Steyr develops hybrid tractor

The Austrian tractor manufacturer Steyr is working behind the scenes on a hybrid powertrain for its Terrus tractor series. Steyr has not yet released many technical details about the powertrain. What is known is that the tractor is equipped with a generator that is powered by the diesel engine and generates electricity for a limited battery pack.

Standard transmission

There is a standard transmission in the tractor, which is (partially) electrically driven. This is a series-parallel hybrid, which means that the diesel engine can serve as a power generator for the electric motor (serial), but both engines can also drive the wheels independently (parallel). The tractor will therefore be able to switch off the engine and drive purely electrically for a short time – for example in a low-emission zone.

Energy recovery

The battery also recovers energy when braking. Steyr says that with this development it wants to increase the power density and power of the tractor, while at the same time exploiting the advantages of a hybrid drive-system.

Within now and two years the first prototypes will be on the road and within now and five years Steyr aims to have the concept commercialised.

The concept is based the Steyr-Konzept, that futuristic tractor the manufacturer presented at Agritechnica in 2019.

Also read: The tractor cabin of the future according to Steyr