A Forecast Model to determine the Potential for Fuel savings through Electric Taxiing at Airports

Abstract

This study investigates the potential benefit achieved in terms of fuel savings through Electric Taxiing. It focusses on the airport, namely on the taxi processes, i.e. the time the aircraft is moving from the runway to the parking position (taxi-in) and from the parking position to the departure runway (taxi-out). By making use of technologies that enable Electric Taxiing, the aircraft is moved by an electric motor which is installed in the hub of the nose wheel or alternatively in the main landing gear bogies. To forecast the potential for fuel savings, models for air traffic growth, aircraft ground fuel consumption and the development of taxi times at specific airports are applied. The introduction of new aircraft types is also simulated and taken into account. Results are presented for various scenarios, which differ by the assumptions on future market penetration of electric taxiing technology.