At Agritechnica, it was clear that the entire alternative fuels space continues to pick up pace. A particularly noticeable trend this year was a move towards hybrid powertrains, whether its Zoomlion with its diesel-electric tractors and combines, or New Holland with its methane-electric concept telehandler.
With the exception of John Deere and German start-up Tadus with their battery electric tractors, a lot of other battery-electric tractor developments were led by manufacturers with little to no presence on the EU market, currently.
Both the Chinese and Indian manufacturers had a strong presence when it came to diesel/electric hybrid and battery electric innovations.
Meanwhile, New Holland continues to bolster its Methane Power CNG tractor range, while on the hydrogen front AGCO Power showcased a new hydrogen combustion engine. But for as long as infrastructure and the sourcing of green hydrogen pose a challenge, hydrogen combustion engines will likely remain on the sideline.
Zoomlion diesel electric hybrid range
Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion displayed three hybrid tractors. The flagship tractor was the DV3504, equipped with a 9.4l 350hp Chinese-built diesel engine which powers a generator, which in turn powers a 50km/h electric drivetrain. The tractor’s battery offers an electric boost up to 300hp. When the full power of the engine is not required, the battery is recharged. Electric motors power the PTO and 227l/min hydraulic pump.
Zoomlion explained that a similar system is also used on its 235hp DQ2604 and 160hp DL1604 models. A spokesperson noted that the firm is prototyping two more powerful models, the 380hp DV3804 and the 400hp DV4004.
John Deere E-Power electric tractor
John Deere presented its E-Power prototype full battery electric tractor. The E-Power is a purpose-built platform which is about to undergo European field testing.
The tractor is based on the 5M platform, albeit with a slightly longer wheelbase and bonnet to accommodate the electric/battery components.
There is room on board for up to five battery packs (39kWh each) if the best possible run time is to be achieved. Inside the cab, everything is optimised for the electric powertrain, even down to the smaller details, such as new brake-by-wire and accelerator-by-wire systems.
The battery technology has been developed by Austrian manufacturer Kreisel Electric which was acquired by John Deere in 2022.
There are four primary electric motors on board, two for hydraulics, one for PTO and one for traction, which together deliver 130hp (97kW) and offer performance comparable to the equivalent 5M 130 diesel model, while weighing 500kg more.
To the rear of the tractor, everything is identical to existing 5M diesel models.
The John Deere E-Power has room on board for up to 195kWh of battery storage.
Tafe’s 75hp diesel hybrid tractor
Indian tractor manufacturer, Tafe (Tractors and Farm Equipment) unveiled its new EVX75, diesel electric hybrid tractor.
It combines a 75hp Stage V Deutz diesel engine and a 400V electric battery system.
The dual powertrain claims to be able to operate in zero-emission electric only mode or hybrid mode (electric and engine) for high-demand fieldwork.
Tafe claims that the EVX75 achieves lower emissions and operating costs than a diesel counterpart. It’s kitted out with a liquid-cooled high-voltage system, while the three-speed transmission allows for a top speed of up to 40km/h. The EVX75 features a full HVAC cab, electro-hydraulic rear lift and independent PTO.
Tafe's EVX75 combines a 75hp Stage V Deutz diesel engine and a 400V electric battery system.
Tadus shows 160hp electric
prototype tractor
Four-year-old German start-up engineering company named Tadus presented its fully electric T16.20 tractor, featuring a 160hp (100kW) electric drivetrain.
The lithium-ion battery powers five motors – one for each axle, one for the front and another for the rear PTO and the fifth for the tractor hydraulic system (75l/min).
The unit displayed is the second built to date while five tractors will be built in spring next year, with a further 15 units scheduled for production in 2027.
Tadus explained that the twin battery pack in this tractor costs €90,000. Depending on the type of work it’s being used for, the battery will last from five to 10 hours. On fast-charging mode, the battery will charge to 80% in one hour, and 100% in 1.5 hours.
