Electric tow and pushback tractors move aircraft at gates and on ramps.
They are a high-leverage electrification target because aircraft movement is a short-duration, high-torque operation with repeatable patterns, centralized staging, and predictable windows.
At scale, charging logistics and peak demand become infrastructure constraints, especially when fleets expand and utilization increases.
What Tow and Pushback Tractors Do
| Attribute |
Typical Reality |
Why It Matters |
| Primary role |
Tow aircraft at gates, reposition on ramp, push back from gate |
Defines a safety-critical and schedule-critical operation |
| Operating domain |
Geofenced apron and gate areas with strict procedures |
Enables predictable routes and controlled electrification rollouts |
| Duty profile |
Short high-torque events with idle and staging time |
Charging strategy is driven by turnaround windows rather than range |
| Fleet deployment |
Multiple units per terminal and per gate complex |
Aggregate charging demand drives peak planning and charger placement |
Electric Tow & Pushback Tractor List
| OEM
| Model
| Control Mode
| Cost Band
|
| Aurrigo |
Auto-Dolly / Auto-DollyTug |
Autonomous |
USD $250-500K |
| Charlatte |
TE206 / TE210 |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
| Goldhofer |
Phoenix E / SHERPA E |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
| IAI |
Autonomous Pushback |
Autonomous |
USD $250-500K |
| JBT AeroTech |
eTow / MotivePower |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
| Mototok |
Spacer / Twin |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
| Textron GSE |
TUG MA / MD Electric |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
| TLD |
TPX-100-E / TPX-200-E |
Manual |
USD $120-220K |
Electrification Pathways
| Pathway |
What Changes |
Operational Notes |
| Battery electric tractor |
Eliminates local combustion; traction power from onboard battery |
Works best with opportunity charging near gates or staging zones |
| Hybrid or range-extended tractor |
Adds buffer and reduces fuel use |
Transitional solution when charging access is limited |
| Centralized charging with managed dispatch |
Pairs charging layout with fleet scheduling |
Prioritizes availability and avoids simultaneous charging peaks |
Energy and Charging Envelope
Bands describe class-level behavior without implying vendor-specific specifications. Exact values vary by aircraft class, tractor rating, duty intensity, and charging strategy.
| Parameter |
Typical Band |
Notes |
| System voltage class |
400–800 VDC traction systems |
Higher voltage supports lower current for a given power level |
| Peak traction power class |
High power bursts during pushback and tow events |
Power spikes dominate charging and thermal design considerations |
| Battery capacity class |
Optimized for shifts and repeated events rather than long distance |
Sizing depends on event count, aircraft mix, and charging access |
| Charging pattern |
Opportunity charging near gates plus depot charging |
Staging and turnaround windows determine feasibility |
| Site-level impact |
Peak demand sensitive during overlapping turnarounds |
Managed charging and buffering reduce feeder stress |
Autonomy and Remote Operation
Autonomy on the ramp changes labor workflows, safety cases, and utilization targets. Remote operation and supervised autonomy increase the importance of reliable connectivity and consistent power availability.
| Mode |
Operational Meaning |
Typical Requirements |
Energy Implication |
| Manual operation |
Operator-controlled tractor with standard safety procedures |
Standard training and procedures |
Electrification improves cost and maintenance without changing utilization limits |
| Remote assist |
Remote support for specific maneuvers or edge cases |
Connectivity and remote operations workflow |
Higher availability targets increase pressure on charging logistics |
| Supervised autonomy |
Automated movements under supervision in geofenced zones |
Sensors, mapping, safety case, remote oversight |
Utilization density increases, tightening charging windows and raising peak coordination needs |
Infrastructure Trigger Points
| Trigger |
What Appears On Site |
Next Step |
| Fleet growth |
Simultaneous charging events increase near staging areas |
Add chargers and implement managed charging schedules |
| Gate congestion |
Limited space for chargers and vehicle queues |
Design charging zones and traffic patterns around turnaround flows |
| Power quality sensitivity |
Voltage sag or nuisance trips during peaks |
Add buffering and power conditioning where feeders are constrained |
| Long grid upgrade timelines |
Substation and transformer upgrades lag electrification targets |
Stage with BESS and microgrid control strategy for critical zones |
Digital Systems and Integration Signals
| Capability |
Representation |
Why It Matters |
| Telematics |
Standard / optional / unknown |
Fleet visibility for utilization, maintenance, and charging coordination |
| Charging management |
Supported / site-dependent / unknown |
Enables load scheduling and peak reduction without reducing availability |
| Remote operations readiness |
Supported / limited / unknown |
Key for remote assist and supervised autonomy workflows |
| OTA updates |
None / limited / full / unknown |
Signals software-defined maintainability over long asset life |
