Karsan launches its new fully electric series e-ATA. Karsan’s newest series, e-ATA, the new eco-friendly bus of congested cities, comes in three different models of 10, 12 and 18 meter long. Born electric e-ATA offers versatility on so many aspects, from battery technology to passenger capacity, agile enough to respond to evolving needs. e-ATA comes with seven different battery packs ranging from 150 kWh to 600 kWh, offering a range of up to 450 kilometers in actual driving conditions. Noting that they have already started serial production, Okan Baş, CEO of Karsan said, “We have been looking for a flexible and environmentally friendly answer to address the increasing need for large electric public transport vehicles in crowded cities. The 10, 12 and 18 meter long e-ATA series is a product of our experience with electric vehicles that have so far covered two million kilometers, transferred into the domain of large buses. This makes our electric range a complete solution making us the one and only brand in Europe to offer fully electric vehicles in all sizes from 6 meters to 18 meters. The first orders for the 10-meter e-ATA came in from Romania. We will have delivered our first e-ATA fleet of 10 buses to the Romanian city of Slatina in December. On the other hand, we already signed an agreement for the delivery of fifty-six units of 18-meter long e-ATA buses last month. We aim to deliver these buses to two different cities of Romania by 2022.”
With a factory based in Turkey, Karsan offers transport solutions that meet the mobility needs of the age and it now has introduced the newest member of its fully electric range, the e-ATA. Karsan’s newest series, e-ATA, the new eco-friendly bus of overcrowded cities, comes in three different models of 10, 12 and 18 meter long. Born electric e-ATA offers versatility on so many aspects, from battery technology to passenger capacity, agile enough to respond to evolving needs. The e-ATA series, which come in seven different battery packs from 150 kWh to 600 kWh, can go up to 450 km in its 12 meter long version, while fully functioning as a usual mass transport bus in actual driving conditions, which let passengers alight and get on, with the air conditioning working for a full day in heavy traffic. Also, with its fast charging technology, it can be charged in 1 to 4 hours depending on the size of the battery. Thanks to its e-ATA series, Karsan can now offer fully electric public transport vehicles in all sizes from 6 to 18 meters, aiming at lead the path ahead in electric evolution of urban transport.
“Our electric vehicles covered two million kilometers in two years”
Speaking at the launch event of e-ATA, Okan Baş, CEO of Karsan, said: “All over the world, especially in Europe, there are more and more environmentally friendly initiatives to create a better world for future generations. One of these is the fully eco-friendly configuration of buses that offer round the clock transportation service for the public. The process is even accelerated by government incentives and the target dates set by industrialized countries for transition to zero emission vehicles. Karsan has been at the forefront of this change for two years now. As you all know, we developed the Jest and Atak Electric models, with proven BMW i battery technology, in as short a time as a 1 year in a consecutive process and started with their mass production. We became the segment leader in the European Market in 2020 with the 6-meter Jest electric bus, the creator of its class. The 8-meter long Atak Electric offers the longest range in its class and is in high demand throughout Europe, especially in France, Germany and Romania. On the other hand, we broke new ground with our Autonomous Atak Electric model in the 8-meter class, which we started serial production and introduced to the whole world. In the last two years, our range of electric vehicles covered more than 2 million kilometers in many European countries.”
“We Are Ready to Electrify the Future with Full Electric Product Range from 6 meters to 18 meters”
Mentioning that Europe would be needing large, 100% electric buses like the e-ATA series, Okan Baş, CEO of Karsan, continued, “When we look at the European market for urban buses, we find that 83% of the market consists of 12 and 18 meter large buses. On the other hand, the conversion from diesel to electric buses is increasing rapidly. It is expected that 35% of vehicles sold in 2024 and at least 50% by 2030 will be all-electric. To support this conversion, major cities such as Paris, London and Hamburg are now stipulating zero-emission vehicles for new bus purchases. Anticipating the trend, KARSAN started making entirely new plans five years ago to lead the path ahead. Now, we are present in the whole market with our e-ATA series of 10, 12, and 18-meter fully electric buses which we have put on the market today. This make us reedy to electrify the future with our electrical product range of all lengths from 6 meters to 18 meters.”
