Eco-Friendly Aviation: Look Mom, Engine-Free Airplane Taxi

Innovative system touts saving fuel and reducing carbon footprint.

Les Abend

Friday, September 12, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

The APU will provide electrical power to drive the taxi motor through gearing assemblies on the inside of one main landing gear wheel. [Courtesy: Green Taxi Solutions]

Key Takeaways:

Green Taxi Solutions (GTS) has developed an innovative electric taxi system that allows aircraft to maneuver on the ground without using their main engines.
Powered by the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and driving a main landing gear wheel, the system promises significant savings in fuel, carbon emissions, engine maintenance, and noise.
Aimed for certification by 2027 and supported by an FAA grant, GTS's solution is gaining traction among major airlines like Delta and Alaska as environmental initiatives push for engine-less taxiing.

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The majority of musings in this column involve experiences and airline-relatable topics. Not often are specific aviation products discussed.

But when Green Taxi Solutions appeared on the radar, it was hard to resist a system that has the potential to be a game changer. When the installations begin, airline pilots will have to adjust not only their aircraft operation but their mindset.