M2G Symposium Rio 2025: Bus Electrification in Brazil and Germany
From 10 to 11 September 2025, the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) jointly hosted a two-day public symposium focusing on the integration of electric bus systems and digitalized depots. The event provided a platform to discuss the transition process, impacts, and risks associated with bus and depot electrification in both Brazil and Germany.
Drawing on more than a decade of research, TU Berlin presented insights from the Mobility2Grid (M2G) research campus in Berlin, including projects on fleet electrification with BVG, automated charging technology, and digital depot management. A particular focus was placed on the spatial design of depots and mobility hubs, which play a growing role in the broader energy and transport transition.
UFRJ contributed perspectives on the specific challenges and opportunities of bus electrification in Brazil, emphasizing the metropolitan context of Rio de Janeiro. The symposium aimed to develop context-sensitive solutions for Brazil while establishing the foundation for a long-term research collaboration between both institutions.
Serving as a vital forum for exchange between academia, policy, and industry, the symposium brought together representatives from federal, state, and municipal governments, development banks, vehicle manufacturers, and energy providers.
Discussions addressed topics such as charging infrastructure, financing mechanisms, social acceptance, and the risks and opportunities associated with the transition process.
By combining technical expertise, spatial planning, and social science perspectives, M2G aims to ensure that future electrification strategies are adapted to the diverse spatial, economic, and social conditions in both Brazil and Germany.
All available presentations from the symposium can be downloaded here (under “program”).
