Volocopter and Safran Electrical & Power have signed an agreement to collaborate on developing a next generation power train for eVTOL aircraft.

The agreement covers the exploration of commercial and engineering partnerships, specifically around the entire electric powertrain ranging from the electrical propulsion system (EPS), battery units and power distribution system to wider engineering services.

eVTOLs are the next frontier of electric aviation. This emerging industry supplements existing public transportation networks in urban areas with sustainable, battery-powered aircraft offering a safe and quiet mode of transportation. The partners bring together decades of expertise in aircraft development which now is applied to the novel eVTOL and EPS space.

Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, states: “Volocopter is pioneering urban air mobility. With a feasible design and a clear ambition to start operations as soon as next summer in Paris, we would be proud to partner with it for their future development in this highly promising new branch of the aviation industry. Safran has always kept up with the times and pushed innovation to decarbonise aviation.”

Dirk Hoke, CEO of Volocopter, comments: “The prospect of collaborating with Safran, a leader in powertrain development as part of our UAM ecosystem is exciting on several levels. Optimising 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.”