Heathrow has signed a new partnership with global rental company Hertz incorporating its car sharing technology Hertz on Demand.

This has already resulted in a 25% reduction in the standard car fleet allocated for employee use.

Hertz provides Heathrow with a dedicated fleet of low emission Ford Fiesta’s for use as pool cars.

The deals include a “make your own” package which has features like full servicing, valets and checks, all tailored to meet individual company’s needs.

“By using Hertz on Demand, it has showed us that we can be smarter in how we use our vehicles. The savings speak for themselves,” says Cavinder.

The company recently trialled hydrogen technology, part of the company’s push to become greener (see panel below).

However, Cavinder admits that the technology is not suiting the type of work required in an airport.

“The trial hasn’t been as successful for us as we had hoped because of the unique driving situation we have here at Heathrow,” he says.

Looking to the future, Heathrow is continuing to work at improving overall efficiencies, including installing tracking into all vehicles.

“Making sure the fleet is as efficient as possible has to be a top priority,” says Cavinder. “Otherwise how can we expect to keep growing?”

'The trial hasn't been as successful as we'd hoped'

BAA is one of the first organisations to launch a serious trial of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles at its Heathrow airport.

The decision followed a report by Element Energy and was intended to mitigate some of BAA’s carbon and NOx emissions.

It is tasked by Government with reducing Heathrow-controlled CO2 emissions by 34% by 2020; in addition, vehicles contribute 37% of total airside/landside ground NOx emissions.

The study looked at the range of options using hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The most attractive options from a total cost of ownership perspective included taxis and baggage tugs for operators presently using electric vehicles. Longer-term, beyond 2020, vans are expected to become a viable option.

Element Energy recommended a three-tiered strategy:
1. Create a supportive environment for hydrogen Low cost, involving allocating land for fuelling stations and tightening
emissions regulations for new vehicles.
2. Support third-party hydrogen projects Also low cost, involving supporting activities of Heathrow operators and engaging with manufacturers looking to set up site trials.
3. Consider BAA-led hydrogen vehicle trials Costly, although a bid for national funding was recommended. Subsequently, London Hydrogen Partnership agreed to part-fund the investment.

The analysis of the numerous vehicle tyres in use at Heathrow airport, both landside and airside, produced a shortlist of six vehicle types for further analysis:
1. Push-back tugs

2. Baggage tugs

3. Fork lifts

4. Taxis

5. Buses

6. Vans

So far, however, the success of the trials has been muted.

Steve Cavinder says it “hasn’t been as successul as we’d hoped because of the unique driving situation we have here at Heathrow”.

This includes the low usage patterns which limit the economic efficacy of hydrogen and the refuelling infrastructure of multi-charging points for baggage tugs.

The report, in summary, added: “For vehicles to become truly competitive, a hydrogen price of €5/kg (£4.30/kg) is required. A price this low requires a well-utilised fuelling station with at least 20 vehicle fills per day.”

Factfile

Company name BAA
Transport manager Stephen Cavinder
Time in role three years (24 years at Heathrow)
Fleet size 480 vehicles (Heathrow only)
Funding method 63% owned, 37% leased
Number of drivers 1,300
Airfield safety vehicles 20
Snow/equipment vehicles 151
Electric vehicles 40
Municipal type vehicles 40
Engineering vehicles and people movers (minibuses etc) 49