StandardAero, an independent provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, has formed a strategic partnership with Green Taxi Solutions (GTS) to certify the Zero Engine Taxi™ system—a fully electric solution enabling aircraft to taxi without using their main engines. This collaboration is supported by a newly awarded US$5.6 million grant from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) programme.
The Zero Engine Taxi™ system, or eTaxi, operates using the aircraft's auxiliary power unit (APU), offering substantial environmental and operational benefits. These include reduced fuel burn, lower carbon emissions, decreased brake wear, less noise, and quicker turnaround times. The system is projected to save up to 80,000 gallons of fuel and $250,000 per aircraft annually, aligning with the aviation industry's sustainability and efficiency goals.
StandardAero will lead the FAA certification process, beginning with the Embraer E175. The process is expected to take two to three years and will later expand to cover other commercial and military aircraft. Certification from international regulators, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Brazil's Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), is also planned.
With extensive experience in engine maintenance, engineering, and securing certifications from aviation authorities worldwide, StandardAero's involvement is considered crucial to the success of the eTaxi programme and broader efforts to introduce clean technology into ground operations.
