Airbus, Safran to market eTaxi

An electric taxiing solution called "eTaxi" has received "authorization to market" approval by Airbus and Safran, for the A320 series of jetliners. Depending on the airline feedback, the actual program could subsequently be launched in the near future. eTaxi’s electric motors in the main landing gear, powered by electricity from the APU (auxiliary power unit), would allow an aircraft fitted with it to taxi without using its jet engines or requiring airport tractors or tugs. eTaxi would provide airlines with a sustainable solution which combines savings on operating costs (including a reduction of around four percent in fuel costs, equal to several hundred thousand dollars per aircraft annually), independent movement on the ground (saving around two minutes of time on pushback), as well as ecological advantages such reduced carbon and NOx emissions, and less noise during taxiing. (Source: Airbus, 06/21/17) Gulf Coast note: Airbus has an A320 series assembly line in Mobile, Ala. Safran also has an operation in Mobile. Previous