APA Plug-in Hybrid Ground Power Units
Plug-in hybrid GPU series combining diesel engine autonomy with shore-power silent operation, covering both DC and 400 Hz output for mixed aviation fleets.
ElectroAir's plug-in hybrid GPU range addresses the practical constraint facing many airport operators: a complete transition to battery-electric ground power is often not immediately feasible due to charging infrastructure limitations, while pure diesel units create compliance friction in low-emission zones and drive up fuel costs. The hybrid platform resolves this by equipping the diesel GPU chassis with a plug-in function that enables full aircraft servicing from shore power when mains connection is available — with zero exhaust emission inside hangars — while retaining the diesel engine for full operational autonomy at remote stands or during grid outages. The hybrid range spans 400 Hz AC output, 28.5 VDC output, and EACR combined variants, supported by Airbus Helicopters in their development, and covers both narrow-body commercial and military applications. From a procurement standpoint, the hybrid GPU is the appropriate choice when an operator anticipates mixed operating environments: some stands with fixed power infrastructure (where the plug-in mode is used), others at remote locations (where diesel is used), and a transition trajectory toward progressively greater electrification. Total cost of ownership benefits from reduced diesel consumption at plugged-in positions, while the diesel backup preserves operational resilience that a pure battery unit cannot guarantee in all scenarios.
Technical specifications.
| Power Sources | Diesel engine + shore power (plug-in) |
| Output Types | 28.5 VDC and/or 400 Hz AC depending on configuration |
| Emission Mode | Zero emission when operating on shore power |
| Development Support | Airbus Helicopters involvement noted |
Use cases.
- ›Airports transitioning toward lower-emission ramp operations with mixed infrastructure readiness
- ›Stands with available shore power that also require backup autonomous diesel capability
- ›Hangars where zero-emission operation is required but remote apron deployments also occur
- ›Helicopter operators requiring DC and AC power with flexible energy source selection
- ›Military applications with DC and AC demand where fuel logistics can be minimised on electrified bases