The cab is sourced from Claas, transaxles from Carraro and the motors are sourced from Bosch Rexroth. The tractor has a 5t rear lift capacity, a top speed of 40km/h and is expected to be priced somewhere in the region of €300,000.
The Tadus T16.20, features a 160hp (100kW) electric drivetrain.
Xeevo E904i electric battery
powered tractor
Another Chinese-built electric tractor exhibit was the Xeevo E904i from ZSHX Advanced Tractors. The Xeevo E904i is said to churn out the equivalent to 90hp, which increases to 122hp by means of a 30 second power boost feature. It is fitted with a 105kWh 600v Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which when full is said to translate to a run time of anywhere between four and eight hours. Charging times with a 120KW DC charger is said to take up to one hour.
There are two electric motors on board, one for the transmission and one for the PTO and hydraulics. The company has said that both smaller and larger models are currently in development.
The Xeevo E904i from ZSHX Advanced Tractors.
New Holland T7.270 Methane Power
Following its preview in 2023, New Holland showcased its T7.270 Methane Power CNG tractor which is now commercially available.
Bolstering its Methane Power portfolio, the T7.270 CNG joins the existing T6.180 CNG model. It features the same NEF 6.7l engine block as the T6.180 tractor, but with the addition of a new injection system and variable geometry turbo. The result is a steady 270hp under all conditions while the engines torque peaks at 1,160Nm.
Unlike in the T6 variant, the T7.270 Methane is married up with the AutoCommand stepless transmission.
Taking advantage of the larger T7 chassis, onboard gas storage (with range extender) increases to 1,265l (219kg) which is 178% more fuel than the T6.180 Methane.
Aside from being based on the T7.300 chassis, for its heavier-duty axles and ability to store more gas on-board, everything else including the Horizon Ultra cab and PLM Intelligence is identical to the model’s diesel-powered counterpart.
The T7.270 Methane Power can carry 178% more fuel on board compared with the T6.180 Methane Power model.
At Agritechnica, it was clear that the entire alternative fuels space continues to pick up pace. A particularly noticeable trend this year was a move towards hybrid powertrains, whether its Zoomlion with its diesel-electric tractors and combines, or New Holland with its methane-electric concept telehandler.
With the exception of John Deere and German start-up Tadus with their battery electric tractors, a lot of other battery-electric tractor developments were led by manufacturers with little to no presence on the EU market, currently.
Both the Chinese and Indian manufacturers had a strong presence when it came to diesel/electric hybrid and battery electric innovations.
Meanwhile, New Holland continues to bolster its Methane Power CNG tractor range, while on the hydrogen front AGCO Power showcased a new hydrogen combustion engine. But for as long as infrastructure and the sourcing of green hydrogen pose a challenge, hydrogen combustion engines will likely remain on the sideline.
Zoomlion diesel electric hybrid range
Chinese manufacturer Zoomlion displayed three hybrid tractors. The flagship tractor was the DV3504, equipped with a 9.4l 350hp Chinese-built diesel engine which powers a generator, which in turn powers a 50km/h electric drivetrain. The tractor’s battery offers an electric boost up to 300hp. When the full power of the engine is not required, the battery is recharged. Electric motors power the PTO and 227l/min hydraulic pump.
Zoomlion explained that a similar system is also used on its 235hp DQ2604 and 160hp DL1604 models. A spokesperson noted that the firm is prototyping two more powerful models, the 380hp DV3804 and the 400hp DV4004.
John Deere E-Power electric tractor
John Deere presented its E-Power prototype full battery electric tractor. The E-Power is a purpose-built platform which is about to undergo European field testing.
The tractor is based on the 5M platform, albeit with a slightly longer wheelbase and bonnet to accommodate the electric/battery components.
There is room on board for up to five battery packs (39kWh each) if the best possible run time is to be achieved. Inside the cab, everything is optimised for the electric powertrain, even down to the smaller details, such as new brake-by-wire and accelerator-by-wire systems.
