BMW has agreed to supply i3 motors and batteries to Turkish manufacturer Karsan for a battery-electric city bus called the Jest Electric, which is produced in Bursa, Turkey.

The synchronous motor that will be used to power the Karsan Jest Electric generates peak output of 125 kW (170 hp) and maximum torque of 250 N·m. The battery consists of 8 modules with 12 cells each, and has a capacity of up to 44 kWh. Both were developed by the BMW Group, and are produced at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany.

With a combination of two BMW batteries, pre-series prototypes of the Karsan Jest Electric have a capacity of 88 kWh and a range of 210 km. When used on scheduled service, the city bus can run for 18 hours without stopping to charge.

Karsan found that the compact size of BMW’s motor and battery are advantageous in terms of interior space. The six-meter Jest electric offers room for up to 26 passengers, four more than the legacy gas-powered version.

Source: KARSAN via Green Car Congress