4 Advantages of an Electric Towbarless Tug vs. a Diesel Model

A towbarless tug can already offer your operation countless advantages over conventional tugs, such as increased operator visibility, easier maneuverability and unmatched versatility. But did you know that by choosing an electric towbarless tug from Tronair, you can gain even more advantages for your airport? While traditional tugs might still be the norm in the aviation industry, electric models are slowly gaining recognition for doing what the industry does best – innovate. The world is continuing to change, and electric towbarless tugs are the new standard. Keep reading if you want to know what makes an electric tug even better than its diesel counterpart and the advantages it can offer your operation.

1. Electric Tugs Are Cost-Effective

At first glance, an electric towbarless tug might seem more expensive when compared to most diesel models. But when you consider follow-up costs and add up all the cost savings of electric models, you might want to think twice about your initial estimates. One area where the costs of a traditional tug add up the most is fuel. Weekly, you'll need to fuel up your entire fleet with expensive diesel gas. You should already know how much those costs can add up. With an electric tug, your power comes from one source – a charged battery. With a quick charge (either on or off your towbarless tug), you'll be at total capacity and ready to go at half the cost (if not more).

Fuel isn't the only thing that can help you save on costs with an electric towbarless tug. You'll also want to think about all the maintenance you do regularly for your traditional machinery. Engine oil, coolant, antifreeze, fuel filters and everything else you must routinely replace to keep your tug from wearing out can be cut out of your monthly budget. With an electric model towbarless tug, the initial investment might seem steep, but the cost savings you'll accrue over its long lifespan will benefit you in the long run.

2. Electric Ground Support Equipment Is Better For Ground Personnel Health

Electric tugs are battery-powered, meaning they won't shoot exhaust fumes all over your runway – something that puts your ground support team at a health risk. Diesel-powered towbarless tugs have the unfortunate consequence of producing harmful exhaust fumes that contain carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. These toxic fumes get into the lungs of personnel that perform aircraft turnaround operations, leading to adverse effects on their health. With electric towbarless tugs, your ground personnel are much safer. Since electric tugs don't emit exhaust, they can be used safely and efficiently on the tarmac, in hangars and throughout production halls.

3. An Electric Towbarless Tug Reduces Noise Pollution

One of the most challenging things airports have to cope with is the mass of noise pollution they create. Obviously, the biggest culprits are the airplanes themselves – unfortunately, there's not much we can do about that for now. However, traditional ground support equipment is something we've been able to innovate on. The motors on electric ground support equipment are silent, reducing a significant amount of noise pollution present at airports. Aircraft and airport noise can directly affect the health of people who live around them, not to mention ground support personnel who work near them every day. While it can't eliminate noise pollution altogether, an electric towbarless tug, like any in our JETporter series, can help significantly cut down the general noise emissions that hangars and airports can give off. This is not only better for the physical well-being of operators and other staff; it's also better for verbal communication among the team as they work. And better communication can mean improved safety.

4. An Electric Tug Is Environmentally Friendly

We've already discussed how the pollution of local air through traditional non-electric ground support equipment is hazardous to the airport staff, but the exhaust fumes they emit are also harmful to the environment. Did you know that airlines and airports represent 2 percent of the entire world's CO2 emissions? Airports are facing stricter limits than ever before regarding greenhouse gas emissions. That's where the use of sustainable, electric tug models like the Eagle Tug eJP-10 can help. Run entirely on battery power, an electric towbarless tug won't create harmful emissions that negatively impact the environment. This not only helps the planet but also your overall operational efficiency.

Go Green Today with a Tronair Electric Towbarless Tug

Our line of environmentally-friendly electric towbarless tugs has the power and efficiency to get the job done right, every time. At Tronair, we want to help you make your entire fleet cost-effective, healthy for your ground crew and better for the environment. Our towbarless tugs aren't the only thing that's going green; we offer all types of electric ground support equipment for all your needs. Have a question or need more detailed electric towbarless tug specs? Reach out to our authorized customer service center now and find out why Tronair is the most trusted name in ground support equipment.

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