Toulouse — Airbus announced it intended to test an electric taxi system for A320 family aircraft.
The system, which would see electrical motors installed in the wheels, would power the narrowbody aircraft to the take off area to significantly reduce the amount of fuel burned during the taxi phase of the flight.
“We are always looking to save as much fuel as possible,” said A320 Family Program Executive Vice President Alain Flourens.
UPDATE: During the initial tests, which are slated to take place before year’s end, the motors will be powered by the auxiliary power unit in the tail of the aircraft. Flourens added that any increase in weight due to the addition of the motors on the aircraft landing gear would be offset by the expected overall fuel savings of the system.
Posted on location at the Airbus Technical Press Briefing
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This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.