CHAPTER 5

Summary of Findings

As more U.S. vehicle owners consider, and switch to, EVs, the importance of providing access to charging at airports is growing. Many airports have noted the trends and installed EV charging capacity in at least one of their parking facilities. This synthesis effort found that at least 93 out of a total of 145 (64%) hub airports in the United States provide access to charging for their customers. Installing charging has provided both an amenity for customers and helped airports work toward their environmental and sustainability goals.

The literature review uncovered information related to the different charging equipment, including charger levels and networked chargers as well as existing research on energy monitoring and optimization. However, most of the literature did not provide information specific to the airport use case, highlighting a gap in information available to airports. Despite this gap, airports are navigating the process of providing EV charging stations; these EV charging stations enable customers to fully charge or top up miles at the airport and can help ease concerns related to range anxiety.

Although more and more airports are installing chargers and developing experience with the process, challenges remain. The following are key questions for airports looking to install or increase their EV charging infrastructure:

• What type of charger? Whether to choose Level 1, 2, or 3 chargers and whether to use networked or non-networked chargers? The unique needs of airport customers can drive those decisions. Currently, most charging for passengers is Level 2.
• Where to locate chargers? Electrical capacity, customer preference, and safety affect these decisions.
• What are the total energy needs? Understanding and managing energy needs at the airport is a small piece of the charging puzzle at this stage, but airports believe that the importance will grow in the future.
• When, and how, to collect data? Data collection and monitoring demand helps to determine the energy requirements specific to charging equipment, but results in additional costs for the equipment and software.

The cost of investment in charging equipment remains an issue, but the availability of funding through public grant funding as well as utility incentives has reduced the overall burden on those installing charging infrastructure. Although funding is available, airports do support their EV charging through airport revenue, particularly parking revenue. Even if funding or incentives are used, the airport must still consider highly variable maintenance costs. Airports are still assessing how to factor in these costs to both capital improvement and operations and maintenance budgets; typically, airport parking facilities have not provided refueling options.

Given that airports have not typically provided EV charging, understanding safety requirements is also a new area. EVs, particularly EV batteries, present different safety challenges than

the typical ICE vehicles because of the use of lithium-ion batteries. Although rare, EV battery fires present additional hazards to parking facilities in that such fires burn longer and can release toxic chemicals. Airports are following national and local codes and standards regarding EVs, but these codes and standards are still developing. Understanding the different safety parameters (e.g., sprinkler system requirements or setbacks from other vehicles) is critical as airports install more charging. Coordination with fire departments and code compliance will be key to safe access to EV charging in the future, especially if airports provide charging near other refueling stations.

Although challenges remain, airports report positive experiences with their EV charging. Providing access to charging has improved customer satisfaction and helped advance environmental goals. Engaging staff and interested parties in the process is also key to the success of EV charging. Even though workforce challenges exist, airports have used their in-house electricians to install and maintain the assets. Because these efforts are often in addition to their normal job duties, buy-in from those departments is needed. Communication between leadership, finance, environmental/sustainability offices, and facility and parking management was cited as important to continued success. Reaching out to experienced and knowledgeable contacts (e.g., other airports, charging providers, or utility representatives) can help airports avoid common pitfalls and understand potential challenges. Overall, airports are building capacity to support EV charging needs, but as demands increase, airports will need more data and information to forecast into the future.

This synthesis provides an overview of the current experience with EV charging at airport passenger parking facilities, but further research is required to help airports fully understand their needs and navigate key decisions. Future research could consider the following:

• Comprehensive research of and guidance on EV charging equipment, including airport charging use cases for different parking facilities, tradeoffs associated with the different levels of chargers, when to select networked or non-networked chargers, the availability of charging equipment, and how this charging equipment applies to airport parking facilities. The guidance resulting from the research could address nuances associated with private-partner involvement (e.g., structuring of lease agreements or management contracts). A decision support tool could help airports answer critical questions in various stages of EV planning, installation, and management.
• A guide to clarify airport needs and how charging equipment can be managed effectively. An overview of the different entities and/or departments involved as well as key personnel to include in plans and decision-making would help establish policies and procedures for management. Such entities could include environmental or sustainability offices, facilities teams, and parking managers. Guidance could include the different data needs, use of that data, and the staff responsible for collecting and managing that data.
• Workforce analysis to understand key trends related to EVs and EV charging equipment as it relates to transportation. Airports noted workforce challenges, and the EV industry needs more technicians and training to support re-skilling and upskilling. An overview of workforce constraints and how transportation agencies are managing those constraints could prove useful as airports build their electrification efforts. This effort could support other transportation agencies, such as transit providers and state DOTs managing EV fleets.
• Research on the availability of EV charging at third-party or off-site parking facilities to understand the use case, management, and revenue considerations. Airports do not typically provide fueling infrastructure for airport customers. To avoid costs and potential risks, third-party parking facilities could provide this amenity. Research could review the availability of EV charging at these types of facilities and the revenue or business model associated with the charging infrastructure.

• Research on safety and security issues related to electrification and EV charging infrastructure at airports. Research could consider both landside and airside charging infrastructure and the different entities that need to be coordinated with as well as how to navigate different standards. Cybersecurity concerns about networked chargers could also be addressed. An overview of the different training options, how applicable these are to the airport environment, and case examples that highlight practices or standards that have surpassed the national minimums would also be useful.