All-Electric Airport Vehicles Programme Launched

March 20:

A large-scale eco-driven programme's been launched at one of the United States' major airports which aims to really drive down its greenhouse gas emissions output.

Launched in mid-March 2014, the project at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport involves Alaska Airlines, the US Government, Western Washington Clean Cities and the Port of Seattle.

Presently powered by conventional fuel, all Seattle-Tacoma's ground vehicles will soon replaced by electric-powered equivalents. Some 200 of these will be Alaska Airlines-operated while, around the airport, almost 600 recharging stations will positioned, allowing pushback vehicles, luggage tugs and other types of vehicles to be topped back up within a four-hour timeframe.

Electric Airport Vehicles

It's estimated that with Seattle-Tacoma's GSE (ground support equipment) converted to an all-electric airport vehicle fleet, 10,000 tonnes of emissions will be stopped from entering the atmosphere each year. At the same time, airline fuel costs will reduce by an estimated $2.8 million per annum.

"This project provides the infrastructure for airlines to convert their vehicles from diesel to electric in Sea-Tac's effort to become the first major airport in the US to provide charging stations at all gates", Port of Seattle Commission co-president, Courtney Gregoire, explained. "As many as 650 vehicles could eventually be covered by electric technology and make a huge difference in the airport's carbon footprint."

Sea-Tac Electric Vehicles

'Sea-Tac's' electric vehicles/infrastructure programme is costing $31 million to implement. A variety of sources are funding it, including the US FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), which has provided a $3.5m grant.

"Switching from fossil fuels to electric-powered equipment not only benefits the environment by reducing carbon emissions and fuel use, but the transition is expected to save Alaska Air Group about $300,000 a year in fuel costs", added Alaska Airlines' Jeff Butler. "These sustainability efforts help us keep our costs down in order to provide better value for our customers."

Seattle-Tacoma presently ranks as the United States' fifteenth-largest airport, with 2013 passenger-handling figures of 34.7 million.

Source: http://www.airport-int.com/news/all-electric-airport-vehicles-programme-launched.html?