BIRMINGHAM: Renowned Turkish bus manufacturer Karsan presented its right-hand drive fully electric e-JEST minibus at the Euro Bus Expo in Birmingham, UK on Tuesday. The company is aiming to capture a strong share of the United Kingdom's market, Karsan's Deputy General Manager of Commercial Affairs, Deniz Cetin, told Anadolu. According to Anadolu Agency, Cetin said right-hand drive markets have long been a focus of the company's global expansion strategy. Karsan has already entered the Japanese market with the right-hand drive e-JEST and is now turning its attention to the UK. Cetin emphasized that the UK market has always been a primary goal for the company due to its strategic value as a gateway to other right-hand drive markets, including Ireland, Malta, and Singapore. Cetin noted, "What makes the UK special is that it is a great showcase for all right-hand drive markets. There are many opportunities here. This is a market that competitors have difficulty entering." He added that Karsan plans to achieve a market share of 25%-30% in the UK with the e-JEST, aiming for the number of e-JESTs in the country to exceed 100 units eventually. Karsan plans to deliver 10 e-JEST minibuses to the UK in the initial phase, with the first two expected to arrive in February 2025. The e-JEST, a compact 6-meter electric minibus, offers a range of up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) powered by BMW's 135 kW electric motor and an 88-kWh battery. The vehicle supports fast charging, taking just one hour to fully charge, and features a regenerative braking system that allows it to recharge itself by up to 25%. The minibus design includes a passenger capacity of 17 in the right-hand drive version tailored for the UK market, combining high maneuverability, a dynamic design, and a spacious interior. It also boasts a fully digital dashboard, touchscreen control systems, USB outputs, and optional Wi-Fi infrastructure, enhancing passenger comfort. Advanced safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESP), a hill holder, and a 4-whe el independent suspension system aim to provide the comfort of a passenger car while offering environmentally friendly and cost-efficient transportation solutions. Cetin explained, "We generally create our own demand. This product is a product that users in the market ask, 'Where do I use this product? What need does it meet?' We think that this product can be used in many areas, instead of large buses, during hours when passenger density is low." He mentioned that the vast majority of customers are municipalities, but the e-JEST could also be utilized in hospitals or university campuses. Karsan, headquartered in Trkiye with more than 58 years of experience in automotive manufacturing, produces a wide range of commercial vehicles, including fully electric and autonomous models. The company has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable public transportation solutions, offering an electric product range from 6 to 18 meters. The e-JEST marks another step in Karsan's mission to expand globally, following its success in Europe, North America, and Japan.