does john deere make an electric tractor

John Deere is a world-class brand known for producing high-quality agriculture equipment. They are known for their tractors, harvesting equipment, and other agricultural products. Lately, there has been a growing concern for the environment, and people are making efforts to shift to renewable sources of energy. As a result, there have been calls for John Deere to produce electric tractors.

The Need for Electric Tractors

Fossil fuels have been the primary source of energy used in the agriculture industry for years. However, the industry is now quickly shifting to renewable sources of energy, especially electricity. An electric tractor can eliminate emissions and hazards that come with using fossil fuels. It will also save farmers a lot of money in fuel costs in the long run. Additionally, electric tractors are less noisy, making them ideal for use in residential and urban areas.

John Deere and Electric Tractors

As of 2021, John Deere does not manufacture electric tractors, but this does not mean that the company is not exploring the idea. The company has already produced an autonomous electric tractor, but it is only used in its European facilities. It is designed to move around hay bales but does not have a driver's cab. In 2018, John Deere showcased a fully electric concept tractor at the Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover, Germany. The tractor had a range of up to four hours and could fully charge in just 3 hours. However, the company was yet to announce any plans to produce and sell the tractor.

Challenges in Producing Electric Tractors

Producing electric tractors is not easy, especially for companies that have been in the business of producing diesel and gas-powered engines for decades. The main challenge is the high cost of the batteries needed to power an electric tractor. Batteries account for up to 50% of the total cost of an electric vehicle. Another challenge is the limited range of electric tractors. Most electric tractors have a range of fewer than 100 miles on a single charge. This range is not sufficient for a full day's work on a farm. Additionally, electric tractors' charging time is quite long, taking up to 8 hours to fully charge the battery.

Conclusion

John Deere is yet to produce and sell an electric tractor, but the company has shown interest in exploring the idea. Producing electric tractors presents a significant opportunity for John Deere to stay ahead of the game in the agriculture industry. Electric tractors are more environmentally friendly, save money in fuel costs, and have fewer emissions. However, the high cost of batteries and the limited range present significant challenges in producing an electric tractor that meets farmers' needs.