Safran awarded Innovation Fund grant for ENGINeUS PULL project

Safran Electrical & Power has signed a grant agreement with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under the Innovation Fund, for the ENGINeUS PULL project. This initiative aims to implement automation to enable high-rate production of the ENGINeUS 100 electric motor at the Safran Electrical & Power Niort facility in France.

Under this agreement, Safran Electrical & Power will receive €14.7 million in funding to support its sustainable aviation efforts and contribute to the European Union's target of net-zero aviation by 2050. The ENGINeUS PULL (ENGINeUS 100 Production and sUpport piLot Lines) project covers a seven-year period, from 2026 to the end of 2032.

Certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2025, the ENGINeUS electric motor is now ready for series production. With support from the Innovation Fund, Safran Electrical & Power is commissioning two semi-automated assembly lines, a dedicated integrated logistics support line, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities at its Niort facility in France.

The manufacturing setup is designed for flexibility and efficiency, applying proven industrial practices inspired by the automotive sector to ensure technology maturity, cost excellence, and operational efficiency.

The motor's modular design enables integration across various aircraft configurations, with the main target being the 100% electric propulsion for two- to four-passenger aircraft but enabling also derivatives for distributed hybrid-electric propulsion for 19-passenger regional aircraft. The motor can be adapted to meet the future performance and reliability requirements expected for defence-related platforms and missions.

"Being selected by the Innovation Fund marks an important step for Safran and positions Safran Electrical & Power as a key contributor to Europe's decarbonisation ambitions and energy transition. It is a recognition of the maturity of our ENGINeUS electric motor, which plays a key role in reducing the carbon footprint of all-electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. We are very proud to support Europe's industrial competitiveness and environmental transition objectives," said Agnès Pronost Gilles, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Power division, Safran Electrical & Power.