A Dutch farmer has developed his own electric tractor in a quest to go emission-free, and it's not just another pluggable electric design
The E-Horse implement carrier tractor is a new design from the Netherlands. This electric tractor, equipped with solar panels on its roof, features four-wheel steering and is lightweight. It is particularly suitable for crop care tasks.
Dutch arable farmer and plant grower Bastian van der Veen sought a vehicle to maintain his crops. He conceptualized the machine, which was then manufactured by Boessenkool. Key design points included minimal weight and fully electric operation, aiming for essentially emission-free work. In 2023, the E-Horse was first used on a considerable scale for hoeing as a trial. Combined with the solar panels, the vehicle proved to have enough energy onboard for six to eight hours of work. The design focused on minimizing energy requirements.
By using electric motors, a battery, and solar power, the E-Horse tractor avoids the common environmental pitfalls of using diesel power to operate. In the U.S. alone, motor gasoline and diesel fuels accounted for 31% of total energy-related carbon pollution in 2023.