Home

Webasto powers electrical
conversion of tractors in
civil engineering sector

Full size electric tractors are still a rare breed, especially in the agricultural sector. The intense duty cycle of many tractor applications, limitations in access to charging infrastructure as well as high upfront investment will prevent many farmers from buying them. Market research reveals that only 5 percent of tractors sold globally in 2030, are expected to be operating fully battery electric. As always, there are certain niches where tractor electrification already makes sense today.

 

The emission free construction site, driven by governmental legislation and incentives, is such an exception and The Netherlands is leading the way in Europe. Dutch Develon (former Doosan) distributor Staad and its subsidiary ECE, already had electrification experience with the conversion of excavators. The company has now applied this experience to convert a Fendt 700 Vario into a fully electric tractor for Fendt distributor Agromec. It is no longer a Fendt model, the tractor is now called an Agromec 700 Vario. 

Capitalize on lessons learned

Just like with the excavators, this is an electrical conversion of a traditional combustion vehicle. That means that the diesel engine and fuel tank are taken out and replaced by an electrical motor and batteries. The original drivetrain, including gearbox, PTO shaft and hydraulics are untouched to ensure that the conversion remains cost-efficient and economically viable. Additional benefits are that the operating characteristics and serviceability remain similar to its diesel equivalent.

Versatile Powerpacks

The Powerbox 140 consists of 4 Webasto standard batteries with a total capacity of 140kWh. This 2000-kilogram Powerbox 140 is equipped with an internal water/glycol based thermal management system, based on Webasto components, that ensures that batteries are always within their optimal temperature operating range to ensure maximum performance and longevity. The system was developed by ECE in cooperation with Webasto and includes the super-efficient Webasto High Voltage Heater

 

With the engine removed, the Powerbox 140 also functions as a counterweight. Under the hood of the tractor, there are installed two additional Webasto standard battery packs, so that the tractor can operate autonomously as well. Thanks to this smart option, the tractor can drop an empty Powerbox 140 and pick up a fully charged one with its hydraulically powered front linkage. 

Agromec 700 Vario tractor powerpack

Certifications

With the electric tractor, ECE was confronted with new challenges, according to Thijs van Hal, R&D lead at ECE. “Tractors have a different type of regulation than excavators from a legal perspective. A tractor is legally a vehicle and not a construction machine and where electric trucks are not an option, you end up with tractors when supplying construction sites and on-site transport.” 

 

The Webasto components used for this conversion, batteries and thermal management, are certified for both on- and off-highway applications and meet the relevant electrical and functional ISO standard safety requirements. This reduces the testing and