The Port Authority, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) announced the installation of eight charging stations for electric ground support equipment at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The dual-port chargers can power up to 16 Delta Air Lines’ electric ground support vehicles at the same time, including baggage tugs, airplane tow tractors, and other airside equipment.
The chargers, installed by the New York Power Authority, advance the Port Authority’s industry-leading commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, while facilitating the same achievement for its operational partners, including airlines. This includes a 2022 mandate that requires operators to transition to zero-emissions ground support equipment at all three major Port Authority airports, subject to the commercial availability and operational feasibility of zero-emission models and the availability of charging and refueling infrastructure.
“The Port Authority is honoring its commitment to reduce emissions in the communities we serve,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “These ground support equipment chargers will support a cleaner, more sustainable future for all kinds of critical airside equipment and will serve as an example of our commitment to work hand-in-hand with our operational partners toward a greener future.”
“We thank our partners in both the public and private sectors who agree on the urgency of the climate threat before us and the need to convert dirty polluting diesel equipment to clean electric equipment,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. “These chargers help pave the way for more electric conversions of operational equipment and a more sustainable future for airport operations. We thank NYPA, Delta, and JKFIAT for their partnership.”
“New EV charging infrastructure for electric fleet vehicles at the Delta terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport is another advancement that will help decarbonize New York’s busiest airport,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “NYPA is proud to have provided expert guidance and oversight for this important terminal electrification project and we will continue to seek additional electrification opportunities with Port Authority as we move New York state forward toward a clean energy economy.”
“The funding from the historic Volkswagen settlement continues to bolster New York state’s ongoing efforts to invest in increased electrification of the state’s transportation system, reducing the pollution that contributes to climate change,” said NYSDEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar. “The addition of the newest JFK Airport charging stations and electric ground support equipment will reduce fuel usage, resulting in a cleaner and safer airport for workers and travelers alike. This investment is a prime example of the many ways New York state is acting on climate, advancing the clean energy transition, adding green jobs, and improving quality of life for New Yorkers.”
“Sustainability is one of the key pillars of our mission to responsibly steward the largest terminal at JFK Airport and prepare it for the future,” said Roel Huinink, chief executive officer of Terminal 4 operator JFKIAT. “We are proud of the work we have done at T4 in the last several years to lead our industry in sustainable air terminal management, from our certification as the first existing airport terminal in the U.S. to earn LEED Platinum recognition, to the Green Restaurant Association awarding T4 the Greenest Airport Terminal Award, and more. We look forward to further partnering with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Delta Air Lines, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on this new initiative to further reduce our carbon footprint and drive resiliency in our operations at T4.”
“Investing in technology to reduce our climate impact within our ground operation is a vital part of Delta’s forward-thinking sustainability strategy,” said Amelia DeLuca, chief sustainability officer for Delta Air Lines. “That is why Delta is committed to electrifying ground support equipment (GSE) and working with partners to create the infrastructure necessary to accelerate the aviation industry’s decarbonization journey. We commend New York state for prioritizing modern, sustainable airports and look forward to our continued partnership.”
The eight MVS400 PosiCharge dual-port chargers have been installed at JFK’s Terminal 4, which is operated by JFKIAT and is home to Delta Air Lines. They will be utilized by Delta Air Lines’ newly converted electric ground support equipment and are compatible with other airport vehicles. The new ports will be an addition to the existing 84 charging ports across Terminal 4 for electric ground support equipment installed by JFKIAT in 2021.
Ground service equipment accounts for 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions at JFK, the equivalent of emissions produced from about 26,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles annually. The equipment electrification enabled by these chargers will prevent over 320 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the atmosphere annually, the equivalent of approximately 359,000 pounds of coal burned or 32,000 gallons of diesel consumed.
The chargers are funded through a grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, through money allocated from the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for state beneficiaries. Additionally, 16 Delta Air Lines electric ground support vehicles are partially funded through the grant.
JFK is also home to other projects as part of the Port Authority’s aggressive sustainability agenda. Construction recently began on New York state’s largest onsite solar plus storage project in long-term parking lot 9, which will provide electricity to AirTrain JFK and local communities. The airport will also be home to New York City’s largest rooftop solar array atop the New Terminal One.
NYPA has assisted with several other electrification and sustainability initiatives at JFK. In 2019, NYPA, in coordination with JetBlue, installed 120 chargers at JFK’s Terminal 5 for electric ground support equipment. Other NYPA-assisted projects at JFK include four chargers for airport shuttle buses and 10 EVolve NY fast chargers for ride share vehicles and the public in the west cell phone lot.
Other sustainability initiatives across Port Authority airports include a 5-megawatt solar parking canopy at Newark Liberty International Airport and a 1.5-megawatt rooftop solar array on LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B garage. Additionally, the agency is moving quickly to electrify its vehicle fleet. The light duty non-emergency vehicle fleet will be 50 percent electric by 2025, with a further target to make the entire fleet electric by 2028. The Port authority also operates 46 electric airport buses, the largest electric bus fleet of any U.S. airport system.
Funds from the Volkswagen Diesel Emissions Environmental Mitigation Trust for New Jersey were similarly used to install 64 dual-port electrical vehicle chargers for electric ground support equipment at Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A, in partnership with Terminal A’s operator, Munich Airport NJ LLC. These chargers, installed through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, are expected to be operational before the end of 2024.
