Story ID: 
Harrods Goes All-electric On Customer Transport
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: London FBO operator Harrods Aviation has completed the transition of its passenger ground transport fleet to all electric vehicles.
Word Count: 206
London-area FBO operator Harrods Aviation has completed the transition of its passenger vehicle fleet to all-electric power. The company, which operates at Stansted and Luton airports, noted that its new Mercedes-Benz vans are quieter and more efficient than its previous conventionally powered vehicles and provide increased comfort, as well as reduced operating costs. An added benefit is the reduction of exhaust emissions at its facilities.
“Due to the nature of our business, our primary airside vehicles perform a lot of short journeys,” explained Dan Holian, Harrods's director of operations. “The latest EV technology is the perfect solution to support these operational needs.”
The move is part of the company’s goal of reducing its overall carbon emissions. Its operations department is still in the process of electrifying its ground service equipment, with about 65 percent switched over thus far.
A company spokesperson told AIN that all of its towbar-less aircraft tractors are electric, along with its baggage tractors and conveyor belt loaders and a six-seat golf buggy. She noted that the large pushback tractors at Stansted, as well as the fuel tankers, are still diesel-powered, but as technology evolves Harrods intend to also transition these to electric.