PowerFlex Brings Large-Scale, Cost-Managed EV Charging to Los Angeles International Airport

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is one of the world’s busiest transportation hubs, serving nearly 90 million travelers each year. As part of its commitment to sustainability and enhancing the passenger experience, LAX continues to invest in innovative infrastructure that supports the needs of a rapidly evolving city. With a focus on reducing carbon emissions and preparing for future growth, the airport is modernizing its facilities to better serve the growing number of electric vehicle drivers in California.

The Challenge

Meet High Charging Demand While Managing Costs

As electric vehicle adoption accelerates across California, LAX faced the challenge of providing reliable and accessible charging options. The airport needed a scalable solution that could support high demand without overburdening existing electrical infrastructure. At the same time, LAX aimed to align with the City of Los Angeles’ ambitious sustainability goals, including a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045. Integrating a large-scale EV charging network into the airport’s new Economy Parking structure required a forward-thinking approach that balanced site capacity, operational costs, and environmental responsibility.

PowerFlex’s Solution

Smart, Scalable EV Charging Infrastructure Supporting 1,200+ Drivers

To address the need for large-scale, reliable EV charging, LAX partnered with PowerFlex to equip its new Economy Parking structure with more than 1,200 Level 2 and 16 DC Fast chargers. Leveraging PowerFlex’s patented Adaptive Load Management® (ALM) technology, the system dynamically balances energy delivery to each charger in real time, optimizing the total available power without requiring costly upgrades to the existing utility service. This innovative approach enables LAX to support more than 6 times the number of EV charging ports compared to traditional systems, ensuring more drivers get the opportunity to charge their vehicles. By integrating smart EV infrastructure at the design stage, LAX has laid the foundation for future sustainability initiatives and ensured a seamless charging experience for travelers.

INSTALLATION TYPE

EV Charging

INSTALLATION SIZE

1,200+ Level 2 Chargers
16 DC Fast Chargers

LOCATION

Los Angeles, CA

INCENTIVE

Los Angeles Department of Water & Power’s “Charge Up LA!” program

Leveraging Incentive Funds and Opening Additional Revenue Streams

The EV charging project at LAX benefited from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) Charge Up LA! program, which grants rebates for eligible EV charging service equipment. As an expert in EV charging incentives nationwide, PowerFlex was instrumental in securing these funds for LAX and offsetting a portion of the project’s installation costs. The EV chargers also represent an additional revenue stream for the airport. Over 79,000 charging sessions are initiated each year, translating to $230,000 in annual charging revenue.