Self-service terminals are to be set up in the Ile De France region to enable recharging of electric aircraft within an hour.
TotalEnergies, Groupe ADP and the Fédération Française Aéronautique (FFA) have made a commitment to installing charging stations for electric aircraft at three airfields in Toussus-le-Noble, Etampes and Pontoise to support the decarbonization of the aviation industry, the electrification of light aviation, and reduce noise pollution. Installation is due to take place in spring.
Edward Arkwright, Deputy CEO of Groupe ADP, said: “This initiative is fully in line with Groupe ADP’s desire to make Ile de France airfields the laboratories of the future sustainable aviation, while already providing concrete support for the electrification of light aircraft fleets, thanks to the deployment of new electric terminals, and of all ground operations. At all our airports, we are supporting the integration of clean energies to decarbonize aviation, including electrification, sustainable fuels and, in the future, hydrogen.”
Jean-Luc Charron, President of the FFA, commented: “The FFA has already taken numerous actions to promote the development of electric aviation in France, through its Fab Lab located at Toussus le Noble airfield, by proposing concrete solutions to enable the operation of electric aircraft, particularly from Pipistrel, the only manufacturer in the world with a certified aircraft at the time of signing this agreement. The installation of these dedicated charging stations will allow the first navigations necessary to obtain the PPL and thus to go beyond the perimeter of the local flight.”
According to TotalEnergies, the aim is to facilitate and accelerate the deployment of electric aviation in France, initially by adapting airport infrastructures.
Thierry Pflimlin, Executive Vice President Marketing & Services of TotalEnergies, added: “As a multi-energy company, our role is to provide our customers with solutions to help them meet their energy transition challenges. These first electric charging stations in France are a first step before a larger-scale deployment in France and Europe. The development of low-carbon electricity supply for electric aviation, which is an important factor in the decarbonization of this mode of transport, is in line with TotalEnergies’ ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, together with society.”
