Electric tong with onboard hydraulic power unit

A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.