EASA certifies Safran’s 125-kilowatt electric motor
Anthony Guerra / Safran
EASA has certified the ENGINeUS 100 motor developed by Safran Electrical & Power after a four-year certification process.
The result of four years’ work with the European regulator, the motor obtained certification after a campaign involving 1,500 hours of motor certification tests and more than 100 flight hours. The process also defined the the specific airworthiness rules for electric propulsion and design the right methods to properly assess it.
Bruno Bellanger, CEO of Safran Electrical & Power said: “We have just witnessed a key moment in the history of aviation. By obtaining certification for the ENGINeUS 100 electric motor, Safran Electrical & Power has achieved a world first. For Safran Electrical & Power and its institutional partners, this event represents an immense source of pride.”
Safran is now gearing up to begin mass producing the 125-kilowatt electric motor for applications including VoltAero’s Cassio range of hybrid-electric aircraft. The company is building four semi-automated production lines in 2026 in Niort, France, and Pitstone, UK, enabling initial production of more than 1,000 electric motors per year.
The ENGINeUS electric motor can be integrated into multiple architectures. This means it can provide power 100% electric propulsion for small two to four passengers aircraft, distributed hybrid-electric propulsion for 19-passenger regional aircraft, and potentially future generations of commercial aircraft engines capable of carrying 150 passengers.
As well as VoltAero, a number of other OEMs have opted for Safran’s electric motor, including: Aura Aero, Bye Aerospace, CAE, Diamond Aircraft, Electra and TCab Tech.
“This was a fascinating project for EASA, and the first test of our Special Condition designed for the certification of hybrid and all-electric propulsion,” said Rachel Daeschler, EASA Certification Director. “EASA is fully committed to support the development and certification of propulsion technologies aimed at decarbonising aviation. We congratulate Safran for this key achievement, which is paving the way for electrification of aviation, for small airplanes and beyond.”
