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AN INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC TRACTOR

Technical Report · April 2022

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29165.26087

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 ELECTRIC TRACTOR

Abdul Lateef Dar

MTech, PED Department,
SELECT, Vellore Institute Of Technology
Vellore, Tamilnadu.

ABSTRACT— A farmer always tries to make farming
easy and accomplish it in a way so that less amount of
money or labour is needed. The main cost due to which
Farming becomes expensive is the use of Tractors. Tractors
consume a lot amount of fuel which adds to the cost. But
tecnology has came to rescue and provided a solution. The
use of DC Batteries in place of Fuel proposed by Electrical
Engineering world has given Farmers a less expensive and
reliable machine known as Electric Tractor. Due to Electric
Tractor, Farming becomes easy and economical.
INTRODUCTION
With the deterioration of environments and increase
of energy depletion, developing agriculture with
environmental friendliness, resource conservation and
high efficiency is prospective and necessary. Some
special agricultural environments such as greenhouse and
courtyard agriculture, have more and more urgent needs
for agricultural machineries with zero emission, no
pollution and low noise. By using a tractor, tasks like
ploughing, tilling and planting etc. have been carried out
every day. These tractors cause a lot of pollution due to
emissions from diesel engines, which may directly affect
the crop. Tractors use petroleum based fuels mainly
diesel. Hence these tractor engines emit exhaust that
contains a combination of nitrogen oxide indicated by
NOx, unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide (CO). It is
a well-known fact that NOx is a major contributor to
the formation of acid rains. High concentration of NO2
to the atmosphere may cause respiratory illnesses like
bronchitis, asthma and other breathing problems. CO
having greater affinity for Hb than Oxygen reacts with
hemoglobin that reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of
the blood.
Compared with traditional tractors, pure electric tractors
have compact structure, large power density, strong overload
capacity, and high work efficiency. Electrification in auto
industry has been a global trend for more than 5 years now
and it was just a matter of time when it would trickle down to
off highway vehicles. Equipment manufacturers across the
globe are experimenting with various electrical equipment to
improve tractors and implements.
The agriculture industry believes there are a few barriers
that are preventing electrification of agriculture tractors. The
biggest problem lies in the specific energy of Li ion batteries
and the pulling power from electric motor as compared to
Diesel as a fuel. India being the biggest farm tractor market
accounting for almost 35-38% of global production is also
making progress on electric front. In 2017, Escorts Ltd
launched India`s first electric tractor concept. The product
was aimed to cater to 22 HP to 90 HP range and compliant
with tier 4 emission norms of Europe and America. US based
Solectrac has manufactured 10-12 units of eUtility models
based on two-wheel drive Farmtrac diesel tractor hardware
from Escorts. It already has the Solectrac e70N in
development which is a larger 70hp-equivalent model with
four-wheel drive.
India's first farm ready electric tractor was launched in 23
December 2020 (on Farmer's day). Sonalika took a major
step towards reforming the agro vehicle segment of India.
Sonalika on Wednesday 23 december 2020 launched India’s
first electric tractor, Tiger Electric, and this offering can
change the face of farming in India. Marking a new era of
Agri innovation, Sonalika, India’s fastest growing tractor
brand and the leading export brand across Europe, Americas,
Africa and over 130 countries, has launched India’s first
field-ready electric tractor called as the Tiger Electric.
As per Sonalika, the Tiger Electric tractor has been
designed in Europe and developed in-house with proven
aggregates to deliver seamless power as well as emission-
free, noiseless farming in India and across the globe.
COMPONENTS
1. ELECTRIC MOTOR
In Sonalikas Tiger Electric, the motor selected is a 11
kW, three- phase induction motor, the motor is rated to
be IP67 water and dust resistant, this will make sure
that electrical systems are not affected by the splashing
water while working in mud and flying dust while
working
Fig.1(a):- MOTOR
in dry field. The Sonalika Tiger Electric tractor is equipped
with an Etrac motor that is claimed to offer high power
density and high peak torque with zero RPM drop for
optimal performance.

