Evaluating the economics of electric loaders

Airlines and ground handling companies are facing ever-increasing pressure to reduce the level of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their operations as a result of governmental regulations, environmental objectives, employee health concerns and mitigation measures associated with airport expansion plans. At the same time, diesel fuel used in the majority of ground support equipment (GSE) is reaching record-high prices. 

The RampSnake bulk loading system is one of many electric-powered ground support equipment options available from JBT AeroTech.

JBT AeroTech has a history of producing successful electric GSE in response to a need to reduce operations costs and emissions, including the EUROstep passenger steps; conventional aircraft tow tractors for Southwest Airlines, based in Dallas, Texas, U.S.A; and the RampSnake® bulk loading system; as well as a prototype transporter that runs on hydrogen power for Iberia Airlines, based in Madrid, Spain.

Most recently, JBT AeroTech developed the Commander 15i electric cargo loader, an electric version of the Commander 15i diesel-powered loader, which is the most popular loader in the industry.

The success of the Commander 15i electric is the result of innovative features such as a low maintenance AC electric power source coupled with a hydrostatic drive system, Heliroll® convey system to improve loading efficiency; adjustable “wings” to allow it to service aircraft of any size; a swing-out power module to reduce maintenance costs and improve availability; and advanced hydraulics and electronic controls with an on-board diagnostic system to reduce the time required to diagnose and resolve problems.

“We purposefully engineered this technology behind the scenes to make operation controls nearly identical to the diesel version. As such, operators will be familiar with its use,” says Lowell Oster, manager of product marketing for JBT AeroTech ground support equipment . “In addition, JBT AeroTech has developed a simple retrofit for existing diesel equipment.”

Extensive field testing with Delta Air Lines, Inc., at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Fla., U.S.A, demonstrated the Commander 15i electric loader’s efficient operation and proven reliability.

Technical feasibility  

During the development process, the Commander 15i electric loader was tested with full load cycles and the maximum weights for respective aircraft. In-house testing was performed for more than three months on an aircraft simulator that resulted in load performance improvements, such as increasing the number of wide body aircraft turns on a single battery charge from seven to 11. This was followed by extensive field testing with Delta Air Lines at Orlando International Airport, Orlando, Fla., U.S.A., that demonstrated the electric loader’s efficient operation and proven reliability.

Operators involved in the testing indicated they appreciated the clean and quiet operation of the electric loader compared with the diesel version. Also, because the only physical difference between the two is the power module, they were immediately comfortable using the electric loaders.

Based on this extensive testing, JBT AeroTech recommends opportunistically charging the electric power module between flights as well as a full eight-hour charge once a day, which is enough power for approximately 11 complete aircraft turns, Oster says.

Economic viability

One of the best techniques for determining whether electric powered GSE is a good candidate to replace the diesel-powered version is by evaluating differences in their total cost of ownership. The first difference between the Commander 15i electric-powered loader and a similar diesel-powered loader is a higher purchase price and an additional battery depreciation charge. However, the electric loader offers a dramatic reduction in energy costs, lower maintenance expenses and zero emissions.

“The economic viability of investing in an electric rather than a diesel loader has been demonstrated with a payback period of about 2 1/2 years and a net present value of nearly $65,000 more than compensating for the higher initial investment,” Oster explains.

Federal funding is available for vehicles that reduce emissions. Visit the sidebar for more information. 

The purchase of an electric loader today prepares airlines and ground handlers for a future likely to include increasing fuel prices, even greater regulation and higher costs related to emissions. While diesel engines will continue to face increasingly stringent emission requirements and alternative technologies such as hydrogen power are in their early stages, JBT AeroTech’s electric-powered Commander 15i loader provides a proven zero emission solution today. JBT AeroTech will build on this success with the introduction of additional electric-powered equipment in the years to come.

Funding available for electric conversion The Federal Aviation Administration’s Voluntary Airport Low Emission (VALE) Program is one example of several programs designed to assist companies investing in emissions-reducing ground support equipment. The VALE has the goal of reducing airport ground emissions at commercial airports in federal air quality non-attainment and maintenance areas, and has two major airport funding programs. The Airport Improvement Program (AIP) provides funds for new, alternative-fuel vehicles. The vehicles must be owned by the airport, and the program carries a low 10 percent to 25 percent cost-share requirement. The Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) has funding available for new and retrofit vehicles with alternative and cleaner conventional fuels. The vehicles may be airport or non-airport owned, and there is no cost-share requirement.

For more information on electric-powered ground support equipment, visit the JBT AeroTech Web site or contact a JBT AeroTech specialist.


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