Richmond International Airport Converts 21 Parking Shuttles to CNG

Richmond International Airport (RIC) in Virginia has completed the conversion of its entire EasyPark parking shuttle fleet, which includes 21 shuttles in all, to environmentally-friendly CNG. The conversion from diesel to CNG shuttles represents an approximate $4.7 million investment in vehicles, a permanent fueling station, and related infrastructural improvements to support the use of natural gas.

“With three years of CNG experience, it’s clear that converting to CNG was the right choice,” said airport president and CEO Jon E. Mathiasen, AAE. “The Airport is delivering a better product, enjoying savings on energy costs, reducing tailpipe emissions, and seeing reduced engine wear and tear on our shuttles.”

RIC purchases natural gas from the City of Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities. RIC’s original CNG program launched in August 2013 with nine shuttles and was assisted by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Program grant supported by the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization. Since then, the airport has purchased 12 new parking shuttles as well as CNG-powered maintenance vehicles.