Government Soon to Introduce Electric Tractor: Nitin Gadkari

Tractors are the next electric vehicle, behind cars, two wheels, three wheels, buses, and small trucks. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Roads, has announced the introduction of a battery-powered electric tractor in the coming days, which will reduce the total cost of farm production.

The minister declined to disclose the name of the business that will launch the electric tractor, adding that the official launch dates are still being finalized. Although electric tractors will require a lot of energy to perform traditional tasks such as farming, Gadkari said they may move farm produce from the fields to the market.

"If a farmer has to deliver 300 kg of veggies to the market, he will pay $ 200." "I will introduce an electric tractor to the market in the next few days," Gadkari said at the HDFC Ergo General Insurance EV conference last week.

With diesel costs reaching Rs 100 a liter in many parts of the country, the cost of farm production has skyrocketed in a few months. Electric tractors, with their extremely cost-effective costs, are paid to be the most suitable replacement for traditional diesel-powered tractors.

Sonalika Tractor is the Only Company to Introduce Electric Tractor In India Till Date

The Sonalika Tractor in Punjab is the only tractor company in India, launching the sale of an electric tractor on the market, called Tiger Electric, and Sonalika launched in December 2020, at a launch price of Rs 5.99 lakh. Powered by an 11kW engine and with a lifting capacity of 500kg, Tiger Electric is used for a variety of purposes including spraying, grass cutavator, and trailer towing.

In January, Escorts announced that the company had obtained a certificate from the Central Farm Machinery Training & Testing Institute, Buddha for its electric tractor, complying with CMVR (Central Vehicle Regulations, 1989). Escorts are yet to introduce products to the market.

Two major Indian tractor manufacturers Mahindra & Mahindra and Tafe jointly control about 60% of India's domestic tractor market, are yet to announce their plan for electric tractors. M&M however is working to introduce electric tractors under its brand and under the Swaraj brand through FY26.

India's tractor market grew by 16% to 8.59 lakh between January and November compared to 7.41 lakh held during the same period last year, according to data shared by the Tractor & Mechanization Association. The industry is expected to close 021 as its best year in history.