Eco-friendly vehicles making farms even greener

All the talk of electric cars and emission-free vehicles is fine for city dwellers, but spare a thought for farmers, who know what gas-guzzlers really are.

Depending on usage, tractors can average as little as 10 miles per gallon (over 23 l/100km), as power rather than fuel efficiency is the primary concern for agricultural users.

For heavy users, this means an expensive fuel bill and a lot of pollutants - but one company thinks it's got the answer.

Later this month, a fuel-cell tractor concept is set to go on show in the US city of Boone, Iowa, with its maker New Holland describing it as the "zero emission tractor of the future."

The hydrogen-powered electric tractor is emission free and - rather pleasantly - virtually silent to operate.

The tractor can produce 106 hp/142 kW, and runs on hydrogen stored in tanks, which New Holland believes makes it ideal for farmers.

"Farmers are in a unique position to benefit from hydrogen technology," said a statement from the firm.

"Unlike many people, they have the space to install alternative electricity generation systems, such as solar, wind, biomass or waste, and then store that power as hydrogen."

With more stringent emissions standard on the way for heavy industrial vehicles in both Europe and North America, New Holland could be on to something, although it's not the only group to spot a gap in the market.

In June, researchers working under the European Union's "RAMseS" renewable energy project unveiled a solar-powered tractor, capable of doing the work of a conventional 40 hp/54 kW tractor.

The researchers calculated that their vehicle would release 57.16 tonnes of carbon dioxide over a 30-year lifespan, compared to over 757 tonnes from a standard tractor.

The vehicle is now being tested at an olive farm in Lebanon - where there is enough sun to make solar farming a reality.

http://www.newholland.com

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

Apple admits it has a human rights problem

After years of complaints and workers' suicides in China the technology giant faces up to the human cost of its gadgets
Peter Moore: 'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'

Peter Moore interview

'I feel guilty I'm the only one alive'
Sellafield faces nuclear option as overspending threatens plant's future

Sellafield faces nuclear option

Overspending threatens plant's future
Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Israel blames Iran for embassy bomb attacks

Tehran rejects Netanyahu's 'lies' after diplomats in India and Georgia targeted
Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time

Tommy Cassidy interview

Former manager enjoying Apoel crack at the big time
James Lawton: Patience may not be a virtue this time, Roman – Andre Villas-Boas looks all at sea

James Lawton: AVB looks all at sea

Abramovich's visits to training reinforce the idea of a coach feeling pressure from above and below
The 10 Best sledges

The 10 Best sledges

Not all of them require snow...
Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Procrastination: Not now – I'm busy

Confronting the real reasons for puttting things off can help us beat it
Fun in the sunset years

Fun in the sunset years

A new movie follows retirees moving to India for low-cost care and a culture of respect for the elderly. For many Britons, it's already a reality
Picture preview: Lucian Freud drawings

Lucian Freud drawings

Picture preview
Silent revolution at the Baftas as the French take top awards

Silent revolution at the Baftas

The Artist wins in seven categories, with Meryl Streep the other big success story
Whitney Houston: The diva who had – and lost – it all

The diva who had – and lost – it all

Nick Hasted charts the highs and lows of Whitney Houston's life
How Picasso won over (some of) the British

How Picasso won over (some of) the British

Winston Churchill and Evelyn Waugh hated his work, but Picasso provided inspiration for a whole generation of UK artists
Topshop: A Decade Of Design

Topshop: A Decade Of Design

When London Fashion Week starts on Friday, Topshop will celebrate 10 years backing its brightest young stars
John Prescott: 'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

'My wife thought I'd just retire, but I'm not a slippers man'

At 73, John Prescott isn't mellowing. In fact he's taking a shot at becoming a police commissioner