VoltAero completes world’s first electric-hybrid aircraft flight with 100% SAF
VoltAero has completed the world’s first flight of a electric-hybrid aircraft using 100% sustainable fuel provided by TotalEnergies.
The flight was performed using VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed…
VoltAero has completed the world’s first flight of a electric-hybrid aircraft using 100% sustainable fuel provided by TotalEnergies.
The flight was performed using VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed airplane and utilised its hybrid powertrain’s electric mode and its internal combustion engine, fueled by Excellium Racing 100 which is made from bioethanol produced from waste that originates in French vineyards.
“Based on initial results, we calculated a truly impressive CO2 reduction of approximately 80%,” said Jean Botti, VoltAero’s CEO and chief technology officer. “It underscores the opportunity for production Cassio aircraft to represent a major step closer to aviation’s decarbonization goals by replacing standard Avgas 100 high-octane fuel for aviation piston engines.”
Excellium Racing 100 fuel has been used since 2022 in some automobile competitions, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance sports car race. It is made from winemaking waste and allows a reduction in CO2 emissions of at least 65% over its entire life cycle when compared with the fossil fuel equivalent.
“This demonstration flight is part of our commitment to support players in the aviation sector for their decarbonization objectives,” explained Joël Navaron, president of TotalEnergies Aviation. “More broadly, it demonstrates our desire to continue our research and development efforts to offer an alternative to aviation gasoline containing lead, thereby meeting the challenges of general aviation’s decarbonization. We already have initiated several actions – such as the installation of several electric charging stations for general aviation aircraft, and the launch of a pilot program aimed at offering SP98-type fuel for compatible aircraft.”
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