Driven by its vision of being “One Step Ahead in the Future of Mobility,” global mobility leader Karsan has achieved another major milestone. The world’s first Level 4 serial-production autonomous bus, the Karsan Autonomous e-ATAK, has officially entered service in Sweden.
Now transporting passengers in open traffic, the Autonomous e-ATAK will operate on a 4 km route with seven stops, seamlessly connecting Gothenburg Central Station to Liseberg Station through the city’s Gårda district. This project marks a new chapter in Karsan’s journey of redefining public transportation.
Highlighting the significance of this launch, Karsan CEO Okan Baş stated:
“The project has a highly complex route operating under real traffic conditions in the city center. This is not only a demonstration of Karsan’s engineering capabilities but also a significant contribution to Sweden’s future-oriented mobility ecosystem. Overcoming the challenging operational conditions, including the harsh Scandinavian climate and dynamic city traffic, the Autonomous e-ATAK will offer its passengers a unique experience with comfort, safety, and reliability at its core.”
Delivered to Vy Buss, one of Northern Europe’s leading public transport authorities, the Autonomous e-ATAK will now operate in partnership with Västtrafik, Sweden’s leading public transport operator.
Following the launch ceremony in Gothenburg, the bus successfully completed its maiden trip between Central Station and Liseberg Station, proving its reliability in real traffic conditions. According to Okan Baş, this initiative will continue for one year in Gothenburg, one of Sweden’s most strategically important cities:
“Within this scope, our vehicle will begin a one-year operation in cooperation with Västtrafik in Gothenburg, one of Sweden’s most strategically important cities. This represents another milestone in our company’s journey of redefining public transportation.”
As Karsan’s long-term technology partner, ADASTEC plays a crucial role in the e-ATAK’s global rollout. Commenting on the project, ADASTEC CEO Dr. Ali Peker said:
“The Level-4 public transportation service we provide in different cities and countries around the world together with Karsan proves the maturity and reliability of our technology. The Autonomous e-ATAK deployed in Gothenburg is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and the complexity of urban traffic, offering a safe and seamless journey with ADASTEC’s Level-4 autonomous driving technology. At every new stop, we carry not only people but also sustainable cities and inclusive public transport into the future. Our goal is to transform autonomous public transportation services into a meaningful legacy that meets today’s needs and is passed on to the societies of tomorrow.”
The Autonomous e-ATAK demonstrates not only Karsan’s advanced engineering capabilities but also Sweden’s commitment to future-focused mobility. Withstanding the harsh Nordic climate and complex city traffic, the bus ensures passengers a unique travel experience centered on comfort, safety, and reliability.
Backed by ADASTEC’s cutting-edge automation technology, this groundbreaking project shows how innovation and collaboration can reshape urban mobility. It also strengthens Karsan’s presence in Northern Europe—one of the world’s most advanced transportation markets—while bringing the company closer to its goal of becoming a global leader in sustainable mobility.
Summing up the importance of the collaboration, Okan Baş added:
“This application is not only a demonstration of Karsan’s engineering capabilities but also a significant contribution to Sweden’s future mobility ecosystem. Overcoming the challenging operational conditions, including the harsh Scandinavian climate and dynamic city traffic, the Autonomous e-ATAK will offer its passengers a unique experience with comfort, safety, and reliability at its core. This groundbreaking project is the result of strong cooperation between Karsan and ADASTEC, which provides advanced automation technology for the vehicle. Together, we continue to set new benchmarks in autonomous transportation and show the world how innovation, flexibility, and vision can reshape public mobility. With this project in Sweden, Karsan not only strengthens its position in Northern Europe’s advanced transport market but also takes another step towards achieving its vision of becoming a global leader in sustainable transportation. We would like to thank Västtrafik, Vy Buss, Gothenburg Municipality, and our technology partner ADASTEC for their important roles in making this project possible.”
Equipped with an Advanced Sensor Suite, the Autonomous e-ATAK uses a combination of LiDAR, Radar, RGB cameras, GNSS, and next-generation sensors for precise navigation and situational awareness under all weather conditions.
With its 220 kWh battery pack, the 8.3-meter bus is designed as a sustainable, high-capacity solution for Gothenburg’s urban mobility needs. Charging is fast and efficient—taking just five hours with AC units or three hours with DC units—ensuring the e-ATAK is always ready to operate.
