Karsan electric bus production starting

Turkish bus maker Karsan expects to mass produce its Jest small electric bus range from the end of November.

Its batteries and electric motor are supplied by BMW.

The Jest was displayed at the IAA trade show in Hanover in September and the 5.8 metre bus can carry 26 passengers.

Its electric motor produces 126.7kW of power and 290Nm of torque, reaching a 70km/h top speed.

Batteries from the BMW i3 configuration come in 33, 44, 66 and 88kWh versions.

The range depends on the battery version used and is 80km, 105km, 165km and 210km respectively.

Charging can take about eight hours on standard AC chargers and up to 80% charge in 110 minutes on DC fast charging. Regenerative braking can supply up to 25% of energy recovery.

A three-year or 120,000km battery warranty is provided.

Karsan says the Jest can manoeuvre easily in narrow streets thanks to its compact size, allowing a transportation network to expand and reach every point in a city.

A low floor provides ease of access.

It’s available in Europe and the US.

Karsan also expects to produce an electric version of its eight-metre long Atak with a Dana electric motor producing 230kW of power and 2400Nm of torque.

Its BMW battery system is expected to provide 300km range and can be recharged in 2.5 hours.

The Atak electric model, which can carry 57 passengers, was announced at the IAA expo and Karsan chief executive officer Okan Bas says it’s designed for Western Europe countries.