Another electric tractor has entered the market, a 160hp option from the French company Seederal.
Following four years of research, the company’s ‘natively electric’ agricultural tractor was shown in new video footage filmed at the La Janais test site, near Rennes in France.
According to Seederal, the tractor’s “architecture, battery, energy management, traction system and cab were designed from the outset around electricity and agricultural applications.”
To test its technical choices in the field, Seederal first electrified an existing tractor platform, unveiled in late 2023. This demonstrator has accumulated more than 600 hours of testing and gathered feedback from over 100 farmers.
These trials and discussions directly led to the design of the Seederal tractor.
The battery has been designed by Seederal and made in France. It takes two hours to charge from 0% to 100% and offers a working time of 8 to 12 hours.
Seederal says the traction control system delivers the smoothness of a CVT-type transmission, while retaining the performance, simplicity, responsiveness and efficiency of a mechanical transmission.
The front axle adapts to the grip conditions, load and type of work, with four-wheel drive and torque distribution managed automatically.
The tractor runs at a low noise level of 66dBA, with the rear window open.
“We want farmers to be less dependent on diesel and have greater control over their energy. A farm that generates its own electricity should be able to put it to use across its operations,” says Arthur Rivoal, founder of Seederal.“An electric tractor can contribute by carrying out agricultural work and serving as an energy reserve available when the farm needs it. With this first product, that ambition becomes tangible,” he says.
The use of electricity to power the tractors gives farmers the opportunity to have greater control of their energy costs, Seederal says, and reduce exposure to fluctuations in agricultural diesel prices.
Seederal says electric operation is quieter, making work more comfortable for the driver and contributing to a more pleasant environment for others on the farm, as well as animals and neighbours.
Seederal works with French and European partners and suppliers to develop its technologies and prepare for series production of its tractor.
Seederal is now beginning the commercial rollout of its first tractor, with initial deliveries scheduled from 2028.
Image: Seederal
