Gaussin and Total are jointly developing what they are calling the world’s first fully electric ART FULL ELEC (Aircraft Refueller Transporter).
Planned for the Airbus industrial site in Toulouse, France, this prototype will be capable of towing two fuel tankers, with a fuel capacity of 30 tons (952.6 gallons) each. Delivery is expected at the end of 2020.
This partnership between Gaussin and Total will draw on the 40 years of know-how of Saft (a subsidiary of Total) in designing and producing batteries for electric and hybrid commercial and industrial vehicles. Saft will provide the lithium-ion batteries for this future fleet. The batteries will be entirely developed and manufactured at Saft’s facilities in Nersac and Bordeaux in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France.
This first firm order will enable Gaussin to expand its offering on the electric vehicles market and Total to provide a solution adapted to the refueling business. It also paves the way for the development of a fleet of innovative vehicles, specifically dedicated to aviation.
With this development, Total illustrates its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint on the airport platforms it supplies and operates, alongside its customers and partners. Together with society, Total shares the ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 for all of its activities, from its production to the use of the energy products sold to its customers.
Gaussin is an engineering company that designs, assembles and sells innovative products and services in the transport and logistics field. Its know-how encompasses cargo and passenger transport, autonomous technologies allowing for self-driving solutions such as Automotive Guided Vehicles, and the integration of all types of batteries, particularly electric and hydrogen fuel cells. With more than 50,000 vehicles worldwide, Gaussin enjoys a strong reputation in four fast-expanding markets: port terminals, airports, logistics and people mobility. The group has formed strategic partnerships with major global players in order to accelerate its market penetration: Siemens Logistics in the airport field, Bolloré Ports and ST Engineering in ports, UPS in logistics, and Bluebus for people mobility.
For more information, visit gaussin.com.
Total is a broad energy group that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Total is one of the world’s biggest suppliers of aviation fuel, in France, in Europe and Africa. General aviation, business aviation, airports and airlines: each and every one of those customers receives a personal service offer tailored to its needs. In the world, Total supplies 280 airlines in 300 airports around the world.
Go to aviation.total.com or aviation.total.fr for more information.