XXX-X-XXXX-XXXX-X/XX/$XX.00 ©20XX IEEE

 Specifications of Etrac Motor of Tiger Electric Tractor and a battery backup of 8 hours while operating with a 2-
launched by Sonalika in December 2020. tonne trolley.
POWER 15 HP
SPEED 24.93 kmph
Number of Phases 3 phase
FREQUENCY 50 Hz
MATERIAL Cast iron

The electric motor’s torque and speed characteristic exposes

one of the most important differences in comparison to the
performance characteristic of combustion engine powered
tractors. Whereas the torque curve of the combustion engine
reaches a peak next to the maximum speed nmax, the electric
motor delivers its nominal torque Mn from standstill nₒ to
nominal speed nₙ. Another characteristic of the electric motor
that has a significant influence on the tractor’s pulling
performance, is its torque reserve. For a limited time it is
able to generate several times the nominal torque.
Fig.2:- BATTERY
Exchangeable Battery Packs
This concept bases on exchangeable battery packs for the
tractor when working in plantations for an extended period.
The tractor transports a trailer with a set of exchangeable
battery packs to the place of work (Fig. 2(a)). Whenever a
battery pack on the tractor is exhausted, it is replaced with a
fully charged one. Work continues until the last battery pack
is down to a margin, which ensures a return to the base. To
exploit this concept to a maximum, a second set of mobile
exchangeable battery pack is simultaneously charged at the
home base.

Fig.2(a) :- Charging batteries at the home base and

operating the tractor in the field using the on-board
battery pack. Operating time extension by battery-
swapping between trailer and tractor.
3. MOTOR CONTROLLER
Motor controller is the electronics package that
operates between the batteries and the motor to control
the electric vehicle‘s speed and acceleration much like a
carburetor does in a gasoline-powered vehicle. The
controller transforms the battery’s direct current into
alternating current and regulates the energy flow from
Fig.1(b):-Comparison of Torque-Speed Characteristics of the battery.
Combustion Engine and Electric Motor.
2. BATTERIES
A battery is a device consisting of one or more
electrochemical cells with external connections for
powering electrical devices.
In Tiger Electric, the motor is paired with an IP67-compliant
25.5kW natural-cooling compact battery that can be juiced
up to 100 per cent using a regular home charging point in 10
hours. Sonalika is also offering an optional fast-charging
system, which can charge Tiger Electric's battery in four
hours. The new Tiger Electric tractor is equipped with the Fig.3:- MOTOR CONTROLLER
Sonalika transmission. It offers a top speed of 24.93kmph
 4. BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
A Battery Management System is an electronic
system that manages a rechargeable battery (single cell
or battery pack) by monitoring its state, calculating
secondary data, reporting that data, protecting the battery,
controlling its environment, and/or balancing it.
Fig.4:- BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
5. MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKER
In case we have Hybrid Electric Vehicle using Battery
and Solar power both, then we have to install MPPT in it.
MPPT regulates the current generated by the solar
panels, if solar panels are working at maximum
efficiency then MPPT supplies current directly from Solar
panels to motor cutting of the supply from battery, if
solar panels are not at full efficiency then it charges the
battery and does not provide supply directly to the
motor. If the tractor is not working then it charges the
battery.
WORKING
Fig.5:- Driving system scheme of electric tractor
Electric tractor drive system is similar to the automobile
drive system, it is reasonable and reliable to use the mature
technology of the automobile driving system. Figure 5
shows the design of the Electric Tractor Drive system
program, mainly by the power battery, battery management
system, drive motor, motor control system, drive system,
such as driving wheel components. When electric tractors
work, by manipulating the accelerator pedal and brake pedal,
the driver sends the signal instruction to the whole vehicle
management system, the whole vehicle management system
adopts the control strategy, transmits the signal instruction to
the battery management system and the motor control
system, the drive motor transmits the power to the driving
wheel by the mechanical connection, realizes the electric
tractor coordinated control.
SPECIFIC FEATURES OF AGRICULTURAL
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
In recent years, a number of tractor manufacturers have
adapted their equipment to operate with electrical powerand
alternative fuels (AFs), such as biofuels, solar panels, and
hydrogen FCs. Therefore, the focus in this area will be on
electrical drives in the future. Factors such as the high cost of
battery production and the availability and convenience of
fossil fuels have placed limitations on the large-scale
utilization of EVs. Thus, to achieve technological and
sustainable development HEVs have been proposed as an
interim solution. The driveline of an HEV is usually divided
into two main architectures: series and parallel. The basic
architectures for a rear axle hybrid tractor are shown in Fig.
6.
(a) (b)
Parallel Hybrid Series Hybrid
Fig.6:- Basic architectures of a rear axle hybrid drive
tractor
B: Battery; C: Clutch; D: Differential; G: Generator; GB:
Gear Box; I: Inverter; ICE: Internal Combustion Engine;
M/G: Motor- Generator; T: Transmission
A series hybrid (Fig. 6-a) implies both a generator and
motor. Both are of a size to achieve full power, and this leads
to extra mass. However, mass reduction is not an important
objective for a tractor, and this could even be seen as an
advantage regarding the stability of the vehicle. The series
hybrid concept is applied more in high traction and heavy
applications, such as tractors, while the parallel hybrid
approach (Fig. 6-b) is widespread in the automotive industry.
In general, today’s tractors are four-wheel drive, and this can
be distinguished in the design of hybrid automobiles.
 PARAMETER DESIGN OF MAIN 3. Calculation of maximum torque of driving
PARTS OF DRIVING SYSTEM motor
1. Drive performance Calculation Torque satisfying formula of driving motor：
The driving equilibrium equation of the electric tractor is
defined as：
Fq = FT + Ff
= maximum driving power
Where,
Fq = Driving Force = Drive motor rated speed

