Airport floor assist gear (GSE) presents an ideal use case for EVs. The specialty automobiles that service plane on the bottom journey quick distances, and might conveniently cost proper on the airport apron.
Goldhofer, a German-headquartered world supplier of specialty automobiles, unveiled an electrical model of its AST-2 towbarless plane tow tractor (aka Phoenix E) in 2019. Now EFM, which supplies floor assist at Munich Airport, has ordered 14 of Goldhofer’s Phoenix E battery-electric tow tractors.
This EV is a beast—it may wrestle plane of as much as 352 tons into place at towing speeds of as much as 32 km/h. The Phoenix E boasts the identical tractive energy, maneuverability and reliability because the legacy diesel model, and presents decrease working prices and longer upkeep cycles.
The Phoenix E incorporates a 220 kW direct-drive motor and a modular 700 V lithium-ion battery system. Every module has a capability of 40 kWh, and a car might be outfitted with as much as six modules for a complete capability of 240 kWh. The Phoenix E helps CCS Kind 1, CCS Kind 2 and GB/T charging at charges of as much as 22 kW AC or as much as 150 kW DC.
EFM’s 14 Phoenix E tractors are anticipated to be delivered and in operation by 2028.
“This newest funding in Goldhofer gear is an extra milestone for future-proof floor dealing with by EFM at Munich Airport,” says EFM Managing Director Jörg Abel. “As a pioneer within the subject of zero-emission floor assist, our objective is to make floor assist match for a sustainable future.”
