General Motors has saved energy, improved
productivity and optimised line side delivery
operations at its Astra plant in Ellesmere
Port since switching to electric tow tractors
powered by Hawker batteries from EnerSys.

The new tractors, which replaced gaspowered
units, also reduced vehicle
movements in production and storage areas.

“We can use the new tractors right
through the shift to deliver parts to the
production line without any disruption to
the operations,” says Richie Mellor, senior
engineer at the Worldwide Facilities Group,
GMM Ellesmere Port Plant. “EnerSys and the
tractor manufacturer have supplied us with a
complete package that met our specification,
delivered operational benefits and a number
of savings.”
The company opted for a combination of
25 Linde P602 tow tractors and Hawker
batteries with Hawker LifeSpeed high speed
chargers. Trucks can be top-up charged for
short periods during scheduled work breaks
to maintain enough power to operate right
through the shift. This is supplemented by
overnight charging at the weekend, when the
factory is shut down, to ensure the batteries
are full for the start of the next week’s shift.

The tractors do not need to go outside, so
they are not exposed to rain and dirt.

One of the few disadvantages in switching
from gas to electric power was the new
wiring needed to supply the chargers. There
was a cost involved but the site estimates it is
saving around 50% on fuel which will offset
the investment well within the projected
lifetime of the tractors and batteries.