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Electric mobility

The electric fleet on the apron is growing.

STR Electric Fleet

Stuttgart Airport saves around 1 million litres of fuel every year – thanks to the growing number of electric vehicles on the apron. They are replacing diesel models, reducing local emissions and improving air quality.

This has a positive impact on the environment – and creates a better working environment for everyone working at the airport. Compared to internal combustion engines, electric vehicles run more quietly and produce no exhaust fumes.

About the STR electric fleet

Airport ground transport, but electric

As early as 1991, Stuttgart Airport put its first hybrid baggage tractor into service – marking the start of a gradual transition to electric mobility.

Since then, our guiding principle has been: whenever cost-effectiveness, environmental sustainability and operational safety align, we opt for electric. Through various research projects, we have tested electric ground handling vehicles for their practical suitability. The results have shown us that, whilst it may sometimes be a matter of time, in principle all ground handling vehicles on the apron can be electrified.

Key milestones achieved

Since 2018, all passenger and baggage transport at Stuttgart Airport has been battery-powered and emission-free. The commissioning of the world’s first electric refuelling lorry in the 40 m³ class by refuelling service provider Skytanking marked another milestone in 2024. Thanks to targeted investments in electric mobility and stationary ground power, CO₂ emissions from the apron fleet have already been reduced by around 75 per cent between 2013 and the present day. Furthermore, the airport uses so-called HVO diesel in its vehicles that are not yet electrified, which further reduces emissions.

The next target is clear: by 2030, Stuttgart Airport aims to carry out all ground handling activities at the aircraft – from landing to take-off – in such a way that no_{CO₂ emissions} or exhaust fumes are produced on site. This target covers the operations of Flughafen Stuttgart GmbH and its subsidiary, Stuttgart Airport Ground Handling GmbH. To achieve this, all vehicles and equipment regularly used for ground handling operations there must become electric.

Extensive network of electric vehicle charging points at the airport

A significant proportion of Stuttgart Airport’s carbon footprint is caused by journeys to and from the airport by car. That is why we are taking action here too: with a steadily expanding network of electric charging points in our car parks, we are creating incentives for people to travel by electric vehicle.

Award for fully electric turnaround

In 2026, we were presented with the ACI Eco-Innovation Award in recognition of our progress in the electrification of apron operations. The award was presented to us by the industry association ACI Europe, which represents over 600 airports. The award recognises STR’s holistic approach to implementing the fully electric turnaround.

Projects already completed

Ground-based power supply via e-GPUs and stationary systems

By 2030, the entire apron fleet at Stuttgart Airport is set to be emission-free. A key component of this is the provision of stationary ground power to aircraft at remote stands.

Where structurally and economically feasible, the apron was fitted with permanently installed ground power systems by mid-2026. Where this could not be implemented, mobile, battery-powered E-GPUs (Electric Ground Power Units) are being used. Two of these E-GPUs have been in operation since the end of 2024, with a further six following in 2025.

Even before the project began, 38 parking positions on the north side were equipped with fixed systems. Compared with the previous diesel GPUs, the new systems – that is, E-GPUs and fixed installations – improve energy efficiency by around 80 per cent. They offer clear advantages: they are durable, quiet and produce no on-site emissions. This also ensures better working conditions on the apron.

Project period: 2025–2026

As part of a two-year project, we have fitted the remaining parking bays on the south side – including Cargo City – with fixed ground-based power supply systems.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) under the ‘ground power directive’ – with a total of 2.4 million euros.

Objectives:

Installation of a fixed power supply system with 400 Hz units on the southern apron
Procurement and commissioning of 6 e-GPUs

Funding scheme:

Funded by:

Federal Ministry
for Digital Affairs
and Transport

pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag

Funded by:

NOW GmbH
National Organisation
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology

NOW! website

Press release dated 26 September 2024

Clean ground power for the air cargo apron

Press release dated 26 September 2024

finalize! – The first fully electric refuelling lorry, further electric apron vehicles and the first battery storage systems

Stuttgart Airport is continuing to drive forward the transition of its apron fleet: following the conversion of all passenger coaches, baggage tractors and many ground handling vehicles to electric power, the next step was the electrification of the refuelling fleet and other heavy commercial vehicles.

The ‘finalize!’ project is part of the STRzero carbon strategy and marks the final major step towards achieving zero local emissions in apron traffic by 2030. By then, no vehicles powered by diesel or petrol are to remain part of the airport’s regular ground handling fleet.

As with the conversion of the passenger coaches, the airport was breaking new ground here – together with its partners Skytanking and the Institute for Power Electronics and Electric Drives (ISEA) at RWTH Aachen University. A fully electric refuelling lorry weighing around 52 tonnes poses particular challenges. Innovative solutions were therefore at the heart of this research and development project.

The ‘finalize!’ project is another important step towards a fully electric ground handling fleet at Stuttgart Airport. By 2022, 39 per cent of the apron fleet was already electric. By 2026, a total of 45 commercial vehicles had been integrated into the electric fleet as part of the project.

The airport is thus taking on a pioneering role – not only for other airports, but also for refuelling service providers and logistics companies.

Funding:
The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action supported the project with around 2.8 million euros. The total cost of the joint project amounts to around 5.9 million euros.