The Elephant® e-BETA Hybrid Aircraft Deicer

Many airports want to reduce emissions from ground support equipment but are not yet ready to rely entirely on charging infrastructure. The Elephant® e-BETA Hybrid is designed for this reality, allowing airports to operate electrically for much of the deicing process while always having the reassurance of an onboard diesel-powered generator when needed.

During normal deicing operations, electric motors power vehicle movements, spraying and low-speed manoeuvring around the aircraft, significantly reducing fuel consumption, local emissions and noise. The integrated hybrid system automatically provides the flexibility to recharge the battery while driving or whenever extended operation is required, ensuring the vehicle is always ready for the next aircraft.

Depending on the operation, the Elephant® e-BETA Hybrid can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 87% compared with a conventional diesel-powered deicer. Unlike a fully electric vehicle, the Elephant® e-BETA Hybrid is never dependent on immediate access to charging infrastructure. If additional operating time is required, the integrated generator recharges the battery while the vehicle continues to support deicing operations.

With a fully charged battery, the vehicle can deice approximately 10–15 aircraft, corresponding to around 4–5 hours of operation without running the chassis engine or connecting to external power. If pre-heated deicing fluid is available, the operation can be completed without using diesel for fluid heating. When onboard heating is required, the Elephant® e-BETA Hybrid features one of the market’s most efficient heating systems.