Cor Kramer (Monarch Tractor): ‘Monarch sees great opportunities in Europe’
The American company Monarch Tractor builds 100% electric tractors that can also operate autonomously. Essentially, the tractor is a moving computer equipped with multiple cameras and advanced smart technology. Monarch is now establishing a presence in Europe, with Dutchman Cor Kramer playing a key role in this expansion.
“Very simply: my passion for agriculture, tractors, sustainable innovations, and contributing to the future of healthy and safe food production. At Monarch Tractor (in which CNHi holds a minority stake, ed.), I can combine all of these!”
“The Monarch MK-V is the world’s first 100% electric tractor that can operate autonomously and is fully data-driven. This tractor elevates all farm operations through advanced electrification, autonomy, and smart technology. You can operate it for up to 14 hours without recharging the batteries. Farmers have the option to drive the tractor themselves or let it run autonomously. In fact, a single person could manage an entire fleet of tractors.”
We are starting in countries where government policies provide subsidies for the green transition, which currently applies to almost all of Europe
“We see enormous demand from Europe. As a company striving to make an impact, we focus on countries where farmers and governments support this crucial transition to sustainable agriculture. Moreover, the European agricultural market is substantial, with an estimated value of $15.5 billion (€14.3 billion), which could grow to $19.5 billion (€18.5 billion) by 2029. This presents incredible opportunities.”
“Our European headquarters will be located in the Antwerp region (Belgium). From there, we will coordinate our operations across mainland Europe. In the future, we may also expand into other regions beyond America. We are already receiving orders and interest from dealers across Europe. We are starting in countries where government policies provide subsidies for the green transition, which currently applies to almost all of Europe. In the initial phase, we are prioritising countries with a well-developed infrastructure for electric vehicles and solar energy, such as the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. At the moment, we are building our distribution network, which is crucial for service, support, and sales in Europe.”
“Our goal is to introduce between 100 and 200 tractors to the market in the first year and surpass 3,000 units by 2027. All tractors are equipped with WingspanAI technology.”
“WingspanAI is like a remote control for our tractors. It allows you to see exactly what your tractors are doing and manage them from anywhere via your phone or computer. With WingspanAI, you can automatically schedule tasks for your tractors, remotely monitor your entire fleet, receive reports on completed work, and detect (or even prevent) maintenance issues.”
Demand is rapidly growing among vineyards in North America and Southern Europe
“We are starting with the MK-V, a fully electric and optionally autonomous tractor. We offer 3 configurations: Basic, Premium, and Pro. All include data insights subscriptions, with Premium and Pro also featuring autonomy subscriptions. We already have several ‘Ambassador Tractors’ in Europe, including one in the Netherlands. These are used for special projects, demonstrations, and valuable customer insights.
The models showcased at EIMA in Bologna are already being sold commercially in North America. We are currently finalising EU certifications, and once completed, official sales in Europe can begin.”
“In the United States, we see that most farms are can already charge a Monarch Tractor using a standard 220V power supply. Solar energy is also being increasingly adopted, allowing farmers to charge their tractors using renewable sources from their own land. In many Western European countries, such as the Netherlands, the electric infrastructure is already well-developed.”
“Demand is rapidly growing among vineyards in North America and Southern Europe, as well as large dairy farms in the United States—particularly those transitioning toward sustainable production. We are also seeing interest from municipalities, solar farms, turf growers, and even logistics services at airports.”
