Daimler Truck and Esterer have developed a unique aircraft refuelling vehicle. It is the first refuelling vehicle based on a production electric Daimler Truck and the first all-electric refuelling vehicle in this class at Stuttgart Airport.
The elimination of the diesel engine means no CO2 and particulate emissions during operation and also reduces noise and heat generation.
The low-floor truck, with an overall height of less than 2.80 metres, can easily pass under the wings of the aircraft. This allows technicians to be directly underneath the aircraft's tank inside the wing while the aircraft is being refuelled.
Among the interesting features of the refuelling Mercedes-Benz eEconic are the heated windscreen and the floor-to-ceiling glazed door on the passenger side. This design is intended to further enhance the driver's visibility.
The tank can hold up to 40,000 litres of aviation fuel. The pumps are powered directly from the vehicle's battery. The total length of the vehicle is 18.5 metres. The developers claim that the battery charge is enough for a full day of servicing aircraft.
At a flow rate of 1,500 litres per minute, a typical charter aircraft can be fully refuelled in less than 20 minutes, although this is rarely necessary as aircraft tanks are usually neither completely empty nor - for weight reasons - completely full.
Daimler Truck and Esterer use a common user interface to display all relevant information, such as battery level, remaining range, tank fill level and energy consumption, on a display in the driver's cab.
The electric truck has two engines with a combined output of 330 kW (448 hp). The capacity of the battery pack is not disclosed, it is only noted that it can be charged with up to 160 kW. The car also has an energy recovery system for braking.
Stuttgart Airport has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2040. By 2030, all aircraft handling must be climate-neutral. Most of the loading and unloading fleet as well as all passenger buses and baggage tractors have already been converted to electric traction. The airport is currently focusing on the electrification of the refuelling fleet.
Source: Daimler Truck
