Start-ups also focus on electric tractors

A number of tractor manufacturers are now making significant progress in the development of electric propulsion and autonomous vehicles. The first fully electric tractors are already on the market.

Full electrification seems to be reserved for tractors under 100 horsepower. A tractor for work on and around the farmyard is then an obvious application. For this work, the tractor is not constantly heavily loaded, and the plug to recharge is never far away.

Start-ups build completely new electric tractors

At Agritechnica 2023, it was noticeable that several start-ups presented a prototype electric tractor. They choose to build a vehicle completely from scratch instead of just replacing the engine in an existing tractor with an electric motor. Complete new construction has the advantage of allowing more freedom to place a battery. The space that a battery pack occupies is still a critical issue for a fully electric vehicle. The battery pack must replace at least a 50 to 60-liter fuel tank.

Continuously variable electric drive

An electric drive can be easily adjusted continuously. Can you then completely omit a mechanical gearbox or a cvt transmission in an agricultural tractor? What motors, what batteries does an agricultural tractor need, and what capacities should the machine have? An electrical engineer can answer these questions. However, the practice is stubborn, a lot needs to be tested.

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TUMtrac from the Technical University of Munich

Testing is precisely the goal of the TUMtrac, a study model from the Technical University of Munich. A team of eight people is researching the technical capabilities and possibilities of a fully electrically driven tractor. To be completely free in the design, the team built a completely new vehicle. Last fall, the electric tractor was tested and used to sow wheat. The TUMtrac was used for a cultivator and a tipper.

E-Tractor from start-up Tadus

Closer to the practice of a ‘real’ agricultural tractor is the E-Tractor from start-up Tadus. The electric tractor is based on a Doppstad Systra, which is no longer being produced. The E-Tractor has two lithium-ion batteries from the commercial vehicle world on board. The diesel engine is maintained and drives a generator.

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Last year, the E-Tractor was extensively tested. If it goes into production, it will be a complete new build. That’s what ing. Dr. Thaddäus Baier, the creator of the E-Tractor, says. Tadus has entered into a partnership with Baumüller Anlagen-Systemtechnik for the development of the electric tractor.

Onox from German start-up Raumideen

Onox is a project of the German start-up Raumideen. The founder and financier is private investor Michael Hetzer. The German is also the man behind Elobau, a manufacturer of electronic components.

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The electric tractor Onox looks like a more or less standard agricultural tractor, except the diesel engine has been omitted. The designers have paid maximum attention to the quick exchange of batteries. The Onox is designed for 50 kW power. Per battery pack, the e-tractor has 3kWh of energy on board. The e-tractor is a prototype and has not yet been tested.

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E-Tractor from American Monarch

No longer a start-up, the American Monarch Tractor has fully redesigned an autonomous electric tractor. The e-tractor is being built in the state of California. Monarch has now entered into a partnership with CNH Industrial.

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The benefits of electric are evident, although there are still a number of problems that need to be solved. Like the large tractor manufacturers, the start-ups are working hard on solutions and investing heavily in electric tractors.”