Green Taxi, Inc will continue the development of its Electric Green Taxi System, which can reduce carbon emissions during taxi by up to 85 %.

Electric Green Taxi Systems (EGTS) allow aircraft to pushback and taxi without using their main engines. Instead, electric motors are installed on the landing gear wheels, which can move the aircraft forward or backward at speeds of up to 23 mph (37 km/h). The motors are powered by the aircraft’s auxiliary power unit (APU).

With taxi times becoming longer than ever at some airports, the use of EGTS can provide significant fuel savings for airlines, resulting in both financial and environmental benefits. The technology has so far received support from several airlines, including Air France and GoAir.

The idea was originally announced at the Paris Air Show in 2011 as a joint venture between L3 Technologies, Honeywell, and Safran. 11 years later, the patent for the technology, as well as several key team members, has now been acquired by Green Taxi, Inc.

Based in Dallas, Texas, Green Taxi, Inc, has declared that it will continue to develop the technology, and according to the company, “several major airlines are pursuing in-depth discussions with GTI to bring this technology to their fleets to benefit from the economic, operational and environmental viability of the system.”

Green Taxi, Inc president and founder, David Valaer, stated,

“Green Taxi-equipped jetliners will save significant costs on reduced ground time apart from the fuel savings. Other benefits include extended engine life, enhanced ground crew safety, and reduced noise at the airport.”

Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of EGTS…

It is common practice nowadays for aircraft to use only one engine when taxiing, in order to reduce fuel wastage. The Electric Green Taxi System is not the only new technology that can reduce fuel wastage during taxi.

Earlier this year, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport purchased two TaxiBots, following a trial that began in 2020 with several airlines, including KLM, Corendon Airlines, and Transavia. TaxiBot is a hybrid towing vehicle that moves the aircraft with the engines switched off, reducing carbon emissions during taxi by up to 85 %. In recent months, AirAsia India has also started to trial TaxiBot.

As airlines continue to face both financial challenges and ambitious sustainability goals, exploring alternative taxi methods has never been more crucial. There is significant demand from airlines for this type of technology, so now it is up to companies such as Green Taxi, Inc to make their use more widespread.

What do you think of Green Taxi, Inc’s EGTS? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

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Steven has a varied background in communications, and it was this passion for writing combined with his in-depth knowledge of the aviation industry that led him to Simple Flying. A keen linguist, he also has experience in translation and interpreting. Based in Palma, Spain