Since making its debut with Lufthansa LEOS at Frankfurt Airport last December, the PHOENIX E towbarless aircraft tractor has proven itself to be an efficient piece of kit that has exceeded expectations. The towbarless tractor is also in line with LEOS’ strategy for sustainable, zero-emission ground operations.

“Not only the drivers but also the mechanics in the hangar for example are excited about this vehicle,” said Peter Unger, CEO of Lufthansa LEOS. Referencing how the first three months of ground handling with Lufthansa LEOS have generated a mass of operational data with initial conclusions already drawing on the suitability of the Goldhofer electric tractor for everyday use, he added: “The results to date indicate savings in excess of what we had expected and planned.”

The flagship model of Goldhofer’s towbarless aircraft tractors, the PHOENIX E offers speeds of up to 25km/h for maintenance towing. It also has the versatility to handle the full range of today’s aircraft up to a maximum take-off weight (MOW) of 352 tonnes (for example a Boeing B777/ Airbus A350) – ie approximately 80% of all aircraft movements at the airport.

With its PHOENIX E model, Goldfer has succeeded in developing a battery-powered version that delivers the same performance as the equivalent diesel model. The zero-emission, sustainable-operation tow tractor boasts the same range of performance in terms of tractive power, maneuverability and reliability as the diesel version, and offers additional advantages such as lower operating costs and longer maintenance cycles. With its modular battery concept, the PHOENIX E has a battery capacity of 66-165kWh depending on operational requirements. A hybrid solution with a range extender powertrain is also available.

Thanks to its IonMaster technology – a highly efficient and powerful electric drive concept with 700 V lithium-ion batteries – the PHOENIX E works up to 10 hours a day and handles up to 20 tows without any loss of power. In addition the Thermal Management System (TMS), which is part of the IonMaster concept, maintains a constant battery temperature between +15 and +40°C for an up to 25% greater range and longer battery life. Meanwhile, the dedicated charging infrastructure allows for fast charging so that vehicles can complete their long working days without any loss of power.

Unger concluded: “The data available shows that we can perform more tows than assumed in the simulations. Our expectations have been exceeded by far and we are planning to acquire another PHOENIX E at the end of the year.”

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