Key Takeaways
• Gatwick Airport replaces diesel shuttles with 14 electric trams starting winter 2025/2026.
• Trams feature 18m articulated design, step-free boarding, luggage racks, and digital vision cameras.
• Ultra-fast pantograph charging recharges trams in under six minutes, enabling nonstop all-day service.
London Gatwick Airport is making a major change to how passengers move between its long-stay car parks and terminals. Starting in the winter of 2025/2026, the airport will replace its old diesel shuttle buses with a new fleet of 14 fully electric, tram-style vehicles. This move is part of a £14 million plan to make travel at Gatwick Airport cleaner, quieter, and more comfortable for everyone.
Why Gatwick Airport Is Switching to Electric Trams
Gatwick Airport serves around 43 million passengers every year and supports over 76,000 jobs. As one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, it has a big impact on the environment and the local community. The airport’s leaders want to cut pollution and help fight climate change. Their goal is to reach net-zero emissions by 2030, meaning the airport will not add any extra greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
To help reach this goal, Gatwick Airport is investing in new technology and greener ways to move people around. The biggest step so far is the switch from diesel shuttle buses to electric trams. These new vehicles will help reduce air pollution, lower noise levels, and make travel easier for passengers.
Key Details About the New Electric Trams
The new electric trams at Gatwick Airport are being supplied by Irizar e-mobility, a Spanish company known for making advanced electric buses and trams. In July 2025, Gatwick Airport signed a contract with Irizar e-mobility to deliver 14 of its ie tram buses. These trams are specially designed for airport shuttle service and have several features that set them apart from regular buses:
- Each tram is 18 metres long and articulated, which means it can bend in the middle to turn corners easily and carry more passengers.
- Step-free interiors make it simple for everyone to board, including people with wheelchairs, strollers, or lots of luggage.
- Dedicated luggage racks help keep bags organized and out of the way.
- Digital vision camera systems replace old-fashioned mirrors, giving drivers a better view and making the ride safer for everyone.
The trams are powered by a strong 285kW electric motor and have batteries that can last up to 350 kilometers on a single charge. This is much more than needed for the short trips between Gatwick’s car parks and terminals, which usually take only 5 to 12 minutes.
Ultra-Fast Charging for Non-Stop Service
One of the most impressive parts of the new system is the ultra-fast pantograph charging technology. A pantograph is an overhead connector that quickly charges the tram’s batteries. With this system, each tram can be fully charged in less than six minutes. This means the trams can keep running all day with very little downtime, making sure passengers never have to wait long for a ride.
How Passengers Will Benefit
For travelers, the change to electric trams at Gatwick Airport will bring several improvements:
- Cleaner air and less noise: Electric trams do not produce exhaust fumes, so the air around the airport will be cleaner. They are also much quieter than diesel buses, making the journey more peaceful.
- Easier boarding: The step-free design and wide doors make it simple for everyone to get on and off, including families, people with disabilities, and those carrying heavy bags.
- More comfort: The trams are spacious and have special racks for luggage, so passengers can relax during the short trip.
- Reliable service: Thanks to the fast charging system, the trams can run more often and with fewer delays.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes are expected to make Gatwick Airport a model for other airports in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and across Europe.
What Gatwick Airport’s Leaders Are Saying
Gatwick Airport is owned and managed by VINCI Airports and Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). The airport’s leadership has said that this investment shows their strong commitment to protecting the environment and providing a better experience for passengers. They believe the new electric trams will set a new standard for airport transportation.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport explained, “This project is a key part of our plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. By replacing diesel buses with electric trams, we are reducing pollution and making travel easier for everyone who uses the airport.”
Irizar e-mobility’s Role and Expansion in the UK
Irizar e-mobility is not new to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧. The company already has more than 50 electric buses running in cities like London. With the Gatwick Airport project, Irizar e-mobility is expanding its presence even further. The company plans to open a new UK headquarters in Blyth, near Birmingham, in late 2025. This will help them support the new trams at Gatwick and work with other airports and cities looking to switch to electric vehicles.
A Closer Look at the Technology
The ie tram buses from Irizar e-mobility are built for busy places like airports. Here are some of the main features:
- High passenger capacity: The trams are long and can carry many people at once, though the exact number has not been shared.
- Articulated design: This means the tram can bend in the middle, making it easier to turn and move through tight spaces.
- Digital vision cameras: Instead of side mirrors, the trams use cameras that give drivers a clear view of the road and passengers, even in bad weather or at night.
- Ultra-fast charging: The pantograph system charges the trams in less than six minutes, so they can keep running all day.
These features make the trams safer, more comfortable, and better for the environment than the old diesel buses.
Why This Matters for the Environment
Switching to electric trams is a big part of Gatwick Airport’s Decade of Change plan. This plan is focused on making the airport more sustainable and reducing its impact on the planet. The airport’s leaders want to make sure that by 2030, at least 60% of all trips to and from the airport are made using public transport or zero-emission vehicles.
