Farmers know the value of a good tractor. Soon airport operations managers are likely to be sharing that same sentiment. At a recent field test at the Sonoma County Charles M. Schulz Airport, Monarch’s MK-V proved its worth among jets and runways, just as it does around barns and farms, demonstrating how a smart, electric tractor can provide the fiscal and safety solutions airports and municipalities are seeking.
The MK-V is packed with safety features including collision prevention and PTO entanglement protection, enabled by 360-degree camera technology and real-time visibility. It turns out that the MK-V extends safety to airports and airplanes. By combining electrification with digitalization the MK-V allows airport operations to stay compliant with the strict grass height regulations necessary to prevent birds from flocking, all while increasing efficiency and eliminating diesel expenses. With 500 acres to mow, that’s a massive amount of savings.
ROI Takes Off
In addition to saving time and labor productivity, Sonoma County Airport’s foresight has positioned itself for even faster payback on an investment in the MK-V. Roughly 20% of U.S. airports have adopted solar panels into their operations and Sonoma County Airport is one of them. Having an infrastructure already in place to power up an electric tractor makes the MK-V, according to Carls, “A slam dunk.”
References:
Azralon, Meghan, (2020, September 18) CU Denver Researcher Analyzes the Use of Solar Energy at U.S. Airports. CU Denver News.