The First Essential Step to Powering EV Fleets: Conducting a Comprehensive Power Assessment

When it comes to EV charging, airports find themselves in a unique and challenging position, straddling the worlds of public EV charging providers and fleet operators. Most have begun to add EV chargers for travelers—or at least begun planning to do so. At the same time, airports across the U.S are in the process of transitioning their ground transportation fleets of shuttle buses and service vehicles to electric vehicles. As air travel continues to be robust and sustainability pressures mount, airports are increasingly expected to support EV adoption by providing reliable charging infrastructure for travelers, staff, rental agencies, and shuttle services.

Demand is rising fast. A growing number of airports are planning to expand EV charging capacity in the next few years to accommodate electric rental fleets, personal EVs parked long-term, and electric ground transportation vehicles. For many, this shift reflects a clear mandate: begin preparing EV charging infrastructure now—or risk falling behind traveler expectations and regulatory momentum.

This push isn't driven solely by compliance, but also by practical and financial considerations: increased revenue opportunities, lower operating costs, and alignment with aggressive sustainability goals. But airport charging is complex—it’s not just about installing a few chargers in a parking lot. Supporting EVs at scale requires thoughtful planning around reliability, throughput, wayfinding, and integration with broader transportation systems. But most airports struggle to get off the ground.

First, several questions must be answered:  Do we have the power?  How much power do we need?  How much power are we currently using? Large scale EV charging loads can be staggering (they can often be multiples of a base building’s load) and require new dedicated utility services. Smaller EV additions can be added to the existing building infrastructure perhaps, but their loads can be large as well: 20-30% of base building load is very common.  So before jumping into installation, it’s essential to conduct a comprehensive power assessment.

This is a vital first step towards establishing realistic airport EV charging projects.

Understanding the Scope of a Power Assessment

The power assessment is not just about evaluating the charging stations’ anticipated energy demand; it requires a holistic view of all airport systems relying on electricity from the same source. Rarely do EV chargers operate independently. When it comes to powering EV fleets, the same electrical infrastructure will also provide power to terminals, service buildings, and various systems. Even in stand-alone parking facilities, there are other systems like lighting, elevators, parking technologies, and ventilation systems that require power. There are also emergency power requirements that need to be considered.

A proper power assessment revolves around analyzing the full spectrum of electrical demands across the entire airport and the power requirements of future improvements, whether they are EV or other. This means looking at all nearby buildings, infrastructure, and any other systems that draw electricity from the transformer that will also supply power for the EV charging stations. By understanding the full scope of energy consumption, airport administrators and planners can avoid potential roadblocks that could derail their plans.

The process begins with collecting and analyzing 12 months of historical electricity usage data. This provides a baseline for understanding current consumption patterns and peak demand periods. The next step is to estimate the additional energy load that will be introduced by the planned EV charging stations. A third step is evaluating the existing electrical infrastructure to establish its spare capacity for use by EV. A potential fourth step is considering adding new electrical services to buildings.  By combining these data points, airport administrators and planners can build a framework for their energy requirements, identifying any potential "blockers" that might prevent successful implementation.

This is where many airport charging projects fall off the rails. If the power assessment reveals that the existing transformer lacks sufficient capacity to handle both the current and anticipated future loads, airports may simply put their plans on hold for fear of the complexity and the additional cost associated with adding additional capacity. This reaction is understandable but unnecessary and counterproductive.

Transformer capacity issues can be resolved with proactive planning and collaboration with the local utility provider. Utilities often view these upgrades favorably because they result in increased electricity sales. In many cases, the utility will assume much of the cost of upgrading transformers, though the property owner will still be responsible for purchasing certain necessary equipment.

Working closely with an experienced EV consulting team that has strong relationships with the utility is essential in this phase. The team can facilitate discussions, advocate for necessary upgrades, and ensure that the utility provider understands the long-term benefits of the project. By demonstrating that increased power demand will be sustained over time, airports can increase the likelihood of the utility approving and investing in the necessary upgrades.

The power assessment can also serve as a catalyst for broader improvements to an organization's electrical infrastructure. For example, an outdated lighting system could be replaced with energy-efficient LED lighting, which not only provides better illumination but also reduces overall power consumption. Additionally, airports may explore the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, to supplement their electricity needs. By leveraging solar power, airports can offset some of the increased demand from EV charging stations, reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering long-term operational costs. Of course, adding renewable energy capabilities also aligns with the organizational values of airports that promote sustainability in their everyday operations. Another growing trend is for large power users to switch to primary metering, where they own the medium voltage to low voltage transformers themselves and get a primary voltage meter (typically between 4160-35kV) in order to get the substantially lower electrical rates typically offered by utility.

Developing a Long-Term Power Strategy

The insights gained from a thorough power assessment allow airport administrators and planners to develop a strategic plan for their electrical infrastructure. Instead of reacting to capacity limitations as a roadblock, they can proactively address power needs and incorporate upgrades that will serve them well into the future—for both EV charging and general airport requirements.

By understanding both current and future energy requirements, decision-makers can ensure that their EV charging initiative aligns with broader sustainability and operational goals. They can also future-proof their electrical systems, ensuring scalability as the demand for EV charging continues to grow.

In fact, this process may also present the perfect opportunity for airports to analyze and address their electric needs across their business complex. Your EV consulting team should also be able to help with planning for anticipated load requirements and building capacity across the airport campus, or for a building or terminal.

Adding EV charging stations is a significant but necessary step for meeting the day-to-day needs of EV-powered vehicles. In this process, conducting a comprehensive power assessment is absolutely essential. Skipping this crucial first step can lead to costly delays and preventable setbacks.

By evaluating current energy usage of all buildings and systems (not just EV charging), anticipating future needs, and working closely with utility providers, airport administrators and planners can ensure a smooth and successful implementation of EV charging infrastructure. Furthermore, this process often presents opportunities to upgrade other electrical systems, improving overall efficiency and sustainability. With the right approach, airports can turn potential obstacles into opportunities, paving the way for a seamless transition to electric mobility.