If farmers use electric machinery instead of conventional vehicles, diesel fuel can be replaced by renewable energy. This not only reduces CO₂ emissions, but also improves the health of animals and employees by reducing noise and pollutants. But what are the technical and economic limits to the electrification of agricultural machinery? What future benefits and potential do they offer for agricultural businesses? Can electric agricultural machinery be used to support the grid in the energy system? And what obstacles are slowing down their further spread?

The Landgewinn research project exchanged views on these questions with stakeholders from the field in an online discussion: Participants included farmers with experience in the use of electric agricultural machinery, representatives of agricultural machinery manufacturers, a contracting company, an energy supplier, administrative staff, researchers and an interest group.

The info sheet presents the perspectives of the various players on the electrification of agricultural machinery and shows that market-ready electric agricultural machinery is available primarily for farm-related work in the low power segment. There they can replace conventionally powered machines. However, the acquisition costs are around a third higher than a comparable diesel-powered machine – and there are still reservations about the practicality of electric agricultural machinery.

The info sheet provides recommendations on how electric agricultural machinery can be made more widely available and provides information on the technological availability for different areas of application as well as the needs and possible courses of action for key players. This information provides decision-makers in politics and practice with guidance and identifies obstacles and possible solutions to promote the spread of electric agricultural machinery.

Further information on the project