Few things suggest the evolution of airports quite like the fact that O’Hare International Airport in Chicago originally opened as a municipal airport. The modern era of air travel has changed airports significantly, but so have the demands of travelers. In some cases, traveler demands have led to the development of airports into dining and entertainment destinations in their own right. Airport EV charging is the culmination of these demands and the history of airports being leaders in sustainability and EV efforts.
Airports present unique opportunities and challenges in the EV charging space and, thankfully, the technology is rising to meet them.
Quick Links:
- The Pivotal Role Airport EV Charging Plays in EV Infrastructure
- Trends in Airport EV Charging
- The Four Pillars of Airport EV Charging
- The Future of Airport EV Charging
The Pivotal Role Airport EV Charging Plays in EV Infrastructure
After a slow dip in sales and adoption rates, the EV market, according to Bloomberg, appears to be headed for significant growth over the next few years. Whether this growth is attributable to investments in EV infrastructure, spurred by the bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, is hard to say. However, when stacked with global interest, more efficient EV batteries, better performance, and more affordable electric vehicles, it’s likely all are having an impact.
This growth, however, would not be possible without increased infrastructure in locations with a critical mass of EVs, like airports. From travelers and airport personnel, to delivery vehicles, rentals, airport services, and, often, a key location on transportation routes, airports can and will play a pivotal role in providing EV infrastructure. In fact, airports are emerging as key hubs for EV charging, aligning with broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote cleaner modes of travel.
To start, one of the primary benefits of airport EV charging is its convenience for travelers. Airports serve as major transportation hubs, attracting thousands of passengers daily. Providing EV charging stations at airports enables EV owners to charge their vehicles while they travel, whether it's for a short trip or an extended stay. This eliminates range anxiety and encourages more people to choose electric vehicles for their journeys, including those renting cars.
Further, airport EV charging supports the growth of electric vehicle fleets for airport operations. Many airports are integrating electric vehicles into their ground transportation fleets, including shuttle buses, taxis, and service vehicles. Investing in charging infrastructure can help airports ensure their electric fleets remain operational with minimal downtime.
Beyond practical applications, airport EV charging is also a visible symbol of sustainability and innovation. Airports are often considered gateways to cities and regions, and showcasing EV charging infrastructure sends a powerful message about a commitment to environmental stewardship. The ultimate hope is that this visible commitment will inspire travelers and businesses to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to both EV adoption and infrastructure development.
Trends in Airport EV Charging
Perhaps the most notable airport EV charging trend is growth. From 1,500 charging stations in 2022, globally, to an expected 3,000 in 2024, EV chargers are popping up at airports across the world. In large part, this was driven by an increase in EV ground support vehicles, but as more fleets electrify and as more EV drivers demand charging infrastructure, that number will continue to grow.
But, when it comes to charging itself, beyond the proliferation of EV charging stations, there are a few other notable trends.
1. Diversifying EV charging options
Airports are offering a variety of charging options from level 2 and DC fast charging to mobile charging, dedicated charging lots, and more. The ultimate goal is to cater to different types of EVs and charging needs.
Some airports are integrating EV charging stations with renewable energy sources such as solar panels or wind turbines to reduce carbon footprint and promote sustainability.
3. Smart Charging Solutions
Implementing smart charging solutions that include networked EV charging stations which allow for remote monitoring, scheduling, and optimization of charging sessions via a charging platform management system (CPMS). Smart charging improves efficiency, reliability, and driver satisfaction.
4. Priority Parking for EVs
No one likes airport parking…unless you’ve got an EV and preferred parking spaces close to terminals or other amenities. While airports may find this desirable for infrastructure access, EV drivers will like the perk, further incentivizing EV adoption.
5. Partnerships with EV Manufacturers and Charging Networks
Airports are forming partnerships with EV manufacturers and charging networks to offer exclusive benefits, discounts, or seamless access to charging infrastructure for travelers. Further, EV charging network providers offer different services, levels of control via CPMS, support, warranties, and more.
6. EV Promotions
Exclusive benefits, discounts, special rates, designated parking? All of these can be leveraged for airport promotions and marketing to travelers. When competing with other regional airports, these incentives and promotions can be a determining factor. Similarly, for vendors, employees, rental companies, and delivery services, EV charging can be promoted widely, with real benefits.
7. Integration with Airport Services
These promotions, in some cases, are integrated with other airport services such as parking management systems, mobile apps, and loyalty programs to provide a seamless experience for travelers.
8. Standardization and Interoperability
Increasing standardization and interoperability, through technology like OCPP and OCPI, EV charging station owners are looking for solutions that standardize charging protocols and ensure interoperability between different EV models and charging stations to enhance convenience and accessibility for users.
