The New Terminal One at New York’s JFK International Airport has been widely celebrated for its mid-century modern aesthetic and 2.4 million square feet of LEED Silver certified enclosed space. But now, there’s another sustainability milestone to celebrate at the new terminal: it will boast the world’s first, fully electric fleet of ground handling equipment.
With the short distances driven at limited speeds under extreme loads, ground handling and support equipment (GHE/GSE) at airports present a nearly ideal use case for battery-electric vehicles. That’s a good thing, too. As demand for on-road fossil fuels drops, airports and airlines – historically responsible for about 4% Earth’s global warming – are becoming a bigger and bigger slice of a rapidly shrinking pie when it comes to fossil fuel emissions.
To that end, JFK Terminal One management has selected the ground handling specialists at TCR to provide the new terminal with an all-electric GHE fleet at the new JFK international gateway that’s currently set to open in 2026.
Electric ground support at JFK Terminal One
The New York Port Authority insists that operating a fully electric GHE/GSE fleet through an innovative resource pooling model is a key component of the New Terminal One’s continuing sustainability strategy. The decision to choose zero emission battery-electric vehicles supports the Port Authority’s stated goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions across the agency’s operations by 2050.
That pooling approach will also make it easier for ground handlers to participate in a competitive bid to operate at the New Terminal One, as bidders will only need to provide manpower to operate the GHE, without having to purchase or maintain their own.
TCR’s all-electric GSE fleet will also integrate advanced telematics fleet management technology, providing real-time vehicle and battery health data to enhance the broader fleet’s operational efficiency, charging logistics, and decision-making.
The new ZEV equipment from TCR further promises to:
- Reduce emissions: An all-electric fleet eliminates tailpipe emissions, improving air quality
- Provide cost efficiency gains: A shared electric GSE fleet minimizes equipment redundancies and helps reduce costs
- Ensure energy savings: Electric GSE reduces overall energy consumption
The achievement isn’t just exciting for the people who live and work near the airport – it’s exciting for TCR, too. “Extending our presence in North America marks a significant milestone for our organization,” says Stephanie Rajzbaum, TCR Managing Director North America. “We are excited to collaborate with local communities and partners, fostering a diverse workplace and creating about 50 local jobs, including roles for electric GSE maintenance technicians contributing to the success of New Terminal One.”
TCR says it remains committed to the Port Authority’s previously stated targets for participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE/LBE), and working with third party logistics (3PL) providers.
Electrek’s Take
I have a lot of opinions about the Trump Administration and DOGE, but one thing I absolutely can’t get behind is the demonization of DEI initiatives. I am a firm believer in the fact that diversity breeds new perspectives, and that those perspectives have intrinsic value. So, when the New York Port Authority and TCR double down on their support for participation by Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE/LBE), I feel compelled to celebrate that.
The fact that GHE like refueling trucks, baggage handlers, and airplane tugs are just kind of fun and interesting on their own is a bonus.
SOURCES | IMAGES: TCR, JFKTerminalOne.
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