Skip to main content

Heathrow set to trial electric vehicles

London’s Heathrow airport is to trial a fleet of electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, Peugeot iOn, Vauxhall Ampera and the Renault Kangoo ZE, to test the viability of electric power-trains used in the highly demanding context of daily airport operations. Heathrow Airport, which supports a potential switch to zero-emission ground based vehicles, British Airways, LSG SkyChefs and Gate Gourmet will be using the electric vehicles within their normal fleet to better understand the suitability or otherwi
October 26, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
London’s Heathrow airport is to trial a fleet of electric vehicles, including the 838 Nissan LEAF, Peugeot iOn, 4231 Vauxhall Ampera and the 2453 Renault Kangoo ZE, to test the viability of electric power-trains used in the highly demanding context of daily airport operations.

Heathrow Airport, which supports a potential switch to zero-emission ground based vehicles, 6795 British Airways, 6794 LSG SkyChefs and 6796 Gate Gourmet will be using the electric vehicles within their normal fleet to better understand the suitability or otherwise of EVs for their operations.

Following a detailed assessment of vehicles technologies last year, STS, which manages the Heathrow Clean Vehicles Partnership (CVP), carried out a detailed assessment of vehicles technologies last year, and has recommended greater use of EVs at Heathrow; not only as a way to reduce life cycle CO2 emissions, but also as part of the NOx emissions reduction strategy across the airport.

STS director Dr Ben Lane says, “Given the current availability of high quality EVs, and need to reduce ground based vehicle emissions, STS are recommending an increase in the use of electric vehicles at Heathrow. In addition to the fleet of almost 700 electric baggage tugs already in use, we see considerable potential for other electric ground support equipment (such as cargo loaders and pushback tractors), as well as the latest on-road electric cars and vans now available in the UK.”

David Vowles, air quality and noise policy manager at Heathrow Airport said: “Ten per cent of airside vehicles are already electric. The Clean Vehicle Partnership facilitates collaborative working amongst Heathrow fleet operators as well as providing advice, guidance and training to reduce emissions. This trial gives fleet operators more experience of using electric vehicles and the opportunity to test their suitability for both airside use and on the road.”

Renaults’ head of Electric Vehicle Programme at Renault UK Andy Heiron also commented: “We were keen to work with CVP members to accelerate the uptake of low emission vehicles and practices for ground use at Heathrow. The EV trial will allows vehicle operators on the airport to experience and better understand the capabilities of Kangoo van ZE in this environment. With around 600 ‘conventional’ Kangoo vans already in service at Heathrow we know this van is well adapted to airport use and are confident that this trial will demonstrate that the ZE version is ideal for the type of duty cycle most operators demand.”

Related Content

  • March 4, 2019
    Kerb your enthusiasm, warns Passport
    Dynamic kerbside management is crucial if urban authorities are to address increasingly chaotic situations caused by the gig economy and mobility innovation, says Adam Warnes at Passport Demand for the kerbside is growing and changing and it’s no surprise when you consider the recent innovations within the mobility industry. For starters, there are new modes of transport, including ride-shares, electric vehicles (EVs), dockless cycles, last-mile consolidations and autonomous vehicles (AVs). Secondly, the
  • January 13, 2014
    More than 35 million electric vehicles on the world’s roads by 2022
    According to a new report from Navigant Research, by 2022 there will be more than 35 million electric vehicles (EVs) on roads worldwide. The report, “Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts”, provides forecasts, market sizing, and market share analysis for the overall light-duty (LD) vehicle market and LD EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and battery EVs.
  • February 23, 2017
    LiDAR sets its sights on future problems
    AAdvances in LiDAR are helping transport authorities improve services and identify potential problem areas, as geospatial technology expert Dr Neil Slatcher explains. The effects of climate change on the transport infrastructure have long been a cause of concern within the transportation sector - and not only on the structures themselves but also on the surrounding areas. This year, those concerns have become reality with landslides, structural collapses and surfacing issues impacting services across the wo
  • February 6, 2013
    Reducing fuel consumption and CO2 with vehicle tracking
    Satellite vehicle tracking technology from Isotrak is helping Skanska UK’s utilities business save on fuel and reduce emissions. Using the real-time system to track the company’s mobile workforce on the road enables efficient vehicle management and provides detailed reporting on individual driving styles for each driver. This has enabled the company to manage its fleet and drivers better by helping them to comply with its environmental policy and duty of care programme. According to Isotrak, the solution c