9. Future-proof Infrastructure
EV infrastructure, especially on the scale many airports will need, means that airports are investing in scalable and adaptable EV charging infrastructure that will help accommodate future growth in both EV adoption and EV charging technology.
In short, airports are paying attention to the way the industry is growing, changing, and preparing to meet the varied needs of airport EV charging.
The Four Pillars of Airport EV Charging
And just what are those needs? As we noted earlier, airport EV charging is a bit of a unique beast. It presents some of the most varied charging needs and challenges. Airport EV charging stations are, potentially, serving a significant number of drivers and traffic, different vehicles, charging needs, times, fee structures, and power requirements. Understanding those different pillars of EV charging is vital to planning and implementing airport EV charging programs.
EV Fleets
Nearly 5 years ago, airports were beginning to electrify ground service fleets. In fact, in many ways, airports have been a leader in this segment. Increasingly, delivery and service providers, with fleets who service airports, including food and beverage delivery and public service vehicles are making the switch to EV fleets as well.
Airports that can provide the necessary EV infrastructure to service EV fleets and their charging needs will reap the benefits.
EV Rental Cars
As more Americans get curious about EVs, and as more quick-turn fleets realize logistics doesn’t need to be a challenge with the right tools, rental companies are still offering rental EVs. You might be asking, “What about Hertz?” The truth of the matter is that among the concerns with EV rental car demand, along with the cost, is the availability of EV infrastructure to support curious drivers willing to test one out. That’s changing.
As EV infrastructure expands, as vehicles improve, and as rental companies get better at managing the logistics of quick-turn fleet charging, car rental companies expect to see EV rentals pick up.
EV Drivers
Let’s take Reagan National Airport in DC as an example. On March 22, they saw over 40,000 departing passengers (as based on TSA checkpoint numbers). As their second highest number, that’s a peak travel day in that area, and that only includes departing passengers, not those arriving, individuals picking up or dropping off passengers or even the employees who work for various airlines and airport services. In short, that’s a lot of people all descending upon one property and one place at one time.
Currently, approximately 1% of those drivers own an EV. Recent research, however, suggests that more than half of drivers are ready to give EVs a try. Without getting too deep into the math weeds, as only part of the demand for EV charging stations at your airport, we’re still talking about significant demand.
Overall EV Infrastructure
There’s one thing all of the previously mentioned pillars have in common and that’s the need for improved EV infrastructure and, as we mentioned, airports play a pivotal role in providing and promoting that infrastructure.
It’s about more than just servicing the vehicles that have airport business. In fact, most major airports (and even quite a few small ones) are built on high-traffic routes, often near highways or interstates and, for that reason, EV infrastructure may also pull other traffic in from passing travelers, especially as networked EV charging stations will put them on EV charging maps and apps.
In other words, not only are airports serving a vast number of EV drivers and EV fleets, but they act as public EV charging infrastructure as well, especially for drivers who may be taking longer trips. These transportation hubs can become a vital part of EV driver route planning.
Airport nearby? EV charging is available. Most EV drivers would love that, as would the airports who are attracting new visitors and, potentially, new business and new revenue.
The Future of Airport EV Charging
We think Timbuk 3 said it best “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.” We are, undoubtedly, at a crucial point in the EV industry. We’re inching closer to sustainability deadlines, consumers are paying way more attention to ESG goals and actions, and EV technology is improving.
But, it’s more than just how the cars are improving, ranges are extending, and batteries are providing more efficient power. In fact, some of the biggest changes aren’t in the vehicles, but in the charging technology.
And, at the front of that innovation is the NovaCHARGE team who, in the last few months, has released some exciting new technologies, including Virtual Circuit Technology (VCT). VCT ensures OCPP-compliant EV chargers do not overload the grid from which they pull power. Further, VCT also allows customers to, remotely, limit the total power utilized by their entire charger deployment at any time of day, even when sufficient grid power is available. This is unprecedented power control and management, a growing concern for airports.
Similarly, we’ve just released Fleet Director which enables quick-turn fleets to improve fleet readiness by facilitating optimal vehicle and EV charger utilization, improving labor efficiencies, with staff tracking and reporting, and lowering the total cost of charging.
These new additions to our products add to an already robust service offering that provides unparalleled transparency, visibility, reliability, and control for EV charging solutions.
We’re not quite at the “Where we’re going we don’t need roads” portion of the future, so airports still have a big role to play in ground transportation. Are you on board? We all know the destination, and NovaCHARGE would love to help you get there. Reach out to our team today!