We are not yet 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.
For example, YVR has long held low-carbon ambitions, and has implemented a range of measures to achieve its goal.
The airport, a member of British Columbia’s Building to Electrification Coalition, was even recognized by Foresight Canada’s BC Cleantech Awards for demonstrating leadership integrating cleantech solutions into operations.
One of the primary ways airports are 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.
Other examples include the compact Billy Bishop operating an electrified fleet without having to sweat scale, while the larger Montréal–Trudeau has aggressive 2030 targets for clean energy utilization.
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.
And not just airports, but also airlines; more than 300 have joined the International Air Transport Association, an association committed to net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050, including Montreal’s Air Canada and Calgary’s WestJet.
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.”
Founded in New Zealand in 2002, Enatel powers airports and industrial fleets with charging solutions.