New 160hp electric tractor claims up to 12 hours of work on one charge

French start-up company Seederal is in the final stages of development with its electric tractor, with first deliveries now set for 2028, the company has confirmed.

The manufacturer has said the tractor is designed for the realities of agricultural use, with the 160hp unit having a self-claimed working range of six to 12 hours. The company explained that the R&D has taken four years and more than 600 hours of testing, incorporating feedback from over 100 farmers.

Seederal says the tractor’s architecture, battery, energy management, traction system and cab were designed from the outset around electricity and agricultural applications. Based in the Normandy region in western France, the tractor has been fully developed in France.

The battery

Seederal noted that its battery has been specifically designed for agricultural applications requiring a long operating range. It says it has been designed to withstand long cycles and heavy-duty use, and offers a significantly longer lifespan than batteries designed for other applications. With a six- to 12-hour range, the fast-charging option takes two hours to recharge the battery in its entirety, while the standard charging takes eight to 10 hours.

Seederal says its traction control system delivers the smoothness of a CVT-type transmission, while retaining the simplicity, performance, responsiveness and efficiency of a mechanical transmission. It features a top speed of 50km/h. It says front axle preponderance is not fixed. It continuously adapts to grip conditions, load and the type of work being carried out.

As a result, four-wheel drive engagement and torque distribution are managed automatically for tractor efficiency.

Compatibility

The electric tractor is compatible with standard farm implements and uses the same equipment and interfaces as a conventional tractor, allowing it to work with existing machines.

This includes a standard rear linkage, a 540/1,000 rpm PTO, high hydraulic flow with up to five rear spool valves, pneumatic and hydraulic trailer braking, optional front linkage and an optional front PTO.

Seederal says that thanks to the electric powertrain, the PTO benefits from speed-independent control that is impossible to replicate with a diesel tractor. It notes that this results in smoother and more efficient use of powered implements.

It notes a dedicated mode allows the PTO to rotate slowly in reverse, making it possible to clear a blocked implement safely. The tractor is designed to work with a front loader.

In the cab

Seederal notes that the tractor includes advanced driver assistance and implement management systems designed to improve precision, efficiency and operational control.

Some of these features include driving assistance, manoeuvre automation, automatic headland turns, autonomous driving functions, energy and range management, range prediction, implement interface and automation IsoBus compatibility, GPS guidance and user management.

Further features include automatic section control, variable rate application, Tractor Implement Management (TIM), task monitoring and management, telemetry, job management, field management, operational management, implement management and task management.

First units

Seederal has said it is now beginning the commercial rollout of its tractor, with initial deliveries scheduled from 2028.

It notes that this new phase runs alongside continued testing under real farming conditions and preparations for type approval and series production. The cost of the tractor is still unknown, but two years ago, Seederal had indicated that the cost of the tractor was going to cost 30% to 50% more than conventional models on the market.