Aug 4, 2021
Solectrac e70N Electric Tractor rolls into California vineyards, farms
Solectrac is now delivering its all-new e70N electric tractor, a specially designed, narrow model purpose-built for easy handling and maneuverability on vineyards and farm operations.
The Solectrac e70N (Narrow) electric tractor is a four-wheel drive, 70-horsepower vehicle designed for larger agricultural applications including farms, vineyards and orchards, according to a news release. The e70N opens a bold new market of opportunities for Solectrac. With up to eight hours of operation from a single charge and the ability to extend that time via swappable battery packs, the e70N allows operators to work more efficiently. The electric tractor sports a narrow 54-inch width, and Level 2 charging via 220 volts AC power (VAC) or a solar array. The e70N is now available for pre-order with a fully-refundable $1,000 deposit. Delivery expected in Spring 2022.
“The e70N is yet another innovative electric tractor breakthrough from Solectrac, this time focused on commercial-level, heavy-duty farm and vineyard operations,” Solectrac CEO Mani Iyer said in a news release. “This category of zero-emission electric tractors is in high demand as many farmers look to cut emissions and reduce noise pollution, but still require larger, more powerful vehicles with easy maneuverability. The e70N, with swappable battery pack technology, was designed to meet the needs of these customers.”
Solectrac manufactured and delivered e70N electric tractors to three local farms and vineyards in California on June 29-30, 2021, including The Mushroom Farm in Pescadero, Arroyo Lindo Vineyard in Windsor, and Old School Vineyard in Napa, according to a news release from the company. The delivery of these tractors was supported by a grant from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Funding Agriculture Replacement Measures for Emission Reductions Demonstration Program (FARMER) which provides incentives to reduce agriculture sector air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. The FARMER program provides up to 80% of the cost for farmers to replace diesel tractors with less polluting alternatives. The FARMER program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work.
“We were excited when we learned that the Bay Area Air Quality Management District was going to support a demonstration project for an electric tractor that could be used on commercial farms like ours,” said Michelle Riddle, vice president of Vineyard Management for Arroyo Lindo Vineyard and Old School Vineyards. “Solectrac’s electric tractors are appealing to us because they are quiet and diesel-free, so they reduce our local emissions. Part of being sustainable is creating a healthy and safe environment for the people who work here at the vineyard. An electric tractor with no exhaust and much less noise will help us do that.”
Solectrac, a subsidiary of Ideanomics, provides zero-emission electric tractor models for applications that span the spectrum of small hobby farms and special utility operations to larger-scale, commercial-level vineyards and farms. Customer deliveries are happening every month, with new orders expected to deliver in Spring 2022.
