Six firms to race for first local electric car

ANKARA

Six finalists for a state-run project to build Turkey’s first electric car have been named.

Turkish automaker companies Karsan, Hema, Isuzu, Derindere, Hisarlar and Malkoçlar made it to the finals for the project that will receive a 100-million Turkish Liras award from the government.

Turkish state institutions are set to provide full support to local electric car production, as Turkey’s science agency will provide 100 percent of research funding, while the Science Ministry is promising to buy 200 electric cars over five years.

The winner of the project is expected to be announced within the month, but sector sources say the government may urge the companies to create a joint project instead of picking a single project.