This move is also part of a larger £2 billion plan to help the airport grow in a way that is good for the environment. By cutting out diesel buses and using electric trams, Gatwick Airport is taking real steps to lower its carbon footprint and improve air quality for everyone who lives and works nearby.
How the Change Will Affect Different Groups
- Passengers: Travelers will enjoy a smoother, quieter, and cleaner ride between car parks and terminals. The new trams are easier to board, especially for people with disabilities or lots of luggage.
- Airport workers: Employees who use the shuttle service will benefit from a more reliable and comfortable commute.
- Local community: People living near the airport will notice less noise and cleaner air, making the area a better place to live.
- Other airports: Gatwick’s move to electric trams may encourage other airports in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and Europe to make similar changes, helping to reduce pollution on a larger scale.
Background: Gatwick’s History with Electric Transit
Gatwick Airport has already shown interest in electric transport. The airport operates an electric monorail system that connects its terminals. However, the new electric trams are the first time Gatwick is using fully electric, road-based vehicles for passenger shuttles. This marks a big step forward in the airport’s efforts to become more sustainable.
What’s Next for Gatwick Airport’s Electric Trams
The first 14 electric trams will start running in the winter of 2025/2026, just in time for the busy holiday travel season. The airport will keep a close eye on how the new system works, checking things like emissions, passenger numbers, and how often the trams run. If the project is successful, Gatwick may expand the use of electric trams to other routes around the airport in the future.
Gatwick’s Surface Access Strategy includes regular reviews to make sure the airport is meeting its goals for reducing pollution and increasing the use of public transport. The airport will also look for new ways to improve its ground transport system and make travel even easier for passengers.
How This Could Change Airport Travel Across the UK and Europe
Gatwick Airport’s decision to invest in electric trams is likely to influence other airports in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 and Europe. As more airports look for ways to cut pollution and improve the passenger experience, many may follow Gatwick’s example and switch to electric vehicles for their shuttle services.
This could lead to a wave of new investments in clean transport technology, creating jobs and helping to fight climate change. It also shows that airports can grow and serve more passengers without harming the environment.
Official Resources and Where to Learn More
For travelers and others interested in the latest updates on Gatwick Airport’s electric tram project, the airport’s official news page provides up-to-date information. This is the best place to find news about the project’s progress, future plans, and other sustainability efforts at the airport.
For more details about the ie tram and Irizar e-mobility’s work in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, you can visit the company’s official website or contact their new UK headquarters once it opens in late 2025.
Summary Table: Gatwick Electric Tram Shuttle Project (2025)
- Number of Vehicles: 14 electric ie tram buses
- Supplier: Irizar e-mobility
- Vehicle Length: 18 metres (articulated)
- Charging System: Ultra-fast pantograph (full charge in less than 6 minutes)
- Passenger Capacity: High (exact number not disclosed)
- Key Features: Step-free boarding, luggage racks, digital vision cameras
- Investment: £14 million
- Operational Start: Winter 2025/2026
- Sustainability Target: Net-zero emissions by 2030
- Stakeholders: Gatwick Airport (VINCI Airports, GIP), Irizar e-mobility
- Current Diesel Buses: Being phased out
- Existing Electric Transit: Monorail between terminals (not road-based)
What This Means for the Future
Gatwick Airport’s move to electric trams is more than just a change in vehicles. It’s a sign that airports can lead the way in making travel better for people and the planet. By investing in clean, modern transport, Gatwick is showing that it’s possible to grow and serve millions of passengers while also protecting the environment.
Passengers, workers, and the local community will all benefit from cleaner air, quieter rides, and a more reliable shuttle service. Other airports are watching closely, and many may soon follow Gatwick’s lead.
As the world looks for ways to fight climate change and build a cleaner future, projects like this one at Gatwick Airport show that real progress is possible. The new electric trams, supplied by Irizar e-mobility, are set to make a big difference for everyone who travels through or works at Gatwick Airport.
For more information on the airport’s sustainability plans and transport updates, visit the Gatwick Airport News page. This official source will keep you informed about the latest developments and how they might affect your next trip through Gatwick Airport.
Learn Today
Electric tram → A fully electric vehicle designed to transport passengers efficiently within facilities like airports.
Pantograph charging → An overhead electrical connector that charges vehicles quickly through direct contact.
Articulated design → A vehicle structure with a flexible joint allowing easier turns and higher passenger capacity.
Net-zero emissions → Achieving a balance where no additional greenhouse gases are added to the atmosphere.
Digital vision cameras → Camera systems replacing mirrors to improve driver visibility and safety.
This Article in a Nutshell
Gatwick Airport’s switch to 14 new electric trams in winter 2025/2026 will cut pollution and noise, improve passenger comfort, and lead UK airports toward sustainable transport solutions with ultra-fast charging and advanced accessibility features for an eco-friendly future.
— By VisaVerge.com
