5.6 million euros via BPI France... 

VoltAero's funding for the development of its Cassio 330 electric-hybrid aircraft has increased with the help of a 5.6 million euro grant from the French government via BPI France - the agency that supports France's economic growth by helping its entrepreneurs. The funding was granted as part of the "France 2030" investment plan, set up by the French government with the aim of sustainably transforming key sectors of the country's economy, including aeronautics. "This grant [...] contributes to the development, certification and production of the Cassio 330," said Jean Botti, CEO and CTO of VoltAero. 

...To help develop, certify and produce the Cassio 330

The Cassio 330 is the first of three versions of VoltAero's family of electric-hybrid aircraft that share a high degree of modularity and homogeneity. The family's design is based on VoltAero's "white sheet" configuration, with an aerodynamically optimized aircraft. The Cassio family will form a product line for regional commercial operators, air taxi/charter companies and private owners, as well as for freight, postal delivery and medical evacuation (Medevac) utility services. By integrating VoltAero's patented hybrid-electric propulsion system into the purpose-built aircraft, the Cassio will offer an order of magnitude higher performance than current competition, and significantly lower operating costs, according to its manufacturer.

A hybrid-electric propulsion system 

VoltAero's propulsion concept for the Cassio will use electric motors in the propulsion system located at the rear of the fuselage for all-electric power during taxi, takeoff, main flight (if the distance flown is less than 150 km) and landing. The hybrid function - with an internal combustion engine - comes into play as a range extender, recharging the batteries during flight. What's more, this hybrid element serves as a back-up solution in the event of problems with the electric propulsion, guaranteeing true fail-safety. What's more, it can run on a variety of fuels. The first version to enter service will be the Cassio 330, with five seats and 330 kilowatts of power supplied by the electric-hybrid propulsion system. VoltAero's six-seat Cassio 480 will have 480 kilowatts of electric-hybrid propulsion power, while the Cassio 600 will have a 12-seat capacity and 600 kilowatts of electric-hybrid propulsion power.