Electric aircraft will soon be flying in our skies, and this exciting reality is taking shape with the reveal of INTEGRAL E – a full-electric two-seater aircraft developed by AURA AERO that will perform its first flight this year.
Commercial aviation will also soon be using electric propulsion aircraft, starting in 2028 with ERA – the 19-seater hybrid-electric aircraft whose cabin and cockpit are presented for the first time by AURA AERO during Paris Air Show.
To address the needs of regional air mobility and electric general aviation, AURA AERO – a leading aircraft manufacturer in hybrid and electric aircraft – has signed today with EDF (Electricité de France) – a French multinational electric utility company – a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on future electric aviation and notably on the electric charging of aircraft.
This partnership aims to associate the pioneering experience of AURA AERO in the development of electric aircraft and the expertise of EDF, in order to define the charging infrastructures and means that will be required given the operational needs and rotation scenarios of electric and hybrid aircraft at airports.
In the frame of this agreement, with different operational scenarios depending on aircraft size and operation type, AURA AERO and EDF will carry out a technical study to evaluate charging needs and frame an evolutive strategy over time, covering the different types of airports and airfields in Europe. Both parties are convinced that this project will interest other players with whom they could collaborate in the future, such as airport operators, territorial collectivities, airlines or professional associations.
Another innovation presented at the show is a charging station prefiguring the superchargers of tomorrow intended for INTEGRAL E. These charging infrastructures will eventually be available in every airport and their deployment is already being prepared. IZIVIA, an EDF Group subsidiary, will mobilize its skills for the provision of these stations, essential for the development of electric aviation.
Christelle VIVES, General Manager of IZIVIA, explains: “With 25 years of experience in charging and a fast charge network of over 1,000 charging stations for road transport which is constantly growing, IZIVIA is proud to be able to provide charging stations tomorrow for an ever more C02 neutral air transport.”
EDF Group is convinced that electric mobility can apply to all types of transport and is committed to supporting the aviation sector in its transition towards a greener and more sustainable aviation, by supplying a 96% CO2 free electricity mix in France.
Jérémy CAUSSADE, CEO and co-founder of AURA AERO, said: “We are very happy to partner with EDF, a key player in the field of electricity in France, in order to implement charging solutions for electric aircraft. Together, we are taking another great step towards the decarbonization of regional aviation, and it’s moving on fast!”.
Marc BENAYOUN, Executive Director in charge of Customers, Services and Territories at Groupe EDF, adds:“Decarbonizing transport is an important challenge for EDF, either for road or air transport: the deployment of Sustainable Aviation Fuels including e-kerosene, the solutions to power the first electric aircraft, the deployment of charging stations to charge the means of connection used on tarmacs or the solutions to optimize the charging of electric vehicles on carparks are all ideas for fostering the emergence of an air future that will emit less CO2”.
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AURA AERO media contacts:
- At the show: Jacques Rocca – Communication and Institutional Affairs Advisor Contact: +33 (0)6 07 91 03 29 – jacques.rocca.external@aura-aero.com
- By phone: Caroline Brown – Press Officer / CB Relations Presse Contact: + 33 (0)6 22 08 86 23 – caroline.brown.rp@gmail.com
