WheelTugVerified

WheelTug makes in-wheel electric motors for commercial aircraft. With WheelTug, a plane can drive on the ground without running its jet engines and without a tug. The company is based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Product

The WheelTug system puts electric motors inside the aircraft's wheels. Pilots use them to push back from the gate and taxi with the engines off.

• No tug and no pushback crew needed
• No engine start before taxi and no engine start clearance
• No wingmen needed at the gate
• Optional backup camera for the pilots
• The plane can turn at the gate so passengers use two doors

Savings the company reports

• About 7 minutes saved per flight on average
• Up to 20 minutes per flight with two-door boarding, which the company says will be possible across Asia
• Hundreds of hours saved per aircraft each year
• Lower pushback and crew costs, less fuel use, less engine wear and lower carbon emissions

Certification and manufacturing

WheelTug says the FAA has accepted its engineering and quality plans, and it is working toward certification and manufacturing approval. It has a 36,000 square foot plant ready for assembly, and its partners have capacity ready for parts. The design is ready for final test builds and final certification testing.

Customers

WheelTug reports more than 2,000 aircraft in its backlog, including Vueling and IndiGo. It has letters of intent from airlines in Europe, Asia, India, Africa, and North and South America. It also works with airports on best practices for WheelTug operations.

Company facts

• Base: WheelTug Works, Baltimore, Maryland
• Leadership includes engineers and executives from Embraer, Lockheed Martin, HondaJet and Czech Airlines
• Covered by Flight International and Ground Handling International, with a guest spot on Squawk Box

Contact

Enquiries: contact form on wheeltug.com

FAQ

What does WheelTug do?

It builds electric motors into aircraft wheels, so planes can push back and taxi without jet engines or a tug.

Where is WheelTug based?

At WheelTug Works, 6320 Oakleaf Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.

Is WheelTug certified yet?

Not yet. The company says the FAA accepted its engineering and quality plans, and it is working toward certification.

Which airlines have signed up?

WheelTug reports more than 2,000 aircraft in its backlog, including Vueling and IndiGo.

Details from wheeltug.com. Address and tagline confirmed by WheelTug, October 2026.