Mass production is on, 66 units of e-ATA buses to be shipped to Romania
Okan Baş, CEO of Karsan, continued, “We call this journey “Karsan Electric Evolution”. And this evolution is symbolized by “e”. Following the launch of our new model e-ATA, Jest Electric and Atak Electric will continue their journeys of evolution as e-Jest and e-Atak. The first stop on this journey is to have a product range consisting of electric products. The next stop is to have driverless public transportation vehicles. Today is one of the most important days of this transformation. Karsan continues to break new ground. Introduction of the e-Ata series makes us the first European brand to offer electric vehicles ranging from 6-meter to 18-meter to its customers. We have already begun with the serial production of the e-ATA series. And the first orders for the 10-meter e-ATA already came in from Romania. We will have delivered our first e-ATA fleet of 10 buses to the Romanian city of Slatina in December this year. On the other hand, we already signed an agreement for the delivery of fifty-six 18-meter long e-ATA buses last month. We aim to deliver these buses to two different cities of Romania by 2022. This deal, worth 35 million Euros, is also important as it is Turkey’s largest export of electric buses so far.”
Can run full day on a single charge
Versatile and flexible, e-ATA comes with seven different battery packs ranging from 150 kWh to 600 kWh depending on the need. While its maximum battery capacity is 300 kWh for 10 meters and 450 kWh for 12 meters, it can go up to 600 kWh for its 18-meter class. e-ATA’s wheel-mounted electric hub motors deliver 250 kW of peak power and 22,000 Nm of torque in its 10 and 12 meter-long versions, enabling them to climb the steepest of slopes effortlessly. The maximum power of 500 kW in the 18 meter-long version shows the highest performance even at full load. Thanks to its powerful batteries, the e-ATA 12-meter model offers the possibility of driving up to 450 kilometers on a single charge when the vehicle is full, on a real bus route and with the air conditioning running in the heat of the summer. With a charging power of up to 150 kW with a wired connection, e-ATA can be charged in 1 to 4 hours, depending on the preferred battery pack. This means the vehicle can be operated all day without a second charge. In addition to wired charging, e-ATA also offers a high-capacity fast-charging option that allows drivers to recharge at stops without getting out of the vehicle.
Mirror camera system provides high security with a wide angle of view
Electrically-powered by design, e-ATA offers a solid infrastructure for electric components thanks to its lightweight body and impresses with its futuristic exterior design. Also, its geometry offers passengers a full low-floor interior that promises unobstructed freedom of movement. The e-ATA model offers flexibility in terms of capacity as well as size and electric motor options. With e-ATA, long range is not a trade off for passenger capacity, able to carry 90 passengers with 10 meters, over 100 with 12 meters, and more than 150 with 18 meters, depending on the preferred battery package. With its electric hub motor technology positioned on the wheels, e-ATA offers a large, spacious and ergonomic interior, making the driving experience more efficient. The VDV-compatible driver’s cockpit enables control of the vehicle down to the smallest detail. Drivers have full control over the vehicle, overseeing energy consumption, reading warnings and checking the air conditioning using the screen in front of them. While safety systems such as mirror camera, collision and lane departure warning guarantee the safe travel of the driver and passengers. e-ATA offers high safety thanks to its electrical and electronic infrastructure that complies with the ISO 26262 Functional Safety standard.
About Karsan:
Celebrating its 55th anniversary this year in the Turkish automotive industry, Karsan has been manufacturing at its modern facilities its own vehicles, as well as parts for the world’s prominent brands in the commercial vehicles sector. The company has been engaged in commercial vehicle production since 1981, and its factory in Hasanağa in Bursa has the capacity to manufacture up to 19,870 vehicles a year on a single shift. The Hasanağa factory is a flexible installation that can manufacture all kinds of vehicles in the same facilities from passenger cars and heavy trucks to minivans and buses. It is located 30 km from the Bursa city center and has been established on an area of 200,000 sqm, 90,000 sqm of which is closed space.
Karsan has been the only independent multi-brand light commercial vehicles manufacturer in Turkey for more than 50 years and the next phase for the company, powered and enabled by its business partners and licensers, is to develop bespoke versions of new and existing vehicles in order to extend its presence to all segments of cargo and passenger transportation. Working to “develop innovative products and services from the idea to the market” and to cater to every market segment, Karsan primarily aims to strengthen its Main Manufacturer/OEM business line.
Karsan manages its whole automotive value chain from R&D and manufacturing to marketing, sales, and after-sales activities. Currently, the company manufactures the new H350 light commercial vehicles for Hyundai Motor Company (HMC), 10-12-18 m buses for Menarinibus, and its own Jest, Atak, and Star models. It also manufactures fully electric vehicles, the Jest Electric and Atak Electric line, in partnership with the world giant BMW, and also the Level-4 Driverless bus Autonomous Atak Electric in partnership with the local technology company ADASTEC. Besides vehicle manufacturing, Karsan also provides a range of industrial services in its factory in the Organized Industrial Zone.