FT = Traction Force 4. Design of Power battery pack

Ff = Rolling Resisitance Total energy of the power pack which is

theoretically consumed:
FT = Z.bₗ,hₖ.k
Wess = Pe.T (KWh)
In the formula, Z is the number of plowshare; bl
is single plough width, cm; hk is plough depth, Pe = Rated Power
cm; k is soil resistance, N/cm2. T = Working Time
Rated Driving Force of Electric Tractor is :
The total capacity of the battery pack is
Ftn = (1.1 ̴ 1.2) FT determined according to the theoretical total
energy consumed by the power pack ：
Ff = m g f
In the formula, m is whole vehicle use quality, g
is acceleration, take the value 9.8m/s2; f is rolling Ue = Rated operating voltage of Power Battery
resistance coefficient.
Cess = Total Capacity of Battery (Ah)
2. Power calculation of driving motor

The power of electric tractor in plough work WIRELESS CHARGING SYSTEM FOR
should meet: ELECTRIC TRACTORS BASED ON
MAGNETIC COUPLING RESONANT
As a green agricultural machinery, electric tractor
Where, will be widely promoted and applied. Wired
charging is prone to cause poor contact and
Vₗ is maximum speed of plough and ηq is the
leakage during plug charging process, which
traction efficiency of drive system.
brings potential safety hazard. Wireless charging
ηq= ηmc. ηm. ηδ. ηf can avoid above problems.

