TOTAL AND GAUSSIN DEVELOPING WORLD'S 1ST FULL ELECTRIC AIRCRAFT REFUELLER TRANSPORTER OR ART®

Gaussin, a world leading engineering company, and Total are jointly developing the world's first full electric ART® (Aircraft Refueller Transporter).

Planned for the Airbus industrial site in Toulouse, this prototype will be capable of towing two fuel tankers, with a fuel capacity of 30 tons each.

“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.” A joint statement read.

The partnership between Gaussin and Total is drawing on the 40 years of know-how of Saft (a subsidiary of Total) in designing and producing batteries for electric & 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.

ART® delivery is set for the end of 2020.