Posted on 03/07/2025 11:02:04 AM PST by Red Badger
Photo Credit: Ascendance
Electric vehicles have seen remarkable growth over the past decade and are now commonplace on many streets. Two companies, Capgemini and Ascendance, are hoping to build upon that evolution by taking it to the skies.
The companies recently announced that they're extending a partnership designed to kick-start sustainable air travel — with a test flight set for this year.
Air travel is a major culprit when it comes to climate change. One study found that commercial airplanes accounted for nearly 2.5% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and another estimated that the industry is responsible for about 5% of global warming.
In many cases, flying is more damaging to the environment than a similar trip made by car. This is particularly true for private flights, as the emissions from one four-hour trip in a private jet can equal those emitted by the average European citizen in a year.
That's why Capgemini and Ascendance are laser-focused on making air travel more sustainable.
"Together, we will contribute to making sustainable aviation more accessible, leveraging innovations that will reduce the carbon footprint of the aviation sector while offering new possibilities for the mobility of tomorrow," Ascendance co-founder and CEO Jean-Christophe Lambert said.
Two of Ascendance's products are key to this endeavor. First is STERNA, a system that allows multiple energy sources to be used simultaneously, much like in a hybrid vehicle. Next is ATEA, an aircraft that uses the STERNA system.
ATEA uses vertical takeoff and landing technology, making it a possible alternative to helicopters. Ascendance hopes to have a test flight for the ATEA aircraft later in 2025 and aims for it to be commercially certified in 2028.
The company claims that ATEA can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional aircraft and that STERNA could cause a 25% reduction when added to existing aircraft. Ascendance said its goal is to help "aviation to reach carbon neutrality by 2050."
Capgemini, meanwhile, works with many companies to help provide technology, strategy, and engineering solutions. As EV Magazine noted, the partnership is similar to how some well-known automakers have helped EV startups ramp up their production and operations.
Electric Airplane Ping!.....................
The stewardess is gonna point out the fuse box!!!
Yeah, I want no part of that!
there goes the grid,....
It’s all fun and games until your flight controller chip goes out.
These futuristic aircraft are far too dynamically sensitive for a human to ‘take the stick’ in case of emergency.
Horizon Aircraft is another big player in this field. HOVR
Global warming alarmist hype.
I'd rather take one of these:
A-10 would be my choice
> there goes the grid,....<
Not if they make them wind powered.
EC
but does it fold up into a briefcase?
You will when it falls out of the sky from a dead or shorted battery!..................
If I could have my choice for air craft.
SR-71
Better for light touch-ups to the traffic on the roads.
Now arriving at gate 12 ... gate 11 ... gate 10 ...
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