ηq =efficiency of drive motor and control Energy shortage and environmental pollution have
system become an important factor restricting sustainable
development of human society. The use of green
ηmc =efficiency of transmission system environmental protection energy will be a new
trend of the development of agricultural
ηδ =slip efficiency machinery in the future. As a new green
ηf =rolling efficiency agricultural machinery, electric tractors will be
widely popularized and applied, which not only
could solve the problem of exhaust emissions
effectively, but also alleviated the shortage of
fossil fuels in China. In recent years, some
problems were existed in traditional wired power
transfer mode, such as: wire occupies a large
space resource; overlapping wire will generate
much electromagnetic interference; electric spark
of wiring would cause severe damage;
specifications of charging line was inconsistency.
At the same time, charging of cable is affected by
the length of charging cable, and charging range
of electric tractor is limited, which seriously
affects the promotion and application of electric
tractor. Wireless power transfer technology
greatly has reduced the risk of electric shock and
friction, and improved the flexibility of charging
correspondingly, and its quality and volume have
also been reduced.
Wireless power transfer technology is based on
electromagnetic coupling principle and induction,
which using modern power electronic energy
conversion technology, magnetic field coupling
technology, high-power frequency conversion
technology (including resonance conversion
technology and electromagnetic compatibility
design technology, etc.). With the help of modern
control theory and methods, technology of non-
contact power transmission of electric energy
from stationary grid to mobile electrical
equipment was realized. At present, wireless
power transfer technology is mainly divided into
three types: electromagnetic radiation type,
electromagnetic induction type and
electromagnetic coupling resonance type.
Electromagnetic radiation type wireless energy
transmission technology uses the far magnetic
field for power transmission, and its transmission
distance is much larger than physical size of its
device, but directionality is poor, transmission
efficiency is low, and transmission power is
generally small. Transmission mechanism of
electromagnetic induction type wireless energy
transmission technology is similar to that of the
separation transformer, and the core part is
replaced by an air gap, which leads to cross-
linking of non-directional channel of magnetic
line and load side coil, so that only under the
premise of a short distance High-power and high-
efficiency wireless power transmission can be
realized. Electromagnetic coupling resonant
wireless energy transmission technology utilizes
the principle of electromagnetic resonance
coupling, so that it can still obtain larger
transmission power and bird transmission
efficiency when transmitting medium-distance
power, and it is hardly to be affected by space
non-magnetic obstacles during transmissions.
Performance of electromagnetically coupled
resonant wireless energy transmission technology
in terms of transmission distance, transmission
power and transmission efficiency makes it
particularly suitable for high-power wireless
charging.
Fig.7:- Schematic diagram of wireless power
transmission based on magnetically coupled resonant
Wireless power transmission based on magnetically
coupled resonant is shown in Fig.7, coupling coil can be
regarded as a resonant body consisting of inductance and
compensation capacitance. Coupled transmitting coil
oscillates received energy between electric field and
magnetic field at its resonant frequency in space, and
produces alternating electromagnetic fields nearby. Coupling
receiving coil will generate induced electromotive force,
which will also generate alternating electromagnetic fields
nearby, and oscillate freely in space with the same resonance
frequency. In this way, the two coils continue to transform
magnetic field and electric field energy at the same
frequency. Therefore, electric energy is transmitted from
transmitter coil to receiving coil through time varying
magnetic field by air.
Schematic diagram of electromagnetic coupling resonant
wireless power transfer system is shown in Fig.8. It includes
primary resonant circuit, secondary resonant circuit, rectifier
circuit and voltage stabilizing circuit. Primary resonant
circuit includes primary coil inductor L1, primary coil
resistor R1 and primary resonant compensation capacitor C1.
High-frequency AC voltage source us(t) supplies power to
primary resonant circuit, and secondary coil inductor L2,
secondary coil resistor R2, and secondary resonant
compensation capacitor C2 receive primary loop power
through resonant coupling and are formed by diodes D1 to
D4. Full-bridge rectifier circuit and voltage-stabilizing
capacitor C, providing DC voltage udc(t). M to load Rload is
mutual inductance of primary and secondary coils, i1(t) and
i2(t) are divided into primary circuit and secondary circuit
current, idc(t) is the DC terminal output current, ic(t) is
current on Zener capacitor C and iL(t) is current on DC load
Rload.
Fig.8 :- Schematic diagram of resonant wireless
power transfer system
Power received by Load:
It can be known from above equation that increasing
mutual inductance value can improve power transmission
capability of the system. Magnitude of mutual inductance
value depends on geometry, size, relative position, number of
turns, and magnetic permeability of the primary secondary
coil.
ADVANTAGES
1. ECO- FRIENDLY
These tractors are eco-friendly as compared to traditional
tractors. No one can say that the electricity you use comes
from the electric company, you can charge your tractor by a
solar system. It does not make noise while in use. There are
no extra expenses for fuel or maintenance. These tractors are
much more efficient as compared to the traditional tractor.
No smoke is another achievement of an electric tractor.
2. COST – EFFECTIVENESS
Cost reduction surely is done by the electric drive;
reduction of fossil fuel is the best example of that. Prices of
these tractors are almost the same as traditional tractors. Cost
reduction is an important benefit of electric tractors because
the high cost is a big problem for farmers. The electrical
tractor is reducing extra cost as compare to diesel tractors.
3. EFFICIENCY
These tractors are efficient; it gives great accuracy when
it works. The diesel tractor has 35% efficiency when it
converts thermal energy into mechanical energy. Compare
that with the efficiency of charging or discharging batteries
80%, while electric tractors are more efficient.
4. REPAIR ANDMAINTENANCE
When farmers have worked to do on the field, the most
important thing that a farmer is going to do is fixing your
tractor. Electric tractors have fewer moving parts, meaning
fewer things that go wrong. So repairing and maintenance
costs reduce and your tractor works for more periods.
CONCLUSION
Electricity is provided at very low cost and also free in
some states of India for Agricultural purposes. Hence the
operation cost of tractors for the farmers will be bare
minimum as all the states provide electricity at a subsidized
rate. There won't be any direct emissions unlike diesel
powered tractors due to which environmental damage and
carbon emission will be substantially reduced. Reduced
pollution will also result in better crop yield.
REFRENCES
[1]. YAN YINFA, WANG SHAOGANG, LIU
SHUANGXI, XU HAIGANG, LIU MOCHEN, LI
CHENG, MA JUNXIANG, AND SUN
JUNLIANG, “Design of wireless charging system
for 25horsepower electric tractors based on
magnetic coupling resonant”. POWERCON2018
Paper NO. 201804250000004, 978-1-5386-6461-
2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE.
[2]. XIAOFEI ZHANG, “Design Theory and
Performance Analysis of Electric Tractor Drive
System ”. International Journal of Engineering
Research & Technology (IJERT), ISSN: 2278-
0181 ,Vol. 6 Issue 10, October – 2017.
[3]. M. LUKIC, A. HEBALA1, P.
GIANGRANDE, C. KLUMPNER1, S. NUZZO,
G. CHEN, C. GERADA1, C. EASTWICK, M.
GALEA, “State of the Art of Electric Taxiing
Systems”, 978-1-5386-4192-7/18/$31.00 ©2018
IEEE.
[4]. CHARALAMPOS I. ARAPATSAKOS,
THEOFANIS A.GEMTOS, “Tractor engine and
gas emissions”. WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on
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10, Volume 4, October 2008.

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