Turkey’s first locally made driverless electric bus was tested Monday with the attendance of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Speaking during the event, Erdoğan said autonomous bus producers will promote Turkey and Turkish brands globally.
Mustafa Varank, the Turkish industry and technology minister, was also present at the event.
Karsan Atak Electric has a range of 300 kilometers (186.4 miles) between charges thanks to its BMW 220-kWh Li-Ion batteries, according to its manufacturing company.
“Atak Electric can charge its battery in five hours by AC (alternating current) or in three hours by DC (direct current),” the firm statement added.
Erdoğan also emphasized that the vehicle was part of the “initial steps for clean energy” because “the world is moving toward clean energy, and this is happening at a time when climate change is on the agenda.”
The 8.3-meter (27.2-foot) Karsan bus has a capacity of more than 50 passengers.
The firm has already started the mass production of the bus.
