SUMMARY

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Airport Passenger Parking Facilities

Over the past decade, electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States have increased from around 100,000 in 2013 to more than one million in 2023. In turn, airports have installed charging stations to meet their customers’ needs, prepare for expected demand, and comply with local ordinances. In 2014, 37 airports were found to provide charging in some form at their airports. This synthesis effort found that at least 93 hub airports are offering EV charging in their passenger parking facilities. This rapid increase highlights a need to understand the state of the practice in terms of providing EV charging for passenger, or customer, use at airports. The changes in the electrified mobility space offer the opportunity to document challenges that remain as well as opportunities and innovative solutions to meet existing and future charging demand.

This synthesis documents the current experience with EV charging at airports, specifically within passenger parking facilities. Although the use of EVs and the need for charging equipment exists across the airport, publicly accessible charging is a unique use case that presents a different set of challenges than either employee parking or fleet charging facilities. Meeting the needs of airport passengers requires an understanding of typical parking times and, if EV charging is already installed, the ability to determine use patterns and potential needs. To assist airports, this synthesis documents the overall state of the practice and airport-reported lessons learned as well as providing information about charger types, locations, utility coordination and load management, funding and revenue issues, and safety.

This synthesis effort included a literature review, a survey, and interviews. Results from the survey and the interviews were developed into six case examples. The case examples included airports of various sizes from across the country and consist of three small-hub airports, one medium-hub airport, and two large-hub airports. The literature review involved a search of key transportation databases and a review of industry-leading reports, such as ACRP Synthesis 54: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Airport Parking Facilities. Using the results of the literature review, a set of survey questions was developed to address the following topics:

• EV Infrastructure at Airports
• Experience with EV Charging Installation
• Monitoring and Data Collection
• Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure
• Electrical Capacity, Utility Coordination, and Load Management
• Safety

The survey (provided as Appendix A) was sent to contacts at 123 hub airports in the United States. The survey had 37 responses, representing a response rate of 30%. From those responding to the survey, six airports were selected for more in-depth interviews. The

interview framework used the same broad categories as the survey but sought more detail about the interviewees’ experiences. The results of the interviews were used to develop case examples (provided herein as Appendix C) that provide information on current challenges and opportunities for airports installing EV charging equipment.

Understanding and meeting the needs of the airport passenger use case is a key topic and addresses questions about charging level, networking, and locations. Airports are in various stages of their EV planning, installation, and management and often do not know the effects of a specific charger or even a specific location until after installation. Pilot programs or trying out a charging solution can help airports gain the information and experience they need to develop these programs. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) used this approach and found it helpful in gaining the support of leadership and the facilities team who regularly work to install and maintain the equipment.

Although pilot programs are useful in the preliminary stages, it is important to consider the airport’s full EV charging infrastructure needs so as to coordinate and forecast effectively in terms of the expected load requirement and budgetary needs. Portland International Jetport (PWM) did not use a coordinated strategy at first and now has different charging equipment, of varying quality, throughout their facilities. Moving forward, PWM plans to establish a policy on equipment quality. In addition, the airport wants to ensure that charging infrastructure will meet future demands, both in terms of passengers and technology.

Technological aspects of charging equipment and management can present a challenge to airports. Out of the 13 responding to that question, 10 indicated that their airport had networked chargers, thereby allowing their airports to collect data and monitor the assets. The interviewed airports had mixed opinions on the value of the data at their current level of EV charging infrastructure. Smaller airports thought that the costs outweighed the benefits but saw a need for such data if they were to expand their EV charging infrastructure. The cost of software solutions and managing the chargers were referenced as challenges at the large-hub airports. The interoperability of the software solution and the specific needs across the airport were important to airport staff.

Data and networking relate to utility coordination needs and concerns over electrical capacity. Most airports do not see providing Level 2 chargers as an issue with respect to load management or capacity. However, San Francisco (SFO) and SLC noted that, as their needs increase, load management could be a concern. In addition, all the airports noted that their challenges with electrical capacity revolved around the need for fast chargers. Given that fast chargers do not typically fit with the longer-term parking use cases at the airports, EV charging for passengers can be provided within existing capacity; however, small-hub airports had to evaluate their electrical panels to ensure capacity. Electrical capacity assessments provide valuable information both before and after installing the first set of chargers; however, one airport noted that an assessment would only be undertaken with a large expansion of EV chargers. Understanding when to conduct an assessment, coordinating with the utility, and managing load considerations requires communication among airport staff across departments.

Airport staff are also critical to providing charging stations for passenger vehicles. Airport staff who have not typically been part of the airport parking experience may be involved in these discussions. Airports of all sizes noted that their in-house electricians are important to the success and continued operations of equipment and that charging infrastructure maintenance and/or installation is an additional duty their facilities teams are now covering. In the interviews for the case examples, only one of the six airports specifically discussed workforce challenges. However, as the number of chargers at an airport increases, so

does the importance of qualified and trained staff with the time to dedicate to maintaining equipment.

Staff training is important for safety because regular wear and tear can lead to safety and maintenance issues. Airports responding to the survey for this synthesis were following relevant codes and regulations—local, national, or both—and coordinating with their local fire departments to determine safety standards. Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is planning to use a lithium-ion battery fire as their disaster exercise to assess their response capabilities. Overall, limited training has been provided or recommended, but airports do ensure their electricians are qualified and trained to work with the equipment. One case example noted that the local fire department has been proactive in pursuing training opportunities related to EVs. Outside of safety, basic staff training on handling of the equipment can reduce the need for replacement parts or other maintenance.

Although staff training is important, airports also spoke of the importance of a network and reaching out to those who have more experience or who can answer questions related to EV charging. Such networking and outreach can help provide an understanding of what worked and what did not for another airport. Airports are often dealing with a unique set of circumstances, but sharing knowledge can help other airports avoid similar challenges.

Further research that would support airports in addressing the remaining questions and challenges in terms of EV charging at their passenger parking facilities include

• Guidance on key decision points for EV charging infrastructure, including charger type and availability, when to select a networked charging asset, and location choices. Information on forecasting required electrical capacity and understanding load management, especially as such forecasting relates to decisions around charging equipment, would also help airports plan effectively.
• A guide, for interested parties, outlining the various management structures for airport EV charging. This guide could also review structures for private management and determine the departments that need to be involved in key decision areas.
• Workforce analysis to understand the effect of adding degrees of EV charging capacity as well as the training needs and opportunities.
• A review of safety requirements when installing and managing EV charging equipment in various scenarios (e.g., surface lots versus parking garages).