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From August 24–28, 2025, Atlanta, Georgia became the global hub for mobility at the ITS World Congress. This international gathering brought together transportation leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore how intelligent transportation systems are shaping safer, more sustainable, and more efficient mobility. Organized by ITS America, the event carried the theme “Deploying Today, Empowering Tomorrow,” highlighting real-world deployments that are transforming mobility today and laying the groundwork for tomorrow.
At this year’s Congress, Damera Corporation introduced the Karsan eJEST — North America’s first purpose-built, low-floor electric minibus. Compact yet highly capable, the eJEST demonstrates how right-sized vehicles can deliver modern, zero-emission transit for city centers, suburbs, and campus applications.
Our booth was honored by the visit of Lee White, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. DOT – Research and Technology, who acknowledged the importance of right-sized electric transit and expressed particular interest in our partnership with ADASTEC Corporation. Together, we are working to integrate autonomous mobility solutions — including automated driving, connected fleet tools, and advanced charging systems — into the eJEST platform.
Industry voices like Lee White’s reinforce what we are demonstrating: that the eJEST is more than a bus — it is a platform for the future of public mobility, able to combine zero-emission operation with accessibility, connectivity, and autonomy.
Looking ahead, Damera’s new Illinois facility, now in development, will establish the first U.S. assembly plant for right-sized, fully electric minibuses. This production line will be Buy America compliant and enable the scaled delivery of the eJEST to communities across the United States.
👉 Read the article about Damera's Manufacturing Facilities in Illinois
👉 Read the official press release on Governor JB Pritzker’s website.
The eJEST sets a new benchmark for compact public transit vehicles in North America. With seating for 12 passengers plus one wheelchair space, it combines maneuverability with accessibility, making it ideal for dense downtowns, suburban neighborhoods, and campus routes.
Unlike cutaway vehicles — commercial vans retrofitted for transit use — the eJEST is designed from the ground up as a true transit bus. This difference matters: cutaways often require steps and mechanical lifts, which complicate boarding and diminish comfort for passengers who need accessibility. By contrast, the eJEST offers a low-floor design, wide doors, integrated ramp, and bright, spacious cabin that ensures every rider boards and travels with ease and dignity.
Passengers benefit from panoramic windows, forward-facing seating, and a sleek, modern exterior, transforming the perception of small transit vehicles from “make-do” solutions into reliable, attractive, and comfortable transit. For agencies, these design advantages translate into higher rider satisfaction and stronger adoption of public transit.
The eJEST is fully battery-electric and zero-emission, making it a practical solution for municipalities pursuing climate action targets. Beyond reducing greenhouse gases, the quiet electric drivetrain cuts noise pollution — improving the quality of life in neighborhoods, campuses, and downtowns.
Engineered for a 12+ year lifecycle, the eJEST delivers long-term value. Its right-sized footprint means lower purchase costs compared to full-size buses, while electric drivetrains reduce fuel and maintenance expenses. This allows agencies to serve more areas, more frequently, without stretching budgets.
The autonomous version of the eJEST is quickly moving from concept to reality. The first vehicle is set to arrive at our partner’s Florida facility in September for testing, with a public demonstration in development.
This trial phase will showcase the bus’s ability to navigate public streets safely and efficiently, with a trained supervisor on board to ensure safety. By proving that compact, zero-emission minibuses can integrate autonomy, the eJEST is establishing itself as the ideal testbed and deployment platform for smart mobility technologies.
Already, three U.S. customers have committed to one-year eJEST trial programs, reflecting a shift in the industry: agencies are no longer asking if autonomy will come to transit, but how soon they can be ready.
Clients consistently report that the eJEST can complete a full day of service on a single charge, even under demanding conditions.
This ensures agencies can rely on the eJEST for full-day operations, lower operating costs, and dependable service delivery.
Every eJEST comes equipped with ZF Bus Connect telematics, providing operators with live data on vehicle location and health.
By combining diagnostic data (DM1), ZF Health Check, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS), and brake system insights, operators get a complete overview of fleet performance in real time.
Key benefits for agencies:
✔ Real-time visibility into vehicle health and location
✔ Predictive maintenance that reduces downtime
✔ Seamless integration with third-party fleet systems
✔ Lower operational costs and improved reliability
Agencies that have tested the eJEST consistently praise its smooth driving performance, tight turning radius, and strong hill-climbing ability — advantages that stand out against cutaway alternatives. Riders appreciate the quiet, comfortable ride, while operators value the efficiency and reliability.
The verdict: the eJEST feels like a true transit bus — stable, modern, and built for passengers — not a van adapted to fit the role.
Deploying zero-emission transit is more than purchasing vehicles. Damera partners with agencies at every step:
✔ Funding Guidance – Support with private, local, or grant-based funding opportunities
✔ Fleet Evaluation – Using ridership and route data to determine vehicle needs
✔ Operational Fit – Ensuring the bus matches community routes and service profiles
✔ Charging Infrastructure – Planning and installation tailored to agency requirements
✔ Technology Integration – Connecting vehicles with smart routing and mobility platforms
By combining vehicles, infrastructure, and expertise, Damera delivers a complete solution for agencies moving toward sustainable mobility.
At Damera, our mission goes beyond introducing new vehicles. We are working to create cleaner, smarter, and more connected mobility systems across North America. With the Karsan eJEST, our partnership with Adastec, and a growing U.S. manufacturing presence, we’re helping agencies prepare for the next era of transit.
📩 Contact us at sales@dameracorp.com to learn how the eJEST can become part of your community’s mobility strategy.
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