KLM Catering Services (KCS) has introduced two fully electric and refrigerated catering trucks, marking a significant milestone in sustainable airport ground operations.

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Source: KLM

The innovative vehicles contribute to KLM’s strategic objective of achieving emission-free ground handling by 2030. Both trucks operate entirely on electricity, with electric engines powering their cooling systems.

“At KLM Catering Services, we like to be at the forefront of testing the latest technologies. I am therefore proud that we are the first airline caterer in the world with two 100% electric catering trucks. It is fantastic that our team will be testing these electric trucks in the coming period,” said Michiel van der Eijk, CEO of KLM Catering Services.

An additional benefit of the electric trucks is their significantly reduced noise levels, which improves working conditions for drivers and platform employees.

KCS collaborated with two airport equipment suppliers, DOLL and Mallaghan, who developed the trucks, with Volvo constructing the chassis. The company will conduct extensive prototype testing, evaluating the trucks’ performance, impact on catering processes, and overall user-friendliness.

The insights gained during this testing phase will inform further truck optimisation and support efficient integration into daily operations.

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With a newly acquired undergraduate degree in Geography and a passion for topics relating to sustainability, I am thrilled to join the team as a research assistant. My role involves gathering valuable information on road freight and commercial vehicle decarbonisation, contributing to cutting-edge research in this crucial field.View full Profile

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