We may not yet be at the stage of electrified passenger planes, but that has not stopped airports around the world from electrifying elements of operation in ways that are actually market-ready.
Within Canada, YVR holds the crown in this regard, being the only airport in the country to boast a level 4+ rating from the Airport Carbon Accreditation.
One of the primary ways airports like YVR are currently going green is via utilizing “electric ground-support equipment.”
This category includes things like baggage tractors, aircraft tow vehicles, ground power units, and belt loaders.
A 2024 survey found that more than 60% of airports had already adopted at least one eGSE vehicle, and almost 70% plan to increase their fleet size in the future.
YVR already has more than 100 charging ports for electric ground support equipment.
A new report from Enatel looks at how airport owners and operators are increasingly adopting electric ground support equipment to meet sustainability targets, improve efficiency and monitoring abilities, reduce workplace noise, and comply with regulations.
The report, “The Global State of Airside Electrification,” notes how the aviation industry contributes 2% of the world’s total CO2 emissions and more than 10% of emissions within the transportation sector, and looks at how the sector can most effectively adopt clean technologies.
“The shift to electric ground support equipment is gaining momentum around the world,” says Chris Baldwin, chief executive officer of IDEAL Industries, a company that invests in electrification and power management solutions.
“It’s also creating new demands on airport infrastructure,” he says, pointing to another theme of the report: The “most immediate challenge is the growing demand for power,” with competition for capacity “increasing from other airside and landside digitalization initiatives.”
“As fleets electrify, the conversation is moving beyond vehicle adoption to questions around power availability, charging capacity, and how airports can build the resilience needed to support long-term growth,” remarked Baldwin.
Darren King, Managing Director at FastCharge Australia, agrees, suggesting that “too often, the focus is placed on the equipment itself, when in reality the charging infrastructure is what determines the long-term success of an electrification program.”
“The most successful projects begin with a clear understanding of how charging will integrate into the operation—not simply where chargers can be installed,” King posits, adding: “When charging infrastructure is treated as a strategic operational asset rather than just another electrical installation, airports are far better positioned to support today’s fleet requirements and confidently scale for the future.”
YVR is certainly well positioned indeed.
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