Safran Electrical & Power is helping Volocopter to devise a powertrain for its planned next-generation eVTOL aircraft. The companies signed a collaboration agreement at this week's Paris Air Show under which they will explore commercial and engineering partnerships, covering an electric propulsion system (EPS), battery units, and a power distribution system.
"The prospect of collaborating with Safran, a leader in powertrain development as part of our UAM ecosystem is exciting on several levels," said Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke. "Optimizing battery density and improving EPS effectiveness is the biggest performance lever for lightweight aircraft like eVTOLs. And, on a personal note, it's a stellar example of French-German industry collaboration to keep European technology innovation competitive on a global level."
Volocopter has not confirmed details for a next-generation successor to its two-seat VoloCity aircraft. In June 2022, it flew a technology demonstrator of a larger, longer-range model, provisionally designating this as the VoloConnect.
eVTOL Takes Off In Saudi Arabia
Electric air taxi developer Volocopter has successfully conducted its first flight trials in Saudi Arabia, the German company announced Wednesday during the Paris Airshow. According to Volocopter, that marked the first time that an eVTOL aircraft received special flight authorization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Volocopter is collaborating with Neom, a government-backed development project in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk province, to introduce urban air mobility services to the region in 2024. The company behind Neom is an investor in Volocopter.
As a so-called “smart city,” Neom runs entirely on renewable energy sources. When Volocopter and Neom announced their joint venture in 2021, Neom officials placed a provisional order for 15 Volocopter eVTOL aircraft, including 10 of the two-seat VoloCity model and five of Volocopter’s fully autonomous VoloDrone cargo-carrying model.
“The successful test flight of a Volocopter eVTOL is not just another milestone on the journey towards the creation of Neom’s innovative, sustainable, multimodal transportation system—it is a tangible example of Neom as a global accelerator and incubator of solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Neom CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr. “Driving the development of smart, sustainable, and safe mobility systems will improve livability and connectivity in cities around the world and reduce carbon emissions, creating a cleaner future for all.”
Volocopter also has been conducting flight demonstrations at the Paris Airshow this week with its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft. The company aims to secure EASA type certification for the aircraft and begin operations by 2024, just in time for the Olympic Games in Paris.
