EV charging applications vary by location, with different businesses and different facilities having different needs and capacities. But, when it comes to airports, their very “nature” means there are, in a single place, different needs and capabilities. Airport EV charging solutions, for that reason, must factor in the myriad ways electric vehicles are used by and for the airport transportation needs.
Quick Links:
- How Airport EV Charging is Different
- Benefits of Airport EV Charging
- Airport EV Charging Challenges
- Delivering on the EV Charging Needs of Airport Parking Lots
How Airport EV Charging is Different
Airports are unlike any other traffic hub in the world. They manage more traffic (both human and vehicle) and they handle it at higher volume. This, obviously, creates unique challenges and opportunities compared to other EV charging locations.
Because airports are typically hubs of high traffic, with travelers coming and going at all hours, any EV charging infrastructure needs to be highly reliable and capable of handling a continuous stream of vehicles. Unlike a typical EV charging station, where cars might stay for an hour or so, at an airport, vehicles might need to charge quickly to accommodate tight travel schedules. And, in some cases, EVs parked for extended periods may need to be charged before drivers land and need their vehicles.
Further, the demographics of airport users can vary significantly. While some travelers may be seasoned EV drivers accustomed to navigating charging infrastructure, others might be new to electric vehicles or renting an EV for the first time from car rental companies. As a result, they may require user-friendly interfaces and clear signage.
Additionally, airport EV charging stations may need to cater to a diverse range of vehicle types, from compact electric cars to larger EVs like electric buses or shuttles, light-duty trucks and more used within or on airport premises.
And, with all of these vehicles, airport EV charging stations are very likely to see a lot of use, meaning they’ll need to be utility-grade charging stations, capable of handling heavy traffic.
Security is another crucial consideration at airports. Charging stations must be located in well-lit, monitored areas to ensure the safety of both the vehicles and their occupants. Moreover, given the potential for high-value vehicles and longer charging durations, robust security measures, such as surveillance cameras and access controls, may be necessary to prevent theft or vandalism.
In short, airport EV charging requires a tailored approach that addresses the unique demands of high-traffic environments, diverse user demographics, and potentially, security concerns. The end goal for airports, when it comes to EV charging, includes implementing reliable, user-friendly, and secure charging solutions to support EV infrastructure demands while enhancing travel experiences.
Benefits of Airport EV Charging
Even with the potential challenges to implementing a robust EV charging program at an airport, the benefits are numerous for all stakeholders.
1. Convenience: For travelers driving electric vehicles or those renting EVs from rental car companies, access to charging stations at the airport provides convenience. They can charge their vehicles while they are away, ensuring they have enough power for their continued travels, whether that be home or other destinations.
3. Reaching Sustainability Goals: Like most major businesses these days, airports likely have sustainability goals, as do airlines, service vendors, and rental car companies. Offering EV charging infrastructure aligns with those sustainability goals, helping efforts to reduce carbon footprints for everyone, including travelers. It demonstrates both leadership and your commitment to environmentally friendly practices, specifically the transition to cleaner transportation options.
4. Customer Satisfaction: Providing EV charging options isn’t just about convenience. With greater EV adoption, demand is increasing for infrastructure and travelers looking for EV charging may choose airports that specifically meet those needs. Further, those environmental goals don’t go unnoticed. More and more travelers are concerned about sustainable travel and the role they play. Airport EV charging sends a clear message about your commitment to sustainability. Naturally, meeting the needs of travelers improves customer satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Revenue Generation: Airports are businesses and few businesses would turn down revenue generating opportunities. Airport EV charging stations can generate revenue through charging fees. Depending on the pricing structure, this can provide a source of income for the airport, potentially offsetting the costs of installing and maintaining the charging infrastructure. With a number of parking lots, service needs, and charging stations, fee structures might range significantly.
6. Promotion of EV Adoption: For the first time in nearly a decade, EV adoption rates slowed last year. The cause? Insufficient and unreliable EV charging infrastructure. Installing charging stations in prominent locations such as airports, promotes EV awareness and encourages more people to consider purchasing an EV. This can contribute to the wider EV adoption benefitting both the environment and public health.
7. Regulatory Compliance: In some regions, there may be regulations or incentives in place to promote the installation of EV charging infrastructure as we all seek to meet environmental goals and demands. By offering EV charging at airports, authorities can ensure compliance with such regulations and support broader government initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions from transportation.
8. Attract Travelers and Businesses: As noted above, more and more travelers are looking for sustainable options as are businesses. Your commitment to sustainability is likely to result in not only getting their attention, but also their business. In fact, if given the choice between your airport and one that doesn’t feature EV infrastructure, you’re likely to win the business.
Overall, airport EV charging offers a range of benefits, including environmental, economic, and customer-oriented advantages, making it a valuable investment for airports looking to enhance their sustainability and service offerings.
Airport EV Charging Challenges
What makes airport EV charging different, and a bit exciting, is also what creates challenges for implementation. However, none of these challenges should present a major obstacle to a successful installation and implementation.
One of the first challenges is simply that airport EV charging will require significant and well-thought out infrastructure planning. Because airports can be sprawling complexes, EV charging station placement will require careful consideration of space, power capacity, and accessibility. You’ll need to find suitable locations that accommodate the flow of traffic while ensuring convenient access for EV drivers.
This will need to be factored in when selecting airport parking lots for EV charging. During peak travel times, airline roadways may be congested and searching for EV charging stations, located in inconvenient or difficult to access locations may result in driver frustration.
Similarly, non-functioning or unreliable EV charging stations may also present a challenge further impacting EV drivers who may already be stressed from travel. Choosing networked EV chargers which can be monitored remotely can help alleviate this concern.
And, as a final driver concern, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got an EV charging solution that’s open charge point protocol (OCPP) compliant. This ensures drivers are able to pay for fee-based charging, simply and easily.
As noted, providing sufficient power to support multiple EV charging stations simultaneously can strain existing electrical infrastructure. For that reason, airports may need to upgrade their power supply systems to meet EV charging demands of EV charging, or employ flexible solutions like mobile charging stations. In fact, these may be part of a valuable service offering.
These challenges can be addressed through careful planning, investment in infrastructure, and collaboration between stakeholders.
Delivering on the EV Charging Needs of Airport Parking Lots
Even with these challenges, airports have some amazing advantages and opportunities. First and foremost, few businesses have as many parking lot options. From cell phone lots and long/short term parking to employee parking and rideshare lots, there are a plethora of opportunities to place EV charging stations where they’re needed.
However, those opportunities still require EV charging solutions that deliver on the demands of travelers, employees, operations, and other stakeholders. That means finding an EVSE provider who can help you both maximize and optimize your solution.
What does that mean? That means:
- Networked EV charging stations for remote monitoring (and more)
- Network uptime of 99.999% to ensure charger reliability
- AI technology leveraged to improve charger functionality and assist in resolving tier one issues
- OCPP compliant solutions which improve charger and charging app flexibility
- Utility-grade hardware and industry leading warranties and support to ensure functionality
- Flexible charging solutions from level 2, DC Fast, hybrid, and mobile charging stations
- A charging platform management system (CPMS) that enables power management including virtual circuit technology (VCT), ensuring charging stations deliver power while protecting electrical infrastructure
- Airport expertise and experience
Looking for that EVSE provider? Then look no further than NovaCHARGE. Our EV charging solutions were built with flexibility, scalability, and reliability in mind. When we designed our solutions, we did so with the goal of boosting EV charging station performance to support infrastructure builds of all sizes, and improve the charging experience for drivers.
Ready to find a solution that works for you and your needs? Let’s talk!