Population growth and energy intensity go hand-in-hand, and have increasingly driven fossil fuel dependency in Turkey over the last decade. Turkey’s energy sector accounts for around 72% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the country, with transportation carrying a substantial 21% of the total emissions in 2019.

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (AMM) took on a challenge to transform 2005 model diesel buses at end-of-life into 100% electric buses. AMM, which is a member of the ICLEI Network, executed this task in partnership with its subsidiary company, BELKA A.Ş. The project’s goal is to fast-track the circular transition through conversion of public transportation systems from fossil fuels to electricity. The good news is that within five months of starting the project, the trial of the first converted EV has been successfully completed and mass production has commenced for the rest of the 22 buses, which will be delivered at the end of 2022. The ultimate aim is to provide zero carbon emissions, and silent and comfortable public transportation services.

Several benefits resulted from the project. It introduced an eco-friendly, clean energy transportation service for the masses, mitigated carbon emissions (400 kilometre range with 4 hour charging), resulted in 25% less energy consumption, cost three times less than new EV buses and is also a patented innovation. What's more, the project was also selected as a finalist in the UK Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA) Program, which is a crucial component of the UK’s effort to tackle climate change. The CFA program was beneficial from a business and policy standpoint. From a business perspective, the CFA program helps provide capacity building support in blending public and private finance, developing innovative business models, as well as building knowledge on incorporating gender, equality and social inclusion aspects—all of which are consistent with achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda 2030. From a policy perspective, the project was an effort to help Turkey meet its own commitments to the COP26 in Glasgow of keeping global warming within a 1.5 degree increase. The CFA support will also pave the way for more collaboration between low-carbon projects and financiers, thereby creating a conducive environment for accessing finance for sustainable projects.

Photo by Çağlar Oskay on Unsplash.