The assumption is that the 30,000 litres of diesel needed for 35 days of seeding is roughly equivalent to 320 megawatt hours fuel – and they contend that an electric tractor couldn’t do this.
Because why? Well they say these numbers are impossibly big for an electric tractor to work.
But you need to start the calculation at the right point:
First of all, an efficient electric tractor only needs around 1/3 of that diesel – just 110 MWh over 35 days – if you eliminate the thermal inefficiencies of internal combustion engines.
An electric tractor, therefore, will need to consume around 3.1 MWh/day, and that can be met by around 1 ha of solar and about 2.5 MWh of batteries
An electric tractor is entirely operationally feasible on energy grounds. See: Autonomous electric tractors headed to Australia with pitch to farmers
In normal Australian solar conditions, about 1 ha of optimally sited PV at ~600 kW can generate around 3.5 MWh per day on average, and this is paired with roughly 2.5 MWh of batteries, that’s enough juice to spread that energy over 16‑hour operating days maintaining a practical duty cycle.
Fast DC charging allows packs to be recharged quickly, or you can work with modular 400–800 kWh battery packs that are swapped in and out, an approach already used routinely in several heavy vehicle sector uses globally.
Further efficiency gains from replacing central hydraulics with dedicated electric drives, plus smarter control of ancillary loads, reduce electricity needs further.
So even these conservative assumptions reveal the “impossible energy use, battery sizes and huge solar area to supply” claim collapses once realistic use-cases, efficiencies and on‑farm solar are considered.
John Deere unveils electric tractor at CES 2025
And why do it?
Leaving aside the oil crisis and oil security, the core driver is economics: diesel is expensive and the price volatile, while self‑generated electricity from farm solar plus batteries displaces diesel deliveries, diesel storage, and ongoing fuel bills, with the same solar‑battery system available to power all farm operations year‑round.
Farms need to be electric – because, once this kit is scaled appropriately, on-farm costs will be so much lower.
South Africa
Electric tractors in South Africa will be very useful, but relying only on Eskom makes them less practical right now.Why Electric Tractors Have Potential in SA Lower running costs — Electricity is generally cheaper than diesel over time, with much less maintenance (no oil changes, fuel filters, or AdBlue).
Better for certain tasks — Small and medium electric tractors (or utility vehicles) work well for lighter duties like orchard work, spraying, mowing, and transport on horticultural farms.
Environmental and comfort benefits — Zero emissions during use, quieter operation, and instant torque from electric motors.
Long-term trend — Models like the New Holland T4 Electric Power already exist, and smaller electric ATVs/utility vehicles are being tested. The market for electric tractors in South Africa is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
The Big Challenge: Eskom
Eskom's unreliable supply remains the main problem for full-sized electric tractors:Load shedding or load reduction can stop charging at critical times (especially during peak farming seasons like planting or harvesting).
Many farms are in rural areas where power supply is even less stable.
Charging a large tractor battery takes several hours of reliable electricity — something Eskom cannot always guarantee.
Farmers have pointed out that a battery lasting only 6–8 hours is often not enough for a full day's work.
This is why many South African farmers currently say the country is "not yet ready" for widespread adoption of large electric tractors.The Smart Way ForwardThe most successful approach right now is not depending fully on Eskom:Combine electric tractors with solar power + battery storage on the farm. South Africa has excellent sunshine, and many farms are already installing solar systems for irrigation pumps.
Use electric tractors for lighter, shorter tasks during the day when solar is generating power.
Keep some diesel tractors for heavy work or as backup during power problems.
Start small — many farmers are first testing electric ATVs or utility vehicles before moving to full tractors.
Electric tractors are not useless in South Africa — they can save money and reduce diesel dependence in the long run. However, depending only on Eskom makes them risky and frustrating for most farmers today.The winning combination for South African conditions is:
Electric tractor + on-farm solar + battery backup
This setup turns the weakness of Eskom into an opportunity for energy independence.Would you like me to explain the cost comparison (diesel vs electric + solar), suitable tasks for electric tractors, or current models available in South Africa? Just let me know!
