Frankfurt airport deploys electric tugs for large aircraft
Operator Fraport has introduced two fully electric aircraft tugs at Frankfurt Airport to move large jets during pushback and apron repositioning, with a third vehicle on order.
Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, has put two fully electric aircraft tugs into service, according to the company. Built by Goldhofer, the vehicles are designated E-Phoenix and can move large passenger aircraft, including during pushback and when repositioning planes on the apron.
A third tug of the same type has already been ordered, Fraport said.
Each vehicle carries a battery pack of 240 kilowatt-hours. Using fast charging, it can be fully recharged in around ninety minutes, according to the operator. The state of Hesse contributed 171,700 euros toward the purchase.
Fraport said the acquisition is part of a broader push to electrify its vehicle fleet at the airport and cut emissions from ground operations. No further details on the rollout timeline or the size of the eventual tug fleet were given.
Sources
- aerotelegraph.comFlughafen Frankfurt setzt elektrische Schlepper für Großflugzeuge ein