For Immediate Release
Dec. 20, 2022
Contact:
LAX Public Relations
(424) 646-5260
Los Angeles World Airports has taken delivery of its first Class 8 heavy-duty electric vehicle, a Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV).
(Los Angeles) Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is proud to announce the arrival of its first heavy-duty battery-electric vehicle, marking a significant step in the airport's transition to a fully electric fleet.
The Class 8 Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle (BEV) semi-style tractor will be used to move paving equipment, transport construction materials and pull other heavy equipment at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) worksites. LAWA is the first government entity to take delivery of a Nikola Tre BEV, which is part of the airport's ambitious plan to fully transition its vehicle fleet to all-electric. This also is the first zero-emission Class 8 tractor in the City of Los Angeles municipal fleet.
"By investing in the vehicles and charging infrastructure needed to support a fully electrified fleet, LAWA remains on the leading edge of sustainability and is laying the groundwork to achieve carbon neutrality from airport operations by 2045," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, LAWA. "This purchase not only helps to reduce our environmental impact, but it also demonstrates our commitment to innovation and the future of transportation."
The Nikola Tre BEV has a range of up to 330 miles on a single charge of its 733 kWh battery pack, and will use a new 75kW DC charging station being installed at LAX. The LAWA purchase qualified for a $120,000 rebate via the California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project. The truck is expected to have significantly reduced maintenance and fuel costs compared with a similarly equipped internal combustion unit.
“LAWA’s commitment to transition its fleet to fully electric is a direct reflection of the organization’s bold sustainability goals,” said Nikola President and CEO, Michael Lohscheller. “Nikola is proud to have our Nikola Tre battery-electric vehicle be the first Class 8 semi-truck to be added to the City of Los Angeles municipal fleet and play a role in their long-term sustainability goals.”
LAWA is committed to transitioning 100% of its sedan fleet to electric vehicles by 2031, and has adopted a zero-emission-first purchasing policy for other light-duty vehicles in its fleet of more than 1,100 vehicles. Currently, 41% of LAWA's fleet is powered by alternative fuel, including 120 electric vehicle sedans, 20 articulating electric airfield buses and the addition of the heavy-duty Nikola Tre BEV. Other fully electric vehicles currently in LAWA's fleet, or on order for delivery, include 26 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks, 10 Ford Mach E sedans, 32 new Class 4-8 trucks and up to 27 electric buses.
Click here for B-roll of the Nikola Tre BEV being delivered to LAWA.
LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served more than 87.5 million passengers in 2018 and offers an average of 700 daily nonstop flights to 109 cities in the U.S. and 1,281 weekly nonstop flights to 93 markets in 47 countries on 69 commercial airlines. LAX ranks 10th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.4 million tons of air cargo. LAX handled 707,883 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2018.
LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion; $966 million in state and local taxes; and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.
LAX was honored as having the “Best Overall Customer Service Program” by Airports Council International-North America; named the “Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms” by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 “Best of the U.S.’s Big Airports” (Wall Street Journal) and “Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an “Innovation Award” from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named a “Business Leader in Air Quality” by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.
For more information about LAX, please visit www.flyLAX.com or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport, and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
