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Karsan, a Turkish commercial vehicle manufacturer, made a significant stride in autonomous mobility by becoming the first company to receive approval from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) for a Level-4 autonomous public transport vehicle.
The approved vehicle, the Level-4 Autonomous e-ATAK, was developed in partnership with Turkish software firm ADASTEC, and it is set to operate on public roads in Hannover, Germany, under the Albus Project.
This marks the first time a self-driving bus will serve the public in Germany under full regulatory compliance, showcasing the strength of Turkish engineering in meeting Europe’s most demanding safety and operational standards.
Level-4 autonomy indicates that the vehicle can perform all driving tasks without human intervention within predefined environments or conditions.
Commenting on the achievement, Karsan CEO Okan Bas emphasized the company’s ambition to shape, rather than merely adapt to, the evolution of autonomous public transport. “Entering the German market—where regulations are among the strictest—proves not only our technical competence but also our visionary stance,” Bas said. He added that this step strengthens Karsan’s position in leading Europe’s transition toward smarter mobility.
According to Bas, the partnership with ADASTEC highlights how Türkiye's software and engineering sectors are earning recognition even in the continent’s most advanced markets. The deployment of the e-ATAK in Germany is seen as a symbol of Karsan’s determination to contribute to Europe’s ongoing mobility transformation.
Designed for urban environments, the e-ATAK integrates a suite of advanced sensors to ensure safe and accurate navigation under various conditions. These include LiDAR, radar, RGB cameras, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and other state-of-the-art detection tools that work together to deliver real-time situational awareness.
The 8.3-meter-long electric bus is powered by a 220-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack developed by BMW. Its charging capability supports both AC and DC units, allowing full charging within five hours on AC systems and as little as three hours with DC connections. This quick turnaround time makes the e-ATAK a practical solution for high-frequency urban transit needs.
By blending autonomous driving capabilities with sustainable energy technology, the e-ATAK aims to provide a high-capacity, low-emission alternative for cities across Europe seeking to modernize their public transport infrastructure.
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