Electric Tractors Lead The New Development Of Agricultural Machinery
At the Hannover Agricultural Machinery Exhibition, pure electric tractors from China competed alongside traditional European and American brands, marking a new phase in the electrification process of the global electric tractor industry.
1. The market has entered a period of rapid growth
By 2025, the global electric tractor market had reached a size of 7.122 billion yuan, with the Chinese market accounting for 2.063 billion yuan. It is projected that by 2032, the global market will grow to 9.831 billion yuan, maintaining an average annual compound growth rate of 4.71%. This growth stems from energy policies worldwide aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and dependence on fossil fuels.
Chinese agricultural machinery enterprises have achieved rapid progress and innovation in the electrification sector, with several companies showcasing products such as pure electric smart tractors and autonomous plant protection platforms. Meanwhile, the performance of Chinese enterprises at the Hannover Agricultural Machinery Exhibition has been remarkable, with the number of participating companies increasing from just five in 2007 to 260 in 2025, making China the third-largest participating country at the exhibition.
2. Technological Innovation Paves New Pathways
In terms of technological approaches, the electric tractor sector exhibits a diversified exploration landscape. The Zhisheng Heheng's Zhihai E904i, launched by China, features a dual-motor design, with each motor delivering 90 horsepower for both drive and PTO, enabling independent optimization of both functions.
This forms a sharp contrast with the single motor + Vario continuously variable transmission solution adopted by Germany's Fendt.
The innovation of the powertrain system is the core breakthrough. The Zhike E904i has redesigned the transmission based on the underlying architecture of new energy, achieving stepless driving. The PTO output shaft is equipped with a two-speed transmission, enabling stepless speed adjustment.
In terms of battery technology, this model is equipped with a 105 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery from CATL, featuring a thermal management system that ensures stable operation in environments ranging from 20°C to 60°C.
Intelligent control has become another major advantage of electric tractors. Electrification significantly enhances system communication and automated control capabilities, while remote operation and optional AI-powered autonomous driving functions achieve operational precision down to the centimeter level.
This design not only reduces the operational threshold but also enhances work safety, whereas the intelligent transformation of traditional fuel-powered tractors faces more technical challenges.
3、 Reshaping the international competitive landscape
The competitive landscape of the global electric tractor market is undergoing profound changes. Traditional agricultural machinery manufacturing giants such as John Deere, Koleos, and AGCO GmbH still maintain strong competitiveness.
For example, the 130 horsepower electric tractor prototype exhibited by John Deere at the Hanover Agricultural Machinery Exhibition in 2025 has been field tested on cooperative farms in the United States.
The rise of Chinese enterprises is changing the global industrial landscape. Chinese companies such as Zhishen Hexing have successfully landed at top global exhibitions with their pure electric products.
Relying on China's global leading advantages in the new energy industry chain such as electric vehicles, power batteries, and intelligent control, these enterprises have opened up a new technological route.
However, industry experts objectively point out that China's agricultural machinery industry still faces challenges: domestic brands of large-scale agricultural machinery with 250 horsepower or more only have a market share of about 10%; Key components such as high-pressure common rail systems, wet clutches, and transmission controllers still heavily rely on imports.
4、 Policy support and development opportunities
The promotion policies of various governments towards the efficient use of automobiles have created a favorable environment for the development of the electric tractor industry. The relevant departments in China have made major technological breakthroughs in high-end agricultural machinery equipment a key task, promoting the deep integration of agricultural machinery with technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, and satellite navigation.
The Hubei Provincial Agricultural Development Center has included intelligent electric tractors in the province's key technology and equipment research guidance directory for agricultural mechanization (2024, 2028), indicating the government's support for this industry.
At the same time, Chinese agricultural machinery enterprises are accelerating their globalization layout, enhancing their international brand influence through overseas exhibitions, establishing research and development centers, and building localized sales networks.
5、 Future Development Trends and Challenges
The development prospects of the electric tractor industry are broad, but at the same time, it also faces many challenges. Industry analysis suggests that the electrification of agricultural machinery will not be a simple replacement of power, but rather a systematic change in vehicle architecture, control systems, and operating modes.
In this process, there is both the value of technological accumulation and the risk of path dependence.
In the future, electric tractors will become more intelligent and efficient. Intelligent electric tractors and series hybrid power operation platforms based on chassis domain controllers will become the focus of research and development.
With the upgrading of battery integration technology and the popularization of battery swapping modes, the endurance and ease of use of electric tractors will be further improved.
The Chinese construction machinery industry is undergoing a leap from "following" to "running in parallel" and then to "leading". With the continuous support of national policies and the continuous release of innovative vitality in enterprises, China's electric tractor industry is expected to occupy an important position in global market competition.
Our manufacturer has currently developed two types of electric tractors with horsepower of 50HP and 70HP, which have been sold to multiple countries for use. The product has been tested and put into use, receiving unanimous praise from users. Electric tractors can achieve unmanned driving function operation. A fully charged electric tractor automatically plows the land without manual operation. It travels precisely along the predetermined route, achieving zero emissions and low noise throughout the entire process.
Our R&D engineers say, 'Electrification is not only a change in electricity, but also a gateway to intelligent agricultural machinery.
