Toulon Hyères Airport has deployed World Fuel’s all-electric refuelling trucks converted from existing diesel-powered refuellers.

These redesigned all-electric vehicles are distributing Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made available for the first time to business and commercial operators at Toulon Hyères.

“World Fuel’s mission is to enable customers and partners in the aviation sector to adopt sustainable practices and decarbonise their operations. We commend Toulon Hyères airport for their leadership by setting a great example for others to follow,” said Duncan Storey, vice president, supply aviation Europe, World Fuel Services.

“Our shared vision of a sustainable future has propelled us to expand our traditional services beyond renewables such as SAF, solar, and electricity into developing sustainable equipment for airport operations through electrifying traditionally carbon-intensive refuelling vehicles.”

Carbon emissions

In developing the decarbonisation plan for Toulon Hyères airport, World Fuel has 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 refueling.

Easier maintenance

Toulon Hyères will also benefit from easier maintenance due to the all-electric drive train and fast retrofit operation to reduce downtime. Furthering their commitment to decarbonising operations, World Kinect Energy Services, World Fuel’s sustainability division, has also installed solar panels on top of Toulon Hyères’ fueling 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 at Toulon Hyères Airport is the crossing of an important milestone that will allow them to operate in ever more environmentally friendly conditions.”
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