Turkish Bus Manufacturer to Launch Fuel Cell Buses in 2025
Karsan, a leading Turkish bus manufacturer, has partnered with Toyota to develop and launch its first fuel cell buses by 2025. The hydrogen-powered buses will feature the latest generation of Toyota’s fuel cell modules. This partnership marks a significant step towards the decarbonization of public transport.
Toyota’s 85 kW Fuel Cell Modules
Under the new partnership, Toyota will equip Karsan’s 12-metre hydrogen bus, the e-ATA Hydrogen, with its 85 kW fuel cell modules. This upgrades the 70 kW fuel cell showcased during the bus’s premiere at the IAA Transportation 2022. Toyota’s plant in Zaventem, Belgium, will supply the fuel cell modules. Karsan expects the first H2 buses featuring this technology to roll off its production line in 2024.
e-ATA Hydrogen: Key Specifications
Although Karsan has not released updated performance data for the future H2 buses, the company previously shared the following specifications for the e-ATA Hydrogen:
- Wheel hub motors will power the 250 kW electric drive system
- Five cylindrical pressurized tanks will store hydrogen
- A 30 kWh supplementary battery with lithium titanate cell chemistry will support the system
- Karsan will offer chassis options with two or three doors
- The bus will transport up to 95 passengers
Strengthening Karsan’s Position in Sustainable Mobility
Okan Baş, CEO of Karsan, emphasized the company’s commitment to pioneering innovations in the field of mobility. He stated that the partnership with Toyota will strengthen Karsan’s position by incorporating outstanding Japanese technology.
Toyota’s Vision for a Hydrogen Society
Thiebault Paquet, Vice President of Toyota Hydrogen Factory Europe, expressed Toyota’s firm belief in hydrogen’s crucial role in the future decarbonization of public transport. He sees the partnership with Karsan as a step towards achieving Toyota’s vision of a hydrogen society.
As the demand for sustainable public transport solutions grows, the Karsan-Toyota collaboration showcases hydrogen fuel cell technology’s potential to reduce the transportation sector’s carbon footprint.
