range of up to 300 km and can be recharged in under two hours, the operator states. The buses are also fitted with camera mirror systems in place of conventional side mirrors.

The project is part of Germany’s nationwide push to modernize public transport fleets in line with the Clean Vehicles Directive. It benefits from a €5.7 million federal grant provided through the “Funding Guideline for Alternative Drives in Public Transport,” coordinated by NOW GmbH and managed by Projektträger Jülich. The district itself has contributed a further €4.4 million despite budgetary constraints, underlining its commitment to sustainable mobility.

In total, the RVS has invested €11.1 million into the new electric fleet and associated charging infrastructure.

Each bus accommodates 71 passengers and includes designated spaces for wheelchairs and strollers, reflecting a strong focus on accessibility. Additional features such as USB charging ports and free Wi-Fi are expected to improve overall passenger satisfaction.

Siegfried Richter, Managing Director of RVS, says “The new buses are to be primarily deployed in the north of the district. Passengers can look forward to more space inside, which increases travel comfort for both schoolchildren and passengers with limited mobility. Modern, environmentally friendly, quiet, and emission-free mobility in our region.”

Patrick Schnieder, Federal Minister for Transport: “Modern buses are, especially in rural areas, the backbone of public transport. That is why the federal government supports the transport companies in modernizing their fleets and switching to environmentally friendly drives. I am pleased that, through our funding, 16 new electric buses from RVS GmbH are coming onto the road in the district of Dahme-Spreewald – an important step for a modern, even more climate-friendly local transport for all.”