Tampa International to add Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

(May 20, 2015) - Tampa International Airport is poised to significantly expand the number of electric vehicle charging stations across its campus as part of the Airport’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Later this summer, Tampa International will increase the number of electric vehicle charging stations from three to 15, allowing as many as 18 electric vehicles to charge simultaneously. Currently, the airport can charge only six vehicles at a time at stations located in the cell phone waiting lot and valet parking areas. Plans call for installing four units each in the Short Term, Long Term and Economy Parking Garages.EV charging station design

 “We recognize that the popularity of electric vehicles is growing, and we want to support that,” said Paul Ridgeway, the Airport’s director of maintenance, who is overseeing the project. “These new stations will accommodate the desire of the passengers using these vehicles to recharge while they are here.”

Electric vehicle drivers will get some of the choicest parking spots in each of the garages. The stations in the Long Term Parking Garage will be located on the second floor near the walkways to the main terminal, while the economy parking stations will be located on the first floor.

“If you drive an electric vehicle, you can actually park in some of the most convenient locations within each garage,” Ridgeway said.

The addition of more EV charging stations is part of the airport’s sustainability program, and just one of a number of environmentally-friendly initiatives in the works at Tampa International.

In September 2014, TPA announced an agreement with Tampa Electric Co. to install a canopy of solar panels on the top floor of the Airport’s south Economy Parking Garage. With enough electricity to power 250 homes, the project represents Tampa Electric’s largest solar photovoltaic installation and the Airport’s first use of this alternative energy source. Construction is expected to begin in June, with a target completion date of December 2015.

In addition, the Airport is looking into bolstering its fleet of alternative fuel vehicles, with a goal of having more than 70 percent of the fleet run on alternative fuel by 2021.

Sustainability is also a major component for the contractors working on the Airport’s historic $952 million expansion.

The new rental car center will use high efficiency restroom fixtures, LED lighting and daylight sensors that will shut the lights off when they’re not needed. The Main Terminal expansion features high-efficiency glass walls, greater natural light and uses locally sourced building materials. The Taxiway J reconstruction project is recycling large amounts of material. To date, crews have recycled 343 tons of asphalt and roughly 1,300 tons of concrete.

All of these efforts fall within the scope of the Airport’s sustainability program, known as LEAF, which stands for the Legacy of Environmental Actions for our Future. The program sets goals, outlines initiatives and creates a system for monitoring results to support Tampa International’s commitment to people, planet and prosperity.

“This program gives us the opportunity to build on our past successes and to truly become leaders in sustainability,” said Melissa Solberg, the Airport’s recently hired sustainability manager.

To read more about the Airport’s plan, please visit the Sustainability Management Page.

 

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