GM Tractors Speaks Openly About EV Batteries in the Heavy Mining Equipment Sector

The issue of battery lifespan and potential hidden costs remains a primary concern for industry players adopting electric heavy equipment in the mining sector.

Product Support Director of PT Gaya Makmur Tractors, Surateman, emphasised that guarantees for batteries are one of the aspects to provide peace of mind to users.

“We have a five-year warranty, sir. So five years, in my opinion, is also a very long time if we operate on average in mines above 5,000 or even up to 6,000 hours; of course, its durability with just the warranty is already 30,000 hours,” said Surateman at the EV Transition in Mining Industry Outlook 2026 event on Wednesday (29/4/2026).

This is because concerns have arisen regarding the service life of batteries, which have long been considered the most expensive component in the electric heavy equipment ecosystem.

On the other hand, the readiness of spare parts is also a focus, particularly to ensure that operations are not disrupted in the long term.

“For every new unit that arrives, there are 10 parameters that we must fulfil, one of which is the adequacy of spare parts. Within 12,000 hours, all the spare parts that we estimate will need replacement are already prepared along with the arrival of the equipment,” explained Surateman.

In this way, the company anticipates potential operational disruptions while reducing the risk of unexpected costs, which often worry users.

Meanwhile, regarding concerns over non-uniform charging standards, Surateman stated that the current system is already sufficiently flexible for use across various equipment.

“If you have other equipment, your other equipment can actually use the same charging. So in my opinion, the standardisation is already proven,” he said.