Interview: Heathrow Airport

With 7,500 airside vehicles accounting for approximately 10 per cent of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from the airport, Heathrow has pledged to reduce the environmental impact of its airside fleet.

Describe the ground fleet at Heathrow Airport
A huge number of vehicles – around 7,500 – operate airside at Heathrow. They are used to service aircraft and to support passengers and range from road vehicles such as cars, vans and HGVs, to specialist equipment such as baggage tugs, motorised steps, high-lifts and aircraft pushback tugs. Approximately 750 of these are electric which means that, along with our on-site partners, Heathrow now operates the largest fleet of electric airside vehicles compared to any other airport in Europe.

Why is it important to reduce emissions from the airport’s ground vehicles?
We are committed to running Heathrow responsibly. Our location means we are in an area of high emissions – not just from airport related activities, but from passing traffic on the motorways and roads around us, as well as local industry and housing. Air quality management is therefore a priority for us all. We are helping meet EU limits around the airport by acting responsibly and reducing emissions from the four main airport sources: aircraft, fixed plant, airport-related landside vehicles, and airside vehicles.
    
Airside vehicles are one of the key sources of emissions from the airport. It is estimated that the 7,500 airside vehicles account for around 10 per cent of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from the airport, so this is an area in which we can make a real impact. To do this we have a specific action plan which focuses on the introduction of vehicle technologies which will reduce emissions from commercial and airside vehicles operating in and around Heathrow.

Explain your Electric vehicle trial
Electric vehicles are not new to Heathrow. They have long played an important part of airside operations in the form of over 700 electric baggage tugs. However, we felt there were significant opportunities for other vehicle types including cars, vans and some of the specialist ground support equipment to convert to electric and thus reduce emissions. To support the uptake of these vehicles the Clean Vehicles Partnership (CVP, see more information below) organised the trial of a number of electric cars and vans which were used to transport staff around the airfield on a day-to‑day basis. We trialled the Nissan Leaf, Peugeot Ion, Vauxhall Ampera and Renault Kangoo ZE and they were charged from a basic three pin socket where the vehicles were kept overnight. The idea was to build awareness of these vehicles and confidence in their use.
    
In addition to the trials organised by the CVP a number of operators have trialled electric specialist ground support vehicles including belt loaders, cargo loaders and push back tractors.

Why were electric vehicles chosen over other alternative fuels?
Electric vehicles are zero emission at point of use. They also suit the 20 mph, stop-start operations around the airfield very well. Unlike combustion engined vehicles, the electric vehicles don’t suffer a performance penalty in these operating conditions.  
    
In terms of cost, the electric cars and vans are considerably more expensive than their diesel counterparts, but costs are decreasing, and with these savings whole life costs are starting to be comparable. With the ground support equipment, capital costs are less prohibitive as they use standard lead acid battery technology, and are cost competitive now.

How has the feedback of the trial been so far?
The feedback on the performance of the vehicles was very positive. The vehicles worked well in the airside environment – it was felt that they could easily fulfil the function for which they were being used. There were concerns about the capital cost of the vehicles, but the greatest barrier
to uptake is the availability of recharging infrastructure at the airport.

Explain how the Clean Vehicle Partnership works
As the airport owner and operator, HAL is accountable for the airport’s emissions.  However with 320 companies employing 76,500 people at Heathrow, the ability to achieve our ambitions depends on the actions and behaviours of many different companies. It is therefore imperative that we work with our partners to achieve improvements in environmental performance.  
    
One way we do this is through developing structured partnerships, such as the Clean Vehicle Partnership. The aim of the partnership is to help Heathrow businesses reduce emissions from their fleet operations. The Partnership facilitates collaborative working amongst fleet operators and provides free advice, guidance and training to reduce emissions. Two key features of the Partnership are information sharing and monitoring.

We encourage and facilitate trials of a range of fleet emission reduction measures and then share the lessons learnt amongst members of the group. We also help companies monitor their fleet emissions as we believe this to be an essential first step in gaining ownership of the issue and being able to demonstrate progress.

Do you use any other alternatively-fuelled vehicles?
There is unlikely to be just one technological solution to reduce emissions from the airside fleet. For example, whilst electric vehicles have been one of the success stories, it is not always a viable option for larger vehicles. We have therefore deployed a number of technologies and fuel types over the past 15 years. Some, like electric, have been a success, others have been less successful.
    
Later this year we will deploy the first hydrogen vehicle on the airport; these vehicles are still expensive compared to their diesel and petrol equivalents, but the expected increase in global production should see costs fall further and the available of models increase over the next couple of years.
    
Off the airfield we recently launched the UK’s first publically accessible hydrogen fuelling station. The station is part of the HyTEC project which introduces zero emissions hydrogen fuel cell taxis into London which can now be fuelled at Heathrow. We will also soon be undertaking an assessment of stop-start hybrids to test their effectiveness and suitability.
    
The airside drive cycle is tough and we need vehicles that are able to cope with it. By working with the CVP and trialling different types of vehicles, we believe we can make a significant impact on emissions, without compromising on performance.

What other measures have you taken to green your fleet?
In 2011 we undertook a study to assess the potential benefits of promoting eco driver training within the airport environment. This concluded that significant fuel costs and emissions savings could be achieved through the wide scale adoption of training and other measures that influence driving styles. Subsequently we have run several trials incorporating driver training (EST’s Smarter Driving and SAFED) and telematics that provide in-cab feedback. A recent trial of the Ashwoods’ Lightfoot in cab feedback system demonstrated an 11.2 per cent improvement in fuel economy and a trial of EST’s Smarter Driving with 20 drivers resulted in a 19.4 per cent gain.

What advice would you give to other airport fleet managers?
However old your fleet is and however good you think your drivers are there will always be opportunities to reduce emissions and fuel costs. A partnership approach with other operators at the airport is helpful for sharing ideas, identifying barriers, developing joint solutions and, above all having the maximum impact on reducing emissions.

Further information
www.heathrowairport.com