Pulkovo Tests Russian-Mmade EVM PRO Electric Cargo Truck for Apron Operations

The Pulkovo Airport has added the first Russian-made electric cargo truck, the EVM PRO, to its airport equipment fleet, according to the airport’s press service.

For the test phase, apron service was chosen to evaluate the vehicle’s ability to move small ground equipment around the airfield. The trials are scheduled to run for two months, offering a practical look at how electric power can perform in busy operational environments.

Pulkovo views itself as a platform for testing new solutions and deploying projects that support the airport’s technological independence. The shift to electric transportation promises benefits in both environmental impact and operational efficiency. In particular, the ongoing maintenance costs for electric systems tend to be notably lower than traditional alternatives, a point highlighted by Pavel Kushnirenko, the ground services manager at Northern Capital Gateway, the company operating Pulkovo Airport.

According to officials, about 67 percent of the components in the EVM PRO are Russian-made. The vehicle was developed by EM Rus, a local technology firm focused on electric propulsion and control systems.

Officials emphasized that the truck features an electric motor, on-board electronics, and software that are all homegrown developments. EM Rus reports that the EVM PRO has already logged more than a million kilometers on Russia’s road network, and this marks its first foray into airport operations.

The EVM PRO is built on the UAZ Profi chassis and offers a payload capacity of up to one tonne. It can travel as far as 300 kilometers on a single charge and can reach speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour. The battery life is stated to accommodate up to roughly 750 thousand kilometers of service, and a full recharge takes around two hours.

The rollout at Pulkovo aligns with broader efforts in Canadian and American aviation sectors to test and scale electric ground-support equipment, reflecting a growing interest in reducing emissions while maintaining peak efficiency at busy airports. The experiment at Pulkovo serves as a real-world benchmark that other international airports can watch, as operators seek to understand the practical implications of electric technology in apron operations.

Industry observers note that Russia’s approach to electric airport vehicles underscores a trend toward domestic engineering and supply chain resilience. By prioritizing Russian-made components whenever feasible, Pulkovo contributes to a broader dialogue about energy independence in aviation logistics. This perspective resonates with Canadian and U.S. airport authorities pursuing similar aims, highlighting the importance of local capabilities in sustaining critical ground services under varying conditions.

As the two-month test unfolds, airport staff will monitor performance metrics, including range reliability, charging turnaround times, and the impact on apron workflow. The experience is expected to inform future procurement decisions and potentially accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the fleet. In this context, the EVM PRO represents not just a single vehicle but a step toward modernizing ground handling with technologies designed to cut emissions and simplify maintenance regimes.

Industry voices suggest that the emphasis on domestic development in the EVM PRO project may inspire similar initiatives among regional manufacturers. The combination of solid range, practical payload, and relatively quick charging positions the vehicle as a credible option for routine cargo duties and light equipment transfers around the apron. Officials also point to the lessons learned from this test as valuable input for both national and international partners seeking scalable solutions for airport operations.

Other developments in the sector include ongoing collaborations between airports, vehicle makers, and maintenance teams to evaluate how electric systems perform in extreme weather, high-load scenarios, and the demanding schedules that characterize modern air travel. The Pulkovo initiative adds a tangible data point to this conversation, illustrating how Russian engineering can contribute to global discussions about cleaner, more efficient airport logistics.

In the broader landscape of electric aviation support, the EVM PRO project at Pulkovo stands as a practical example of turning innovation into everyday utility. It demonstrates how even a single test can yield actionable insights that shape policy, procurement strategies, and the daily routines of ground crews across North America and beyond.

The ambition behind this effort is clear: to build a resilient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective platform for airport operations that can withstand the demands of modern air travel without compromising safety or reliability. The choice to pilot an electric cargo truck on the airport’s apron reflects a thoughtful balance between experimentation, performance, and the realities of day-to-day airport logistics.

It remains to be seen how quickly electric ground-support equipment will become a staple in international airports, but the Pulkovo test provides a compelling case study for what is possible when engineering, policy alignment, and practical testing come together in support of a cleaner, more efficient aviation ecosystem.