Karsan’s e-ATA 12 Hydrogen bus recently completed a series of challenges in extreme weather conditions to demonstrate the comprehensive capabilities of fuel cells in public transit vehicles. The Turkish manufacturer’s fuel cell bus is powered by Ballard’s FCmove^®-HD 70kW engine.

Offering heightened performance when compared with legacy fuels like diesel, the e-ATA 12 defies diverse road conditions across a wide variety of terrains, with a decarbonized drivetrain that provides higher efficiency, durability and speed than alternatively powered models.

It is these kinds of challenging environments that the e-ATA 12 has tackled and overcome, illustrating its suitability in service across geographies and climates for global operators. Staged in Bursa, Türkiye in March 2024, at an altitude of 1,865m (6,120ft) and a gradient up to 23%, the e-ATA 12 delivered flawless operation in snowy and icy conditions and temperatures that reached -16°C – showcasing durability and reliability that presents hydrogen power as a viable and sustainable power source for heavy-duty mobility.

Karsan’s 12-meter fuel cell bus was first unveiled at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2022 in Hannover, Germany and utilizes Ballard’s FCmove^®-HD module which provides robust components, system integration flexibility, and freeze-start capability from -25°C with no need to plug in the vehicle or use special start procedures. 

The e-ATA 12 has an overall range of 500km and can carry nearly 100 passengers on a wide variety of public service routes. The hydrogen-powered bus can refill in seven minutes and can operate a full day’s shift without the need to refuel.

With units soon to be in operation on routes in Europe this year, Karsan’s e-ATA 12 Hydrogen is perfectly positioned to contribute to the advancement of hydrogen-led zero-emission mobility which continues to gather pace across the continent and on a global level.