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Airports across Europe are intensifying their efforts to decarbonise operations and meet Net Zero commitments. Introducing Zero-Emission Ground Support in BENELUX & France, movement toward sustainable aviation is accelerating—and airports are now looking for practical, high-impact ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions where they can make the biggest immediate difference: on the ground.
What airports need today are zero-emission vehicles engineered for aviation, backed by specialists who understand the apron environment, battery performance, and the realities of daily operations. This is where Group CéSAR and Electra Commercial Vehicles are reshaping the future of airport sustainability.
As the exclusive distributor of Electra’s airside electric vehicles (EVs) across BENELUX and France, delivering the heavy-duty electric vehicle (HDEV) platforms that modern airports urgently need, we are introducing a new class of ground support equipment designed specifically for airports. This helps airports achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) targets, cut emissions, reduce noise, and enhance operational reliability while meeting their sustainability goals.
The Shift Toward Airside Electrification
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) is a major contributor to airport CO₂ emissions due to diesel idling, short repetitive movements, and 24/7 operational cycles.
Electrifying these fleets delivers immediate benefits:
- Significant CO₂ and NOx reduction
- Lower noise around aircraft
- Reduced fuel costs
- Improved reliability
- Faster alignment with Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) standards
Airports in BENELUX and France now have access to a trusted pathway for this transition—through Group CéSAR’s exclusive partnership with Electra.
Why Electra? Purpose-Built EV Platforms for Demanding Airside Work
Electra platforms are engineered specifically for challenging commercial environments. Unlike generic EV conversions, Electra’s chassis is built to power heavy-duty, mission-critical airport vehicles where reliability is non-negotiable, supporting sustainable mobility in the aviation sector.
Introducing Electra’s Airside Electric Vehicle Line
With Group CéSAR, airports now have access to a full portfolio of Electra-powered airside ground support equipment, including:
🪜 Boarding Stairs Smooth, silent, emission-free movement enhances passenger experience at the gate.
🥤 Catering Trucks / Cabin Services High-capacity battery systems ideal for multi-stop apron operations.
📦 Container Loaders / Transporters Zero-emission loaders supporting cargo and baggage operations with strong torque.
🔥 Deicers Electra’s power architecture supports pumping, heating, and spraying systems reliably in winter operations.
⛽ Fuel Trucks / Electric Refuellers A proven success story: Air BP’s electric refueller, operating on Electra’s platform and serviced by Group CéSAR’s service network.
❄️ Glycol Recovery Vehicles Consistent suction and recovery performance—without diesel idling.
🧯 Emergency Support Vehicles Customisable EV platforms for safety and response teams.
🚿 Water Service & Lavatory Trucks Perfect for repetitive gate operations with predictable routes.
Additional Ground Support Equipment:
- Belt loaders
- Pushback tractors
- Cargo tugs
- Potable water trucks
- Pre-conditioned air units
Together, these vehicles represent a realistic, scalable, and future-ready path toward zero-emission airside operations and improved environmental stewardship.
Group CéSAR: Your Mobile Service & Support Partner
Technology matters—but support is what keeps vehicles operational. This is where Group CéSAR stands out.
We provide full mobile technical support for any GSE manufacturer building on Electra’s chassis. Our technicians undergo official EV diagnostic and systems training directly at Electra’s facilities, giving us unmatched insight into:
- Battery systems
- High-voltage safety
- Powertrain diagnostics
- Vehicle integration for GSE applications
- Software and control systems
Whether an airport uses electric boarding stairs, electric refuellers, transporters, or lavatory service EVs, Group CéSAR delivers:
- Preventive and corrective maintenance
- On-site mobile service
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Lifecycle support
- Warranty assistance
- Upgrades and system optimisation
This ensures airports enjoy true vehicle uptime, not just vehicle delivery, while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Spotlight: The Air BP Electric Refueller
A real-world example of innovation in action:
An Air BP electric aircraft refueller recently arrived at the ARC NV facility for scheduled maintenance, built on Electra’s heavy-duty EV platform, and recently entered scheduled service support through Group CéSAR’s mobile team – a perfect example of how legacy and innovation come together under one roof.
This vehicle demonstrates:
- 🔋 Zero-emission refuelling capability
- 🔧 Aviation-grade reliability
- 🌡 Thermal performance in high-temperature climates
- 🌍 Significant CO₂ reductions compared to diesel units
Most importantly, it proves one thing clearly:
Electric ground support equipment is no longer a concept—it’s operating on the apron today.
Why Electrifying the Airside Matters
Replacing just one diesel service vehicle can eliminate thousands of kilograms of CO₂ every year. Electrifying ground support brings immediate advantages:
✔ Immediate CO₂ reduction with each vehicle replaced
✔ Lower operating costs over the vehicle’s lifetime
✔ Reduced apron noise, improving working conditions
✔ No idling emissions, especially during gate operations
✔ Compliance with ACA Level 3+, 4, and Net Zero pathways
✔ Better reliability thanks to fewer moving parts
In other words, electrification is no longer an option—it’s a strategic operational advantage for reducing the overall carbon footprint of airports.
Group CéSAR: Your Partner for a Smarter, Cleaner Airside
Our mission at Group CéSAR is simple: Support the aviation industry with solutions that combine operational excellence and environmental responsibility. We are building the ecosystem airports need to confidently transition their fleets:
- Zero-emission airside vehicles
- Local technical and mobile service teams
- EV-diagnostic certified technicians
- Aviation-specific engineering expertise
- End-to-end lifecycle support
Together, we are delivering the reliability aviation demands with the sustainability the industry expects, supporting airports’ climate action plans.
The Future of Airside Operations Has Already Arrived
Decarbonising ground operations is no longer an ambition—it is an immediate opportunity. Airports that take the first step today in adopting electric ground handling solutions will lead tomorrow’s sustainable aviation landscape.
Group CéSAR is proud to guide that journey. Because in aviation, sustainability only matters when reliability comes first. Our commitment to environmental stewardship extends to exploring future technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and renewable energy sources for powering ground support equipment.
Want to learn more or request a technical consultation?
