{{short description|Tractor powered by electricity}} [[File:Kubota LXe electric tractor 20220929.jpg|thumb|[[Kubota]] LXe electric tractor]] '''Electric [[tractors]]''' are tractors powered by [[electric vehicle batteries]] (sometimes called '''Battery Electric Tractors''' or '''BET)''', or in the case of plug-ins, by an electric power cable.
== Advantages == Electric tractors offer several advantages over diesel tractors. An [[electric motor]] needs less maintenance than a diesel engine, which has hundreds of moving parts. Electric motors produce maximum [[torque]] instantaneously, reducing the need for a [[Transmission (mechanical device)|transmission]] to match speed with torque. However, many electric tractors still need a transmission to allow variable ground speeds while maintaining a constant speed for [[power take-off]] (PTO). They can be powered by household electricity, offering cost savings over [[diesel fuel]]. [[Greenhouse gas emissions]], estimated at 53 tons per year for a typical diesel tractor, are drastically reduced.<ref name = "hobby20020723" /> Additionally, electric tractors require less periodic maintenance as they do not contain [[Motor oil|engine oil]]. A significant downside to electric tractors is the time it takes to recharge the battery compared to refueling with diesel.
== Manufacturers == Electric tractors are manufactured by a German company, [[Fendt]], and by US companies, [[Solectrac]] and [[Monarch Tractor]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gaines |first=Tharran |date=2021-11-28 |title=An electric tractor may be in your future |url=https://www.agriculture.com/machinery/tractors/an-electric-tractor-may-be-in-your-future |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Successful Farming |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weisbrod |first=Katelyn |date=2022-07-13 |title=A New Project in Rural Oregon Is Letting Farmers Test Drive Electric Tractors in the Name of Science |url=https://insideclimatenews.org/news/13072022/a-new-project-in-rural-oregon-is-letting-farmers-test-drive-electric-tractors-in-the-name-of-science/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=[[Inside Climate News]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garvey |first=Scott |date=2021-02-10 |title=Development of Fendt’s e100 electric tractor continues |url=https://www.grainews.ca/machinery/development-of-fendts-e100-electric-tractor-continues/ |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Grainews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Doll |first=Scooter |date=2022-08-09 |title=Foxconn to manufacture electric tractors for Monarch at newly acquired Lordstown facility |url=https://electrek.co/2022/08/09/foxconn-electric-tractors-monarch/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Electrek |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[John Deere]]'s prototype electric tractor is a plug-in, powered by an electrical cable.<ref name = "hobby20020723">{{Cite web |last=Brackney |first=Susan |date=2021-09-02 |title=Electric Tractors Are The Future Of Farming |url=https://www.hobbyfarms.com/electric-tractors-are-the-future-of-farming/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=Hobby Farms |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[Kubota]] produces the LXe line of compact electric tractors and is prototyping an autonomous electric tractor.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Szymkowski |first=Sean |date=2020-01-29 |title=Autonomous, electric tractor could be the future face of smart farming |url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/autonomous-electric-tractor-future-farming/ |access-date=2022-07-23 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref>
[[New Holland Agriculture|New Holland]] launched their T4 Electric Power Tractor, first showcased in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=T4 Electric Power - All-Electric Utility Tractor {{!}} New Holland |url=https://agriculture.newholland.com/en-us/nar/products/tractors-telehandlers/t4-electric-power |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=T4 Electric Power - All-Electric Utility Tractor {{!}} New Holland |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=New Holland showcases T4 Electric Power at Agritechnica 2023 {{!}} New Holland UK |url=https://agriculture.newholland.com/en-gb/europe/new-holland-world/news/2023/new-holland-showcases-t4-electric-power-at-agritecnica-2023 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=New Holland showcases T4 Electric Power at Agritechnica 2023 {{!}} New Holland UK |language=en-GB}}</ref>
[[Case IH|CaseIH]] announced their Farmall Utility 75C electric tractor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Case IH’s new all-electric Farmall tractor |url=https://www.agriculture.com/case-ih-s-new-all-electric-farmall-tractor-7968311 |access-date=2024-09-02 |website=Successful Farming |language=en}}</ref>
==See also == *[[Climate-smart agriculture]] *[[Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture]]
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Portal bar|Agriculture|Electronics|Earth sciences}} [[Category:Electric tractors]]