The world’s first all-electric tractor
The New Holland T4 Electric Power marks a new chapter in sustainable farming
Read time: 5 minutes
CNH has set many milestones over the years, but the presentation to the agricultural industry of the prototype for our new light utility tractor in December 2022 signaled a truly historic moment. “It’s as revolutionary a change as moving from the horse to the combustion engine,” says Daniel Valen, who quantified the business opportunity for the electrification of the T4 Electric Power as part of the product management division at New Holland Agriculture.
Going electric involves more than simply swapping one motor for another. Ensuring the same quality, safety and performance that customers have come to expect required “the best of the best,” explains Valen.
It’s no coincidence that New Holland is leading in the field as they have spent 15 years developing sustainable farming machinery powered by clean energy with zero emissions. At CNH, we have the experience, resources and ability to forge the partnerships needed to make the transition to electrification happen.
In addition to in-house experts from Burr Ridge, Illinois (USA), Modena (Italy), and other sites around the globe, it was the disruptive technology of its partner Californian farm-machinery specialist Monarch Tractor that accelerated the development of the T4 Electric Power in record time.
The T4 is packed with sensors, cameras and control units and also offers farmers the latest in autonomous features.
Powerful, agile and autonomous features
The T4 packs quite a punch, with peak power of 120 horsepower. Its battery pack takes only an hour to fully recharge and can deliver a full day of work, depending on the application.
Designed to meet the needs of a mixed farm, orchard production and municipalities, it boasts a laundry list of superlatives you might not expect from the new, electric kid on the block. Forget the jolting and bumping of yesteryear—the T4 Electric Power gives a super-smooth ride with accurate maneuvering and responsive handling.
Packed with sensors, cameras and control units, it also offers farmers the latest in autonomous features. Using available technology, they can maneuver the machine to haul crates of apples or bales of hay to a barn from anywhere at any time.
And thanks to cutting-edge image recognition, the tractor is very safe and won’t crush the strawberry plants in the neighboring farmer’s fields.
Initial investment in the T4 Electric Power will quickly be offset by the long-term cost savings and improved efficiency of going electric. It’s far cheaper to operate due to lower fuel costs—as much as 90 percent cheaper. A simpler design that needs less maintenance and fewer spare parts means there’s reduced downtime, too.
Testing is ongoing, but initial production for North America is confirmed for the end of 2023.
THE T4 ELECTRIC POWER IS UP TO 90% CHEAPER TO OPERATE DUE TO LOWER FUEL COSTS
CNH is a world-class equipment and services company that sustainably advances the noble work of agriculture and construction workers.
CNH Industrial N.V.
Corporate Office: Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3AD
United Kingdom