Electric vehicles (EVs) have been making significant inroads in various sectors, and one area where their potential is increasingly evident is airside operations at airports, where the benefits of using such vehicles are becoming increasingly clear. This article will examine the impact of electric vehicles on airport ground transportation, the benefits they offer, and the challenges they face.

Airport activities that fall under the category of “airside operations” include maintenance, passenger transportation, luggage handling, and aircraft movement. These operations have typically depended significantly on internal combustion engine powered vehicles. The aviation sector is, however, becoming more aware of the need to lessen its carbon footprint and make the switch to more sustainable methods. Electric vehicles are an essential tool in achieving this goal.

On airport tarmacs, electric ground support vehicles are increasingly widespread. These vehicles include electric tugs, baggage carts, and passenger shuttles. They offer several key advantages over their fossil-fuel counterparts:

 

  1. Environmental Benefits: The most prominent advantage of electric vehicles is their reduced carbon emissions. Airports are often located near densely populated areas, and the air quality around them can be compromised due to conventional vehicles. Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner air quality.
  2. Healthier Working Environments: The air quality at airports is not great. Many workers who are exposed to the emissions during airside activities can face health issues due to this exposure. While most of these emissions come from the aircraft themselves, the more internal combustion engine powered vehicles that operate in and around airports, the greater the risk to workers.
  3. Cost Savings: While the upfront cost of electric ground support vehicles may be higher, they typically have lower operating and maintenance costs. Electricity is cheaper than gasoline or diesel fuel, and electric vehicles have fewer moving parts, leading to reduced maintenance expenses over time.
  4. Noise Reduction: Airports can be noisy environments, and electric vehicles are quieter than their internal combustion engine powered counterparts. This reduction in noise pollution benefits airport employees and nearby residents.
  5. Efficiency: Electric motors offer high torque at low speeds, making electric ground support vehicles suitable for towing aircraft and handling heavy loads efficiently. This can lead to improved operational productivity.
  6. Regulatory Compliance: Many countries and regions are introducing stricter emissions regulations, incentivizing airports to transition to electric ground support vehicles to comply with these requirements.
  7. Brand Image: Airports that invest in sustainable practices, including electric ground support vehicles, can enhance their brand image and appeal to environmentally conscious travelers.

 

Despite these advantages, there are challenges associated with the adoption of electric vehicles in airside operations:

  1. Infrastructure: Installing charging infrastructure at airports can be a significant undertaking. Airports need to invest in charging stations strategically placed throughout the airside area to ensure electric ground support vehicles can operate efficiently. The costs associated with the engineering and construction of this infrastructure is not an investment all airports are prepared to make.
  2. Range Limitations: While electric vehicles are suitable for short to medium-range tasks on the airside, long-haul applications such as runway inspection vehicles may require larger batteries or alternative solutions. While battery technology has come a long way, electric vehicles may not yet be the most effective way to accomplish many of these operations.
  3. Initial Costs: The upfront cost of electric ground support vehicles can be higher than their internal combustion engine powered counterparts, which may pose financial challenges for airports with limited budgets.
  4. Charging Time: Charging electric vehicles takes time, which can affect operational schedules if not managed efficiently. The difference in time that it takes to fully charge an electric vehicle is still significantly longer than it takes to fill up a tank of gas. With solid state battery technology on the horizon, charge times are expected to decrease significantly, and vehicle range is expected to increase significantly, however, this technology is still a few years out.
  5. Battery Degradation: Electric vehicle batteries degrade over time, and airport operators need to plan for battery replacement and disposal, which can have environmental implications.
  6. Battery Safety: Lithium-ion batteries are still the most effective battery technology for use in electric vehicles, however, these batteries can cause safety concerns if not safely used and maintained. Numerous instances of batteries combusting due to thermal runaway have occurred, causing injuries to persons, and damage to expensive equipment. These batteries contain hazardous chemicals that, if ignited, can be extremely difficult to extinguish.
  7. Limitation of Electrical Systems: The electrical systems that exist at most, if not all, airports today were not designed with electric vehicles in mind. The addition of electric ground support vehicles has put significant strain on these existing systems, to the point that many are in need of capacity upgrades to keep up with the demand. Electrification of all things airport related may be the future, but that future will not be possible if these systems are not upsized to meet that future demand.

At Denver International Airport in Colorado, PK Electrical Inc. has been working with United Airlines over the past few years to electrify their airside operations. From building a new parking lot with power pedestals to charge their electrified deicing fleet, to adding charging stations at every gate to power their ever-growing electric ground support vehicle fleet, United Airlines is leading the aviation industry’s charge (pun intended) toward an all-electric future. As an industry leader, United Airlines is setting the bar high and doing their part to better the world and the image of the aviation industry.

