Auga Group builds zero-series methane-electric tractor

Auga Group, an agricultural company with 39,000 hectares of arable land, 3,400 dairy cows and a mushroom farm, will test a zero-series home-built hybrid tractor on their farm this year.

The so-called Auga M1 tractor runs on biomethane with a combustion engine and converts it into electricity for electric wheel motors. In addition, the methane-electric tractor is equipped with batteries that, when full engine power is not needed, store the excess electrical energy.

The Auga M1 could operate for 12 hours on a single refuelling. According to Auga Group, the methane-electric tractor emits 100 tonnes less CO2 on an annual basis than a diesel variant.

Also read: Auga Group develops hybrid biomethane and electric tractor

Three versions of methane-electric tractor

The first zero series consists of three tractors, all with different components. The tractor that passes best during field tests this year will eventually go into series production. The appearance of the tractors has also been adjusted from the first prototype; according to the builders, this will be the basis for further production. The anthracite-brown colour will be the brand colour, which is a reference to fertile soil. The tractor is designed and assembled in Lithuania.

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Interchangeable gas cartridges

Auga says it has found a solution to the tank infrastructure by developing interchangeable gas cartridges. These are not filled on a farm, but at a biogas plant and then transported as interchangeable cartridges.

Auga Group says it has invested more than three million euros in development of the tractor. The aim is to eventually sell the Auga M1 to other companies and also abroad. The operating costs of the Auga M1 should be similar to those of a diesel variant.