London Gatwick Airport is taking a significant leap towards zero-emission ground transport by awarding a major contract to Irizar e-mobility for its fully electric ie tram buses. This marks the first deployment of completely electric buses at the airport, setting a precedent for sustainable airport shuttle services in the UK.
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| Irizar e-mobility |
The contract will see 14 of Irizar’s iconic ie tram models, each 18 metres long, introduced to shuttle passengers from Gatwick’s long-stay car parks to the terminals. These articulated buses, offer high passenger capacity combined with better manoeuvrability than traditional single-deck buses. Designed specifically with airport needs in mind, the ie trams feature spacious interiors, easy step-free boarding and dedicated luggage racks to enhance passenger convenience.
A standout feature of these vehicles is their ultra-fast pantograph charging capability. This system involves an overhead connector that automatically drops onto the bus roof to deliver a rapid, high-powered charge, enabling each bus to achieve a full battery recharge in under six minutes. This rapid turnaround capability means the fleet can operate virtually non-stop, drastically reducing downtime compared to conventional electric charging methods.
Safety and visibility are also being prioritised through the adoption of digital vision camera systems. These innovative camera setups replace traditional mirrors, giving drivers enhanced front, side, and rear visibility, critical for safe operations in the busy airport environment.
The deployment at Gatwick underscores Irizar’s growing presence in the UK, where more than 50 electric buses from the company already serve multiple cities, including London. For Gatwick, these electric buses align with its ambitious sustainability goals, particularly the airport’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 as part of its broader £2 billion sustainable growth strategy.
Gatwick, the UK’s second-largest airport, currently serves around 43 million passengers annually and stands out as the most efficient single-runway airport globally, managing up to 55 aircraft movements per hour. Its strategic location, just 28 miles south of central London, makes it a critical hub, accessible to more than 15 million people within an hour by road or rail.
With this move, Gatwick not only sets a benchmark for other airports but also reinforces the operational and environmental benefits of transitioning to battery-electric buses. For transport professionals, this case demonstrates a practical model of integrating advanced electric buses into demanding, high-frequency shuttle services, highlighting both efficiency and sustainability at scale.
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