VoltAero flies electric-hybrid powertrain with 100% SAF

In France, in an aviation industry first, VoltAero has flown the proprietary electric-hybrid powertrain for its Cassio family of aircraft with 100% sustainable fuel provided by TotalEnergies.

Conducted from VoltAero’s development facility at Royan, France, the milestone flight utilized the hybrid powertrain’s electric mode and its internal combustion engine – which was fueled by TotalEnergies’ Excellium Racing 100, made from bioethanol produced from waste that originates in French vineyards.

This milestone demonstration was performed with VoltAero’s Cassio S testbed airplane, operated by the company to validate its electric-hybrid powertrain and the application of sustainable fuels, thereby de-risking airworthiness certification for upcoming production versions of the Cassio aircraft family.

The company associated with TotalEnergies in this achievement, which marks an advancement toward the future use of biofuel in general aviation – and which complements the ongoing introduction of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Excellium Racing 100 fuel has been used since 2022 in certain automobile competitions, including the famous 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.