Originally Posted by
FLPS30GRDWN
Pretty sure the 787 is this. I’m told it uses starter generators.
And it still has an APU. As for starting the engine at the gate without the APU, I don't believe that is possible, it draws too much current. So much in fact you need two large GPUs to start without an APU.
But, a smaller 737 sized aircraft may not need nearly as much current draw.