World’s First Fully Electric Deicer Delivered to Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne

Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne is happy to announce the delivery of its first Vestergaard deicer – the Elephant e-Mini MY Lite.

The Elephant e-Mini MY Lite at Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne is the first fully electrical deicer delivered globally, marking a significant step in ground handling sustainability and fitting perfectly in Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne’s sustainable strategy of reducing carbon emissions, as part of VINCI Airports, to reach net zero emissions by 2050. A new step has thus been taken by the airport, with the financial support of SMACFA (Syndicat Mixte Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne), in the electrification of airport ground handling vehicles, alongside other actions already deployed such as the replacement of all of the lighting system with LEDs or the introduction of temperature instructions to reduce the energy consumption of buildings.

The e-Mini MY Lite is built on the “Vestergaard e” electrical chassis and the fluid is heated electrically as well. The deicer services aircraft up to B757 with a tank capacity of 4,000 liters.

The e-Mini MY Lite at Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand has a 40-kwh battery (a 62-kwh battery is also a possibility) and can handle 8-12 deicings depending on the rate of contamination/fluid needs and can drive 40-75 km on a single charge. The unit comes with on-board charger for the chassis and plugin for the heater.

Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport is the gateway to the Auvergne region and its many tourist attractions. Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne Airport has been managed by the VINCI Airports group since 2008. This delegated management contract is part of the process of decentralizing the management of French regional airports. It includes the operation, maintenance and upkeep of the airport platform: terminal building, runways and equipment as well as commercial facilities.

Vestergaard Company has a high strategic focus on sustainability within ground handling continuously developing the Vestergaard units to accommodate the journey toward more sustainable airport operations. Vestergaard Company has a goal of offering a full product line for performing CO2 neutral ground handling operations by 2030. The fully electrical e-Mini MY Lite marks yet another step of the journey for reducing environmental footprint by significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Damien Le Gac, country manager Vestergaard Company France, says: “Vestergaard Company is proud to supply its first 100 percent electrical deicer, the e-Mini MY Lite,  to the Airport of Clermont Ferrand Auvergne and Vinci Airports. We hope the new unit will be a big success for this – for us – new customer, and we are happy to be able to contribute to the ambition of Vinci Airports to reaching zero emissions by 2050.”

Hervé Bonin, managing director of Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne – VINCI Airports says: “This is not the first time that Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne has entered the aviation history books. As early as 1916, Michelin built the world's first concrete-paved runway on the current site of the airport for the needs of the Bréguet aircraft built for the French army. In 2021, the airport was the first in France to supply sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). We are proud to be able to offer and implement, in Clermont-Ferrand, immediate and effective responses to aviation decarbonization challenges, led by VINCI Airports.”

Emmanuel Bouhier, director of the SMACFA says: “The Syndicat Mixte and, through it, the local authorities, carry out the airport's investments. The investments ensure a future for this public infrastructure necessary for the territory for its economic, cultural and social attractiveness. The future of air transport today depends on the decarbonization of activities in flight but also on the ground. In all important transitions, pioneers are needed. The Syndicat Mixte is proud to fulfill this function of general interest by hosting today at of Aéroport Clermont-Ferrand Auvergne the first electric deicer in the world.”