Farmers everywhere are forced to absorb massive operating costs for their diesel tractor equipment. In 2017 the total cost expenditures toward diesel fuel in the U.S. reached $7.6B and were growing at 2.7% annually. As the government has placed pollution-restricting regulations on these diesel tractors, farmers at our demos have told us that they are put in a difficult situation as these pollutant controls cause excessive downtime for maintenance and require farmers to take on these extra costs.

Beyond the economic costs stemming from diesel use, the cost levied on both human and environmental health is also untenable. Between the emissions resulting from diesel engines — contributing to the Agricultural sector’s 6 billion metric tons of annual greenhouse gas emissions — as well as the common hearing loss and respiratory illness suffered by many farmers, the industry is in dire need to transition to a cleaner solution.

Our line of all-electric agriculture and utility tractors (ranging from 25 to 70 HP) are designed to replace diesel tractors. Solectrac’s electric tractors can be charged with renewable energy or from any 220v outlet.

This innovation will allow farms to reduce their carbon footprint, and in the process diminish the harm to soil and human health resulting from standard diesel operations. Our technology offers the opportunity to advance quiet, clean, efficient farming — and transition to truly regenerative agriculture.

The Farmtrac compact electric tractor by Escorts (above) is a versatile all-wheel-drive utility tractor, perfect for light-duty work like mowing, tilling, and hauling. It is equivalent to a 25-30 HP diesel tractor.

The 40 HP diesel-equivalent eUtility (above) is the ideal tractor for vineyards, equestrian centers, livestock operations, and any other utility type work.

The 30 HP diesel-equivalent eFarmer (above) provides unparalleled visibility and maneuverability for the next generation of row-crop farming.

The market for agricultural tractors is $12 Billion in North America, with the largest share made up of tractors 40 HP-and-under. The global market for agricultural tractors is $75 Billion annually. 

Solectrac has three electric tractor models in the 40 HP-and-under size category. We also have a 70 HP-equivalent model in development, which opens up an even larger market for Solectrac.

Across every energy-intensive industry there have been major pushes toward green alternatives, and there’s no reason to think the agricultural sector will be different. Our electric tractors offer significant savings in reduced downtime, maintenance, and fuel costs. Charging from renewable energy will allow farmers to become independent from the volatility of the fossil fuel market.

Solectrac holds a patent on its battery exchange system that was developed by Founder/CEO Steve Heckeroth in 2010. With this proprietary technology acting as a foundation, we were able to design our tractors to eliminate the issue of limited run-time: As batteries are depleted they can be replenished with fresh packs using the tractor’s hitches.

Between  2014-2016 we received grants totaling $730K, which allowed us to dig in and develop our first line of commercially viable Solectrac electric tractors. Our Solectrac eUtility is being used by early-adopter customers in active farming operations in the U.S., Canada, and Norway.

Today we’re working on building our products as kits to assist in quick assembly. This will cut down on costs including those associated with building large manufacturing infrastructure and allows our tractors to be delivered anywhere in the world regardless of access to electric or petrol infrastructure. These kits will also have applications for disaster relief as mobile energy sources. We are changing the face of the industry by introducing our decentralized/modular manufacturing process.

Using our state-of-the-art advances in the space, we design and sell electric tractors. We plan to offer four models, each of which builds on the last as far as technology, size, and versatility and generates cash flow for the release of the next generation.

In addition to the two models already available (the Solectrac eUtility and the Farmtrac CET), we are in the development stage with our Solectrac eFarmer,  a 30 HP unit specifically designed for row-crop cultivation, and our Solectrac e70N, a 70 HP tractor specifically designed for larger agricultural operations. All four models are poised to make major strides in the market.

video

To improve our cash flow, we use a reservation model. Each purchase requires a 50% deposit and the remainder is paid upon delivery. Customers are familiar with buying/reserving a spot in the production line from other manufacturers in the electric vehicle space. It allows them to plan for the expenditure and put optional renewable charging infrastructure in place. 

To date this has been our primary revenue source, and it is supplemented by the sale of exchangeable battery packs and front loaders.  The exchangeable battery packs are going to our farmers for their tractors, and also to customers with solar arrays for back-up energy storage. Solectrac is currently offering the lowest-cost energy storage option on the market.

Solectrac’s patents in the electric tractor space have allowed us to emerge as a unique company in the market, outpacing competitors in the development of zero-emission under-40 HP tractors and being recognized as a key innovator in the industry.

Our lithium iron phosphate batteries are non-combustible. We believe there is nothing that comes close to the innovations incorporated in Solectrac electric tractors. When it comes to growing food, we believe there is nothing that comes close to the innovation incorporated in the Solectrac eFarmer. 

From fuel costs to maintenance to emissions to noise, electric tractors are better.

We also distinguish ourselves with our focus on regenerative agriculture and our support of municipalities and businesses in the transition to electric power for landscape maintenance, towing, and other tasks formerly requiring diesel.

Our strategy for the future relies on our release schedule, which is designed specifically to provide us with the resources and brand capital to build our next generation tractor to meet the needs of diverse applications. 

Our Founder and CEO Stephen Heckeroth has been building electric tractors for more than 20 years. His innovations have led to Solectrac’s unique intellectual property, including key patents in electric tractor technology.

With all of this experience with electric tractors, Solectrac is ready to bring this work to market with the help of a diverse management and advisory team with knowledge ranging from renewable energy to business management.

Join the revolution with an investment in Solectrac.

As a Certified B Corp we hold our mission of social responsibility and environmental health to be a top priority. The green new economy is here, and in every sector it is only a question of which innovators will lead the way. Thanks to our top-flight technological advancements and our amazing team, we are leading the charge. Join us!

With its patented three hitches, the eFarmer can accomplish three tasks in one pass.