E-buses to transform transport—but only if they crack the charging challenge

The public transport sector is moving rapidly to decarbonise, and for a growing number of bus fleets that means electrification. In Europe, electric bus sales set a new record last year and jumped 18.4% from 2020 levels. With many cities setting ambitious CO2 reduction goals and governments targeting climate neutrality by 2050, the rate of uptake should only accelerate. The challenge now turns to charging these vehicles.

Considering their tight operational schedules and greater energy demands, this requires a different approach than charging a private passenger car. Siemens is emerging as a leading player in this field, and its Smart Infrastructure (SI) unit is helping operators navigate the complexities of electrifying their fleets. Birgit Dargel, Global Head of Future Grids at Siemens SI, shares some of the secrets to its successful management of a particularly demanding task.