Turkish bus manufacturer Otokar presented its first
all-electric 12-meter bus at the UITP Summit, which will be available in Europe
next year. The company is now already taking part in the first tenders. The model e-Kent C is the brand’s
first electric vehicle and is based on the company’s combustion engine model,
the Kent C. The electric model is driven by the electric portal axle AVE 130 of
the supplier ZF with a maximum power of 250 kW.
The battery pack accommodated in the roof has a
capacity of 300 kWh and should enable a range of up to 300 km. However, the
Otokar e-Kent C is somewhat limited by its charging concept: The company has
decided to design the electric bus for slow charging in the depot. A
fast-charging input point that enables intermediate charging at terminal stops
is not yet planned.
In other respects, the e-Kent C is much more
innovative. The electric bus no longer has side mirrors, but cameras. According
to the manufacturer, these should provide a better view of the road and prevent
blind spots.
The Otokar is not the only electric bus from Turkey:
Temsa also presented its electric models Avenue Electron and MD 9 electriCITY
at the UITP.
