The BMW Group and Turkish manufacturer Karsan have signed an agreement for the supply of BMW i3 motors and batteries for the battery-electric 6-meter city bus “Jest electric”, which is produced in Bursa in Turkey for both the domestic market and for international markets.

The electric motors and high-voltage batteries developed independently by the BMW Group are produced at the BMW plant in Dingolfing. The BMW Group competence center for electromobility has continuously expanded its product capacity and manufacturing expertise over recent years. The electric synchronous motor of the BMW i3 that will be used to power the Karsan Jest electric generates a peak output of 125 kW/170 hp and a maximum torque of 250 N·m.

The energy required is supplied by a lithium-ion battery the compact dimensions and low weight of which make it suited for a wide range of applications. The high-voltage battery consists of 8 modules comprising 12 cells each and provides a capacity of up to 44 kWh.

With a combination of two high-voltage batteries, pre-series prototypes of the Karsan Jest electric achieve a capacity of 88 kWh and therefore a range of 210 kilometers. When used on scheduled services, this means the city bus can run for 18 hours on end without an interim stop to refresh its energy supplies.

The compact size of the electric motor and high-voltage battery are also advantageous in terms of interior space. Measuring some six meters in length, the Karsan Jest electric offers room for up to 26 passengers—four more than the previous conventionally powered version of the model. The city bus is fitted with low-floor technology which gives passengers with pushchairs and wheelchairs convenient access.

This collaboration once again reflects the aim of BMW i to provide stimuli in promoting urban mobility geared towards sustainability. The BMW i electric motors and high-voltage batteries used in the Karsan Jest electric enable public transportation network operators to provide their passengers with comfortable and locally emissions-free travel on inner-city roads.

Public transportation is the latest of a whole range of spheres of activity in which BMW i technology enables enhanced sustainability. Since last year, for example, BMW i has supplied energy storage technology for locally emissions-free mobility to Streetscooter GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of Deutsche Post. The BMW i battery modules enable the street scooter to be used all day for delivering letters and packages without the need for interim charging.

The high-voltage batteries developed for the BMW i3 also supply energy for sustainable mobility on the water, a project which likewise started in 2017. Torqeedo uses the batteries as the energy source for its motors. In addition BMW i high-voltage batteries are deployed as stationary energy storage units for power generated from renewable energy sources, namely wind and solar plants.

Other business areas associated with BMW i are DriveNow (car sharing), ReachNow (car sharing 2.0), ChargeNow (simple access to the world’s largest network of charging stations), ParkNow (simple location, reservation and payment of parking spaces), BMW i Ventures (investment in young companies focusing on urban mobility), BMW Energy (energy services) and the Competence Center for Urban Mobility (consultation service for municipal authorities).