The Challenges in Tractor Electrification
By Jean-Paul McDonald
Farms.com
Photo Credit: Case IH – The Farmall 75C
Are electric tractors going to catch on? Electrifying tractors is proving to be a unique challenge in the agriculture sector. Unlike cars, tractors operate under intense conditions that drain battery life quickly.
For example, a large 14-tonne tractor uses about 300 horsepower and burns up to 50 litres of fuel per hour, much more than similar-sized machines in other sectors.
The main hurdles in tractor electrification include high energy requirements, limited space for large batteries, and the need for quick recharging during peak agricultural seasons.
While tractors need a lot of power and have little room to store big batteries, they also aren't used all year round.
This sporadic usage reduces the total number of battery cycles needed over their lifetime, which could allow the use of advanced, albeit currently expensive, battery technologies.
Emerging technologies like solid-state batteries (SSBs) and silicon anode batteries are promising because of their high energy density and good recharge capabilities.
These features are crucial for maintaining the tractor’s operational efficiency. However, these technologies are still under development and are more costly than traditional batteries.
Given the current costs, even with significant savings on fuel, the high price of advanced batteries may not yet justify their use in tractors. This economic challenge remains a significant barrier to widespread adoption.
According to a recent report by IDTechEx, while the future may see some adoption of these advanced technologies, traditional batteries like NMC and LFP will likely continue to dominate the agricultural sector for now.