John F. Kennedy International Airport’s coming Terminal 6 will use an entirely electric ground fleet, officials with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced this week.
JFK Millennium Partners, the company selected to build and operate Terminal 6, said it has partnered with Long Island-based Fortbrand Services to manage the terminal’s future all-electric ground crew in a pooled setup, meaning it will be shared among airlines. This will make JFK the first airport in North America with a terminal with entirely electric ground equipment.
Port Authority leaders said each of Terminal 6’s gates will have its own set of vehicles and equipment, with charging stations nearby to keep the fleet operating continuously. Specialized software will communicate the equipment’s real-time location, battery life, authorized drivers, speed controls, and other data to JMP and Fortbrand to ensure it is being used efficiently and safely.
The Port Authority has pledged to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and as part of that effort is replacing diesel ground equipment with electric fleets at JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The all-electric support fleet at Terminal 6 alone is expected to eliminate around 2,500 metric tons of carbon emissions annually, officials said.
“Two years ago, when the Port Authority launched its ambitious goal of net-zero emissions, we understood that success would require tapping new technology, including electric ground support equipment,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “It’s fitting that our new airline terminals designed to be among the best in the world will also be leaders in our drive to reduce the agency’s carbon footprint.”
The Port Authority broke ground on the new, $4.2 billion Terminal 6 in 2023 and aims to have it partially open by 2026 and completed by 2028. It will have 10 gates, nine of which will accommodate widebody aircraft, as well as an automated baggage system, a ground transportation center, and multiple airline lounges.
Other green enhancements planned for the terminal include 4,000 solar panels and a stormwater capture and reuse system.