The battery technology has been developed by Austrian manufacturer Kreisel Electric which was acquired by John Deere in 2022.
There are four primary electric motors on board, two for hydraulics, one for PTO and one for traction, which together deliver 130hp (97kW) and offer performance comparable to the equivalent 5M 130 diesel model, while weighing 500kg more.
To the rear of the tractor, everything is identical to existing 5M diesel models.
The John Deere E-Power has room on board for up to 195kWh of battery storage.
Tafe’s 75hp diesel hybrid tractor
Indian tractor manufacturer, Tafe (Tractors and Farm Equipment) unveiled its new EVX75, diesel electric hybrid tractor.
It combines a 75hp Stage V Deutz diesel engine and a 400V electric battery system.
The dual powertrain claims to be able to operate in zero-emission electric only mode or hybrid mode (electric and engine) for high-demand fieldwork.
Tafe claims that the EVX75 achieves lower emissions and operating costs than a diesel counterpart. It’s kitted out with a liquid-cooled high-voltage system, while the three-speed transmission allows for a top speed of up to 40km/h. The EVX75 features a full HVAC cab, electro-hydraulic rear lift and independent PTO.
Tafe's EVX75 combines a 75hp Stage V Deutz diesel engine and a 400V electric battery system.
Tadus shows 160hp electric
prototype tractor
Four-year-old German start-up engineering company named Tadus presented its fully electric T16.20 tractor, featuring a 160hp (100kW) electric drivetrain.
The lithium-ion battery powers five motors – one for each axle, one for the front and another for the rear PTO and the fifth for the tractor hydraulic system (75l/min).
The unit displayed is the second built to date while five tractors will be built in spring next year, with a further 15 units scheduled for production in 2027.
Tadus explained that the twin battery pack in this tractor costs €90,000. Depending on the type of work it’s being used for, the battery will last from five to 10 hours. On fast-charging mode, the battery will charge to 80% in one hour, and 100% in 1.5 hours.
The cab is sourced from Claas, transaxles from Carraro and the motors are sourced from Bosch Rexroth. The tractor has a 5t rear lift capacity, a top speed of 40km/h and is expected to be priced somewhere in the region of €300,000.
The Tadus T16.20, features a 160hp (100kW) electric drivetrain.
Xeevo E904i electric battery
powered tractor
Another Chinese-built electric tractor exhibit was the Xeevo E904i from ZSHX Advanced Tractors. The Xeevo E904i is said to churn out the equivalent to 90hp, which increases to 122hp by means of a 30 second power boost feature. It is fitted with a 105kWh 600v Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, which when full is said to translate to a run time of anywhere between four and eight hours. Charging times with a 120KW DC charger is said to take up to one hour.
There are two electric motors on board, one for the transmission and one for the PTO and hydraulics. The company has said that both smaller and larger models are currently in development.
The Xeevo E904i from ZSHX Advanced Tractors.
New Holland T7.270 Methane Power
Following its preview in 2023, New Holland showcased its T7.270 Methane Power CNG tractor which is now commercially available.
Bolstering its Methane Power portfolio, the T7.270 CNG joins the existing T6.180 CNG model. It features the same NEF 6.7l engine block as the T6.180 tractor, but with the addition of a new injection system and variable geometry turbo. The result is a steady 270hp under all conditions while the engines torque peaks at 1,160Nm.
Unlike in the T6 variant, the T7.270 Methane is married up with the AutoCommand stepless transmission.
Taking advantage of the larger T7 chassis, onboard gas storage (with range extender) increases to 1,265l (219kg) which is 178% more fuel than the T6.180 Methane.
Aside from being based on the T7.300 chassis, for its heavier-duty axles and ability to store more gas on-board, everything else including the Horizon Ultra cab and PLM Intelligence is identical to the model’s diesel-powered counterpart.
The T7.270 Methane Power can carry 178% more fuel on board compared with the T6.180 Methane Power model.
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