Will electric tractors gain traction with farmers? Researchers see possibilities
MICHAEL PHILLIS, MELINA WALLING and JOSHUA A. BICKEL
Associated Press
Updated
At an August event, researchers at Michigan State University asked farmers what they think of a new electric tractor. The market is so new they’re still trying to figure out if they’ve designed it well enough to excite growers of specialty crops like carrots, asparagus and blueberries.
EAST LANSING, Mich. — In an indoor horseback riding ring last month, several farmers got ready to test drive a new piece of equipment: an electric tractor.
Ajit Srivastava, an engineering professor at Michigan State University, talks about an electric tractor in development Aug. 19 during a demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Farmer Vicki Morrane, left, listens as Ajit Srivastava, right, explains the mechanics of an electric tractor Aug. 19 before she goes for a test drive in East Lansing, Mich.
At electric tractor pilot event for farmers, researchers see possibilities
MK Bashar drives an electric tractor Aug. 19, 2025, during a demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
MK Bashar, right, test drives an electric tractor Aug. 19, 2025, as Ben Phillips, left, watches during a demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
Ajit Srivastava, an engineering professor at Michigan State University, talks about an electric tractor in development, during an Aug. 19, 2025, demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
Farm implements, left, and a battery are attached to the underside of an electric tractor Aug. 19, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
Farmer Vicki Morrane, left, listens as Ajit Srivastava, right, explains the mechanics of an electric tractor before she goes for a test drive Aug. 19, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
Ben Phillips test drives an electric tractor Aug. 19, 2025, during a demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
Electronics for a self-driving system sit on an electric tractor Aug. 19, 2025, in East Lansing, Mich.
Joshua A. Bickel, Associated Press
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At an August event, researchers at Michigan State University asked farmers what they think of a new electric tractor. The market is so new the…
Ajit Srivastava, an engineering professor at Michigan State University, talks about an electric tractor in development Aug. 19 during a demonstration in East Lansing, Mich.
Farmer Vicki Morrane, left, listens as Ajit Srivastava, right, explains the mechanics of an electric tractor Aug. 19 before she goes for a test drive in East Lansing, Mich.
