A French airport recently deployed World Fuel Service’s all-electric refueling trucks, which are converted from existing diesel-powered refuelers. The redesigned vehicles are distributing Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made available for the first time to business and commercial operators at the Toulon Hyères Airport in Hyères, France.
“World Fuel’s mission is to enable customers and partners in the aviation sector to adopt sustainable practices and decarbonize their operations,” Duncan Storey, World Fuel vice president of supply aviation in Europe, said in a news release. “We commend Toulon Hyères airport for their leadership by setting a great example for others to follow.
“Our shared vision of a sustainable future has propelled us to expand our traditional services beyond renewables such as SAF, solar, and electricity into developing sustainable equipment for airport operations through electrifying traditionally carbon-intensive refueling vehicles.”
In developing the decarbonization plan for Toulon Hyères airport, World Fuel sought to lower the carbon intensity of the airport’s fueling operations in a comprehensive and holistic manner, the company said. This meant pioneering the concept of electrifying diesel-powered refuelers to avoid disposing of the existing trucks, instead of simply procuring new vehicles. The newly electrified trucks boast electric drivetrains and integrated pumping capabilities.
Toulon Hyères also will benefit from easier maintenance due to the all-electric drivetrain and fast retrofit operation, reducing downtime. Furthering their commitment to decarbonizing operations, World Kinect Energy Services, World Fuel’s sustainability division, also installed solar panels on top of the airport’s fueling office.
“The addition of this new SAF offering and electrification of our refueling operations in collaboration with World Fuel demonstrates VINCI Airports’ commitment to decarbonizing air transport and sustainable mobility,” said Basma Jarbouai, Toulon Hyères Airport director. “The availability of biofuels for all our customers at Toulon Hyères Airport is the crossing of an important milestone that will allow them to operate in ever more environmentally friendly conditions.”