World Fuel Services (World Fuel) has converted diesel-powered refuelling trucks to electric at Toulon Hyères Airport in the south of France.
The all-electric refuelling trucks are now delivering Neste MY sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at the Vinci Airports-run facility. This is the first time SAF has been available for business and commercial operators at the airport.
In developing the decarbonisation plan for Toulon Hyères airport, World Fuel sought to lower the carbon intensity of the airport's fuelling operations in a comprehensive and holistic manner. This meant that rather than simply procuring new electric vehicles for the site, the World Fuel team pioneered an innovative concept of reusing diesel-powered refuellers and electrifying them to avoid the waste associated with the disposal of the existing trucks. These fully electric trucks, complete with an electric drive train and integrated pumping capability, serve to effectively eliminate carbon emissions during aircraft refuelling.
Toulon Hyères will also benefit from easier maintenance due to the all-electric drive train and fast retrofit operation, thus reducing downtime. World Kinect Energy Services, World Fuel's sustainability division, has also installed solar panels on top of Toulon Hyères' fuelling office.
“The addition of this new SAF offering and electrification of our refuelling operations in collaboration with World Fuel demonstrates Vinci Airports' commitment to decarbonising air transport and sustainable mobility,” said Basma Jarbouai, director, Toulon Hyères Airport. “The availability of biofuels for all our customers is an important milestone that will allow them to operate in ever more environmentally friendly conditions.”
Image: World Fuel Services
