How to Electrify Airside Fleets Overnight?

With the aviation industry accounting for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions (IATA, 2023), airports are under increasing pressure to decarbonize. A critical opportunity lies in electrifying airside fleets ground support equipment (GSE), baggage tugs, shuttle buses, and other vehicles that operate on the tarmac. In the U.S. alone, over 170 airports have committed to sustainability initiatives (Airport Council International, 2023), but challenges like high infrastructure costs, grid limitations, and operational downtime slow progress.

L-Charge’s off-grid, mobile charging solution provides airports with a faster, cheaper, and more flexible way to power electric airside fleets without waiting for grid upgrades.

The State of Airport Electrification in the U.S.

• Only 5% of GSE at U.S. airports are currently electric, despite the FAA’s push for zero-emission vehicles (FAA, 2023)

• The U.S. plans to electrify 50% of all airport GSE by 2030, requiring thousands of new charging stations (White House Clean Ports & Airports Program, 2024)

• Major hubs like LAX and SFO have already begun electrifying fleets, but smaller airports struggle with high costs and outdated power grids (Airport Technology, 2024)

• Electric GSE adoption is growing at 18% annually, but charging infrastructure remains a bottleneck (BloombergNEF, 2024)

Challenges of Electrifying Airside Fleets

1. High Power Demand – Charging multiple heavy-duty vehicles can require up to 1 MW of power per station, straining airport grids (DOE, 2023)

2. Limited Space & Infrastructure – Many U.S. airports were built decades ago and lack space for fixed charging stations (Transportation Research Board, 2023)

3. Operational Disruptions – Slow charging can delay turnaround times; some electric GSE still require 4-8 hours for a full charge (SAE International, 2024)

4. High Upfront Costs – Installing permanent charging infrastructure can cost $500K–$2M per station (ACI-NA, 2023)

How L-Charge Solves These Challenges

L-Charge’s mobile, off-grid power stations eliminate dependency on fixed grid infrastructure, providing a scalable, cost-efficient, and ultra-fast charging solution.

1. No Grid Upgrades Needed

• Generates power on-site using Renewable Natural Gas and other clean fuels.

• Ideal for airports with aging infrastructure or those in remote locations.

2. Ultra-Fast Charging

• Level 3 ultra-fast charging, reducing downtime.

• Enables opportunity charging between shifts, keeping operations running smoothly.

3. Lower Infrastructure Costs

• Avoids expensive grid upgrades—saving airports millions in capital expenses.

• Pay-as-you-go model allows gradual fleet electrification.

4. Zero Emissions & Future-Ready

• Uses low-carbon or carbon-negative fuels(flare gas), supporting FAA and EPA sustainability mandates.

• Hydrogen-ready and compatible with next-gen battery-electric GSE.

Real-World Applications

Baggage & Cargo Tugs – Fast-charge electric tugs without disrupting logistics.
Aircraft Pushback Tractors – High-power charging for heavy-duty EVs.
Passenger Shuttles – Keep electric buses running with minimal downtime.
Emergency Backup Power – Provides resilient power during outages.

With U.S. airports facing decarbonization targets, electrifying airside fleets can’t wait for slow grid upgrades. L-Charge’s off-grid, mobile charging stations offer a fast, cost-effective, and scalable solution, helping airports meet sustainability goals without operational disruptions.

Ready to future-proof your airside operations? Contact L-Charge today for a custom electrification plan.