French hybrid aircraft developer, VoltAero, has secured Kawasaki as a new strategic investor, marking a significant milestone in the company’s growth. Additionally, VoltAero has initiated the construction of an assembly plant at Rochefort-Charente-Maritime Airport, where their innovative hybrid aircraft will be manufactured.
While the exact investment amount from Kawasaki has not been disclosed by either company, a statement from VoltAero indicates that Kawasaki Motors is participating in the Series B financing round. The funds raised will be dedicated to the development, production, and certification of VoltAero’s hybrid-electric aircraft family, known as Cassio. In November 2022, VoltAero successfully raised 32 million euros in the Series B round with the support of Italian company Tesi (Tecnologie E Servizi Innovativi), who not only acted as an investor but also as an industrial partner.
It seems that a similar collaboration is being envisioned with the Japanese manufacturer. Jean Botti, CEO and Chief Technology Officer of VoltAero, warmly welcomed Kawasaki’s involvement, expressing that their engine expertise and innovative capacity will bring a new dimension to the finalization of the electric-hybrid powertrain for the Cassio aircraft family. Botti also sees Kawasaki’s strategic investment as a significant vote of confidence for the Cassio program.
Hiroshi Ito, President and CEO of Kawasaki Motors Ltd., expressed deep admiration for VoltAero’s creative design and innovative technology in the aviation industry. Ito stated that Kawasaki looks forward to contributing to VoltAero’s business growth through this investment.
The Series B financing round represents the third phase of funding for VoltAero. With this latest round, the company aims to facilitate the industrialization of its flagship model, the Cassio 330, which is the first aircraft in the Cassio family. VoltAero has plans to develop three versions: the five-seat Cassio 330, the six-seat Cassio 480, and the twelve-seat Cassio 600. The model names reflect the engine power in kilowatts for each respective aircraft.
The provided images showcase that the VoltAero aircraft is not a mere conversion but a completely new development. The Cassio aircraft distinguishes itself with a hybrid propulsion system featuring a pusher propeller situated at the rear of the fuselage. The slender fuselage incorporates fixed auxiliary wings called canards at the front, while a wing set to the rear is supported by twin booms that hold a raised horizontal tailplane.
VoltAero has also commenced the construction of an industrial facility at Rochefort-Charente-Maritime Airport, where the production of their hybrid aircraft will take place. This facility will house three final assembly lines along with a workshop, logistics area, and offices. Completion of the construction is scheduled for June 2024, with the delivery of the first aircraft expected in early 2025. The production site is conveniently located approximately 40 minutes north of VoltAero’s headquarters at the Aérodrome de Royan-Médis.
To add to their recent accomplishments, VoltAero has received a pre-order for 15 of its hybrid aircraft from the Swiss business aviation company Sky2Share. This order, along with existing orders and reservations, brings VoltAero’s total count to 218 units, indicating strong market interest in their innovative hybrid aircraft.
In summary, Kawasaki’s investment as a strategic partner further propels VoltAero’s development of hybrid aircraft. With ongoing construction of the assembly plant and increasing orders, VoltAero is poised to make significant contributions to the aviation industry and the advancement of eco-friendly air transportation.