In France, transport and logistics engineering major Gaussin S.A. and global oil and gas major Total S.A. have announced the joint development of the world's first fully-electric Aircraft Refueller Transporter (ART). Planned for the Airbus industrial site in Toulouse, this prototype will be capable of towing two fuel tankers, with a fuel capacity of 30 tonnes each. Delivery is expected at the end of 2020.
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.
This partnership will be drawing on the 40 years of know-how of Saft Groupe S.A, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Total, in designing and producing batteries for electric and hybrid commercial and industrial vehicles.
Saft will provide 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 aviation refueling business. It also paves the way for the development of a fleet of innovative vehicles, specifically dedicated to aviation.
