US Airports Begin Installing eVTOL and Electric GSE Chargers

The Charleston West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) is positioning itself as an early leader in the emerging world of electric aviation. On December 7, 2025, Metro News WV reported that the CRW Authority Board has approved an agreement with BETA Technologies to install both an electric aircraft charging station for eVTOLs and an EV charging station on the grounds of Marshall University’s Bill Noe Flight School.

eVTOL aircraft, or electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles, rise straight up, hover, and land vertically using battery-electric propulsion. While much of the technology is still in development, airports across the country are preparing for their arrival, and CRW wants to be part of the first wave.

“They are the future of aviation,” said CRW chief marketing officer Paige Withrow. “We’re seeing a lot of these pop up around the industry, so we’re excited to potentially bring some of these to CRW.”

Withrow says installing charging infrastructure now gives West Virginia a strategic advantage. Networks of eVTOL chargers are mapped much like today’s EV networks, allowing aircraft operators to plan routes around available stations. With CRW on the map, operators will have a reason to stop, recharge, and integrate the airport into future logistics and passenger routes.

For now, most early use cases focus on delivery. UPS has already announced plans to purchase electric aircraft from BETA, and the company expects autonomous flight testing to begin early next year. FedEx and other carriers are also exploring small cargo applications. But passenger transport is not far behind.

“They are moving into moving people,” Withrow noted. She sees a future where eVTOLs shuttle small groups on short hop flights, such as taking travelers from CRW to the New River Gorge and back, opening new tourism and mobility opportunities for the state. “It’s a really neat model and something that could be huge for West Virginia,” she said.

US Airports Begin Installing eVTOL and Electric Ground Support Equipment (GSE) Chargers

The West Virginia International Yeager Airport isn’t the first to install eVTOL charging. While full scale eVTOL networks are still taking shape, a growing number of US airports and Fixed Base Operators are already preparing for electric aviation and electric ground support equipment (GSE). Several facilities have installed the first wave of dedicated charging systems for electric aircraft, led largely by Beta Technologies and key FBO partners. These early deployments support eVTOLs and airport ground support equipment, marking an important shift in how airports plan for advanced air mobility.

Florida is currently one of the most active regions, with chargers installed at Tallahassee, Gainesville, and Bob Sikes airports. Michigan has also become a key testbed, with installations at Capital Region, Traverse City, Holland, and Willow Run. Other locations include Raleigh Executive Jetport in North Carolina, Elmira Regional Airport in New York, and Westfield Barnes Regional Airport in Massachusetts. These early sites serve as proof of concept that electric aviation infrastructure can be deployed reliably and integrated into existing airport operations.

Beta Technologies is building one of the largest emerging networks, partnering with FBOs such as Atlantic Aviation and expanding across Florida and Michigan, including military sites like Eglin Air Force Base. Archer Aviation and Signature Flight Support are focusing on major hubs, with plans for vertiport charging at Newark and Chicago O’Hare. Joby Aviation is deepening its footprint in California through a partnership with Clay Lacy Aviation, which plans to bring electric aircraft charging to its John Wayne Airport facility. Avfuel is also rolling out chargers at select partner FBOs, including Akron Canton.

Leading Companies Involved in the Exciting Electric Future for Ground Support Equipment Include Colibri Energy and Shire

Electric ground support equipment is one of many ways vehicles that handle a wide variety of applications can save companies money, while reaching environmental goals.

Colibri Energy GmbH has become a standout force in advanced energy storage, building lithium-ion battery systems that are redefining performance and sustainability in industrial applications, particularly in the field of Ground Service Equipment (GSE) vehicles.

At the core of the company’s mission is innovation. Colibri’s battery systems are engineered for long service life, high energy efficiency, and consistent performance even under demanding conditions. This combination allows customers to improve productivity, reduce maintenance, and significantly cut operating costs.

Sustainability is equally central to Colibri’s approach. By replacing diesel-powered and lead-acid equipment with modern lithium-ion solutions, companies can lower emissions, reduce noise, and create safer working environments. Colibri Energy has emerged as a key partner for airports and logistics hubs transitioning to electric baggage tractors, belt loaders, cargo tugs, and other GSE.

Through close collaboration with customers and partners, Colibri delivers battery systems tailored to specific operational needs. Each solution is designed to maximize uptime, simplify integration, and provide the power and durability required in daily fleet operations.

As airports and industrial operators worldwide push toward decarbonization, Colibri Energy is helping lead the shift, with quality, reliability, and true sustainability. Contact the company at www.colibri-energy.com.

Shire Has Introduced Its First Range of Purpose-Built Electric GSE Tractors

M-ECS’s aviation brand Shire has introduced its first range of purpose-built electric tractors designed for baggage and cargo operations, marking a major step toward decarbonizing airport ground handling.

According to Shire, its tractors are “electric by nature and smart by design.” Operators can integrate advanced digital options such as real-time monitoring of energy use and performance, predictive diagnostics to prevent failures and reduce downtime, and modular upgrades for future features. Among these is a proprietary collision detection and avoidance system currently being developed in-house.

“Ground handling is a tough environment,” said Gerd van Damme, Sales Director at Shire. “If you don’t design equipment with the operator’s economic and practical reality in mind, the solutions will never last.”

Founded in 2022, Shire operates as the aviation division of M-ECS (Mertens Electrification & Control Systems), a Belgian engineering company known for its expertise in automation, electrification, and smart system design. With this launch, Shire positions itself at the forefront of sustainable ground handling innovation, offering airports and service providers a reliable path toward cleaner, smarter operations.