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Airport Implementation Considerations

The following information helps fleet managers consider integrating alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles into their airport fleets. It covers vehicles and equipment, fuel and infrastructure, and maintenance and operation. For information specific to your area, contact your local Clean Cities coalition.

Vehicles and Equipment

Two major categories of fleets serve airports: airport-owned and -managed fleets and private fleets that provide services to the airport, airlines, hotels, and passengers. The wide variety of vehicles used range from small passenger transports used inside the terminal to passenger cars, heavy-duty trucks and buses, forklifts, tugs, and runway sweepers. Various alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle options are available for these applications:

Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

The following are example strategies and recommendations for implementing alternative fuel and advanced technology airport vehicles:

  • Airport-Based Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleets (PDF 218 KB)
  • A Strategic Plan for the Development of an Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program at General Mitchell International Airport Milwaukee, Wisconsin (PDF 2 MB)
  • A Strategic Plan for the Expansion of the Clean Fuel Vehicle Program at Philadelphia International Airport (PDF 3 MB)

Fuel and Infrastructure

Many airports that have implemented alternative fuel strategies found that developing fueling infrastructure was key to their success. Infrastructure development included retail groundside installations and private airside installations. With the infrastructure in place, they were able to enlist further support from other fleets that served the airport and developed a new revenue stream for the airport from selling fuel to other customers.

Availability, cost, and implementation issues for alternative fuels depend on the fuel type, fuel suppliers, and local market and environmental conditions.

If not already available, the cost of building natural gas, propane, or ethanol (E85) infrastructure can be significant. However, by entering in supply contracts with local suppliers, costs for fuel can be reduced greatly.

Biodiesel can normally be used in existing diesel fueling infrastructure. It is important to avoid pitfalls related to biodiesel's properties by thoroughly cleaning, maintaining, and inspecting equipment. For more on biodiesel use and infrastructure considerations, see Biodiesel Handling and Use Guidelines (PDF 1.5 MB).

Electric vehicles can be recharged via standard electrical outlets or by using electric charging stations. Hybrid electric vehicles use existing gasoline infrastructure and never need to be plugged in.

Most U.S. fueling stations, and all stations in California, offer ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD). Although ULSD is not an alternative fuel, it provides significant emissions reductions when used in vehicles equipped with advanced emission control technologies. All model-year 2007 and newer diesel vehicles (powered with model-year 2007 and newer engines) are required to use ULSD. Replacing old diesel vehicles with newer ones featuring advanced emissions controls can provide significant emissions reductions. Vehicles can also be retrofit with "clean diesel" technologies.

See the Alternative Fuel Price Report for the prices of alternative fuels versus gasoline and diesel.

Maintenance and Operation

Most drivers of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles notice minimal differences in performance compared with conventional vehicles. In some cases, they notice benefits. Natural gas and propane vehicles operate more quietly than their diesel counterparts. Biodiesel-fueled vehicles produce less soot. Hybrid electric vehicles have high torque, making them ideal for vehicles that start and stop frequently.

When implementing new technologies, fleet mechanics must be trained to ensure the new vehicles are properly maintained. Studies show that costs for proper maintenance and operation of alternative fuel vehicles can actually be less than conventional vehicle costs. For study details, visit the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity Web site.

Training is available from many sources, including vehicle manufacturers and the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium. Visit the Technician Training page for more training opportunities.

Additional Assistance

For additional assistance implementing alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles and infrastructure, contact your local Clean Cities coalition or ask an expert a fleet-related question.