I have a small farm and mostly do light work and transport within the village. Is an electric tractor worth buying for me?
2 Answers
For a small farm doing light, short range and predictable work, an electric tractor can be attractive because running cost per hour is low, maintenance is simpler (no engine oil, fewer moving parts), and it is quiet. The honest concerns to weigh are higher purchase price, battery range and charging time, whether you have reliable charging at your farm, battery replacement cost down the line, and a service and resale market that is still developing compared to diesel. If your daily work fits within the machine's range and you can charge easily, it may suit; for heavy ploughing, long hours or frequent heavy haulage, diesel is still the safer bet today. Try to test one on your own kind of work and ask the dealer about real range under load, charging needs, battery warranty and service support before deciding.
A friend uses one for light orchard and yard work and is happy with the low running cost, but he charges at home overnight. Charging access is the deciding factor.