Due to their advantages for the environment, reduced costs, and increased efficiency, electric ground support vehicles are steadily making headway in airside activities at airports around the globe. For widespread implementation, however, issues with infrastructure, up-front expenses, battery technology, and overall safety must be resolved. Electric ground support vehicles are positioned to play a big part in the future of airside operations as airports work to minimize their carbon footprint and achieve sustainability goals. The future looks bright.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been making significant inroads in various sectors, and one area where their potential is increasingly evident is airside operations at airports, where the benefits of using such vehicles are becoming increasingly clear. This article will examine the impact of electric vehicles on airport ground transportation, the benefits they offer, and the… Read More


Starting with elementary school band, and evolving through choir, theater, and high school band, my passion for music has developed with me my entire life. I grew up playing video games, and I always remember being so drawn to the soundtracks of games, often forgoing the game to instead become enveloped in the sound. Whether… Read More


Internships & apprenticeships can play a crucial role in shaping the career of an individual. Not only are they vital in developing our skills as effective workers, but they also help us develop people skills and build important relationships that could prove vital in the future. I believe they help you learn about yourself and… Read More


Photovoltaic (PV) energy, also referred to as solar energy, is a clean, renewable source of power which converts sunlight into thermal or electrical energy.  The electrical energy produced through PV sources is then converted into electricity. There are three major types of solar energy:  passive, active, and thermal solar. Passive solar energy systems are built… Read More


Each year the Nevada Women’s Fund hosts an event to recognize extraordinary women in the northern Nevada community.  The mission of the Nevada Women’s fund is to remain, “dedicated to strengthening our community by empowering women to improve their lives and those of their families”.  The organization is governed by a Board of Directors including… Read More


Founded in 1996 by Karen Purcell, P.E., PK Electrical has grown from a small local business to a nationally recognized electrical engineering firm. This would not have been possible without our thoughtful leadership and innovative designs. The firm has had the privilege of continuing to work with the clients that it began working with 25… Read More


What is Project NEON? Project NEON is an almost $1 billion project that is extremely important for Las Vegas. It “is the largest public works project in Nevada history” and has been in progress since December 2015 (NDOT). This project affects the “Spaghetti Bowl” and surrounding freeway areas, which are some of the most congested… Read More


What Is The Southeast Connector? The Southeast Connector is a two-phase electrical engineering project that connects Eastern Sparks, Nevada to Southern Reno, Nevada. It is a limited access roadway with major intersections at Greg Street in Sparks, Pembroke Drive, Mira Loma Drive and South Meadows Parkway in Reno. The roadway will terminate into Veterans Parkway… Read More


The PK office attended the 25th anniversary of the Nevada Women’s Fund Salute to Women of Achievement luncheon yesterday at the GSR.  This years theme was focused on STEM, specifically, women in STEM, so who better to be chair of the event, than PK’s very own Karen Purcell!  As principal of PK Electrical, a 28 person Electrical Engineering firm, with offices… Read More


Are you looking for a great career opportunity? Are you looking to join an innovative engineering firm? Experienced Electrical Engineer/Designers!! Do you want to work for a great company and live in a great place? Here is your chance to join the region’s leading Electrical Engineering firm! Some of our wins: Solid expansion through the… Read More


Experienced Microstation/AutoCad Drafter Needed!! Here is a rare chance to join the region’s leading Electrical Engineering firm that is expanding! Do you take pride in the quality of work you produce? Do you enjoy and excel in a team environment? Do you want to grow yourself and your electrical engineering career to the next level? We are… Read More


At PK Electrical we value creating a fun, positive, team-oriented environment.  At the end of 2014, a FUN committee was created to plan and organize activities for PK as a whole to participate in.  Since its inception, we have had an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, Email BINGO, Valentine’s breakfast potluck, and a Bowling Night.  Some… Read More


Take a look at one of our latest and greatest completed projects!  It’s such a pleasure to see the end result of all the hard work and commitment that our great design and construction team invested into this CMAR project.  This is a facility that is truly appreciated and cherished by the community of Douglas… Read More


PK Electrical had an Ugly Christmas Sweater contest today in our Reno office….we are still waiting to tally the results.  Who do you think has the Ugliest/ Tackiest sweater? Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone here at PK!… Read More


Today, Thursday, November 6th from 11 AM to 10 PM all 3 Chili’s in Reno/ Carson City are donating 15% of their sales to the Veterans Guest House. So the employees in the PK Reno office headed down the street to Chili’s for lunch! Please click this link for more details!  Give Back Event Flyer You can… Read More


Electrical Engineers Need to Express Themselves Too The Monday Morning Meeting Gathered around our big layout table is where you will find the employees of PK Electrical on a typical Monday morning; even the Denver office joins us via telephone. Our Monday Morning Meeting is a great way for us to stay connected to each… Read More


On Wednesday 7/29 I had the honor of attending the Patriot’s Luncheon at the Reno Air National Guard Base, put on by Barracuda Championship (formerly Reno-Tahoe Open), benefitting Veterans Guest House and featuring K9s For Warriors. PK Electrical bought a table, where I sat with Joey Ganser and Dugan Hadler (also with PK), Steve Ainsworth… Read More


Karen Purcell, P.E. has written an article that appears in PE Magazine. As a society, we learn about the world and advance our well-being through science and engineering. The United States may be known around the world for its higher education but compared to many other leading and steadily emerging countries we lack a strong focus… Read More