A Milestone for Urban Mobility
The landscape of public transportation in Istanbul is set for a significant transformation. Akia Automotive, a homegrown Turkish manufacturer, has officially secured a landmark contract to supply 50 battery-electric buses to the IETT General Directorate, the entity responsible for the city’s vast transport network. This deal is being heralded as the first major tender of its kind in Turkey, signaling a decisive shift toward electrification for one of the world's most bustling metropolises.
Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the fleet will be manufactured at Akia’s specialized production facility in Bursa. This initiative represents more than just a procurement order; it is a strategic step in modernizing the nation’s infrastructure and reducing the carbon footprint of urban transit in a city defined by its dense traffic and historic geography.
The Ultra LF12EV: Power and Precision
At the heart of this deployment is the Akia Ultra LF12EV, a low-floor city bus designed to balance high passenger capacity with zero-emission efficiency. Each vehicle is powered by a robust 240-kW electric motor paired with a substantial 465 kWh battery pack, ensuring the reliability needed for heavy-duty urban routes. The model is capable of accommodating up to 80 passengers, making it a workhorse for busy transit corridors.
Beyond the powertrain, the Ultra LF12EV integrates several high-tech features to enhance the operational experience for both drivers and passengers. The interior is fully accessible, featuring a dedicated wheelchair ramp to support passengers with limited mobility. For the operator, the bus replaces traditional, drag-inducing exterior mirrors with a sophisticated digital camera system, providing a clearer, wider field of view. Additionally, the integration of advanced telematics allows fleet managers to monitor battery health, real-time energy consumption, and overall system performance, enabling data-driven maintenance and optimized scheduling.
Why It Matters
- Strategic Shift: This tender marks the first large-scale adoption of pure electric buses in Turkey, setting a precedent for other municipalities to follow.
- Technological Maturity: By opting for the Ultra LF12EV, Istanbul is leveraging a proven, exported platform that has already seen success in markets like Serbia.
- Sustainability Impact: Replacing diesel combustion engines with battery-electric propulsion in a city as large as Istanbul will lead to immediate improvements in air quality and noise pollution.
- Local Economic Growth: By sourcing these vehicles from a local manufacturer in Bursa, the project bolsters the domestic automotive industry and reinforces the supply chain for future EV infrastructure.
As Akia Automotive prepares to scale its production for the 2027 rollout, the eyes of the European transport sector will be on Istanbul. If successful, this deployment could prove to be the blueprint for rapid, large-scale bus electrification across the region, balancing the demands of high-capacity public service with the urgent need for sustainable, eco-friendly mobility.
