BP Air, SEA Electric and Refuel International have collaborated on the next generation of an electric refuelling truck to service Brisbane Airport's Jet-A1.
Air BP, the international aviation fuel products and services supplier, has introduced a next generation new model all-electric refueller for customers lifting Jet-A1 at Brisbane Airport.
The refueller was put into operation on August 30 last year at Brisbane Airport. Attending on the day was federal transport minister Catherine King, who spoke more broadly about decarbonising the aviation sector.
The refueller uses Lithium-Ion batteries and digital charging mechanisms making it the first all-electric hazardous goods vehicle and refueller approved for use in Australia.
The refueller can carry approximately 16,000 litres of fuel and has been designed to operate for a full day with overnight charging. Air BP also anticipates that the electric refueller will reduce BP’s operation and maintenance costs when compared with similar diesel-fuelled refuellers.
The refueller was manufactured in collaboration with SEA Electric and Refuel International, the latter a global manufacturer and supplier of specialised refuelling vehicles, equipment and support services to the aviation industry.
“Air BP has been collaborating with SEA and Refuel International for two years on the custom-designed and specialised electric refueller to meet exacting performance and safety requirements,” Air BP Asia Pacific managing director Daniel Tyzack says.
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“We are delighted to launch the refueller at Brisbane Airport where we are responsible for fuelling 30 airlines and approximately 100 flights daily. Our work reflects BP’s ambition to become a net zero company by 2050 or sooner and to help the world get to net zero by working with our customers to help decarbonise fuelling operations.”
This announcement builds on Air bp’s experience in launching the world’s first electric refueller in 2002 at Long Beach California and its introduction of the first generation of electric hydrant dispensers at Brisbane Airport in 2005, which are still in operation at Darwin and Perth airports.
This reinforces Air BP’s commitment to its carbon reduction plan, including global carbon neutral accreditation for Air BP’s refuelling activities across its operated sites and is also proudly certified under the federal government’s Climate Active program.
Over time, it is Air BP’s intention to introduce the refueller at other Air BP operated sites.