Why was the launch of Escorts Kubota electric tractor halted?

Escorts Kubota Seeks Subsidy for Electric Tractors 

Escorts Kubota Ltd is holding back the full commercial launch of its upcoming electric tractor in India while it waits for government subsidy support. The company believes such support is needed to make electric tractors more viable for the Indian market.

The company has almost completed the development of its new electric tractor. However, its wider market launch will depend on government support for electric tractors. Jayagopal S., General Manager and Head of EV Systems Engineering at Escorts Kubota, shared this update while speaking at the India Clean Transportation Summit in Delhi on Wednesday. Jayagopal S. said the tractor's development is almost complete, but the company is waiting for some form of government subsidy or support before taking it to the wider market.

Escorts Kubota Develops 35 HP Electric Tractor

Escorts Kubota was formed through a partnership between the Escorts Group and Japan's Kubota Corp. The company already sells a 25 HP electric tractor in the United States for hobby farmers.

The company has also developed a 35 HP electric tractor as its next model. According to Jayagopal, the new tractor has a larger battery and was developed using feedback from early customers. Both electric tractor models can be charged through a standard three-phase home connection. This means buyers do not need separate charging infrastructure.

Electric Tractor Price Remains a Major Challenge

The high upfront cost of electric tractors remains a major hurdle for wider adoption.

Jayagopal said a 35 HP diesel tractor costs around ₹5 lakh, or about $6,000. A similar electric tractor costs around ₹12.5 lakh, or $15,000. This makes the electric tractor about 2.5 times more expensive than its diesel counterpart.

According to Jayagopal, farmers who use an electric tractor for at least eight hours a day can achieve a return on investment similar to that of a diesel tractor. He also said that after crossing the three-year break-even period, profits from an electric tractor can be roughly twice those of a diesel tractor.

Escorts Kubota Plans to Use Its Existing Dealer Network

Escorts Kubota does not expect to need a separate dealer network for its electric tractors. The company's existing dealers can sell the electric models. However, after-sales staff will need additional training to handle repairs related to electric vehicles. Jayagopal said the electric and diesel tractor ecosystems are largely similar, apart from the charging system. 

The company is also adding telematics technology to its electric tractors. This technology allows engineers in India to remotely identify faults and update software, including on electric tractors operating in the United States.

Battery Swapping Not Practical for Tractors

Battery swapping was also discussed as a way to reduce charging time. However, Jayagopal said it may not be suitable for tractors because electric tractor batteries are heavy. A typical electric tractor battery pack weighs around 250 kg, making it difficult and unsafe to remove and replace in the field.

He added that most tractors operate for less than 10 hours a day, giving farmers enough time to charge the tractor overnight. Where higher-capacity DC charging is available, a fast charger can charge the battery from empty to full in around one hour, according to Jayagopal.

Escorts Kubota Seeks Government Support for Electric Tractors

Escorts Kubota has asked the government to introduce a dedicated subsidy scheme for electric tractors, similar to the support available for electric trucks and buses.

The company has also suggested lower lending rates and additional incentives for electric tractors, especially when the tractor is registered in a woman's name. According to the company, these measures could reduce the price gap between electric and diesel tractors and make electric tractors more viable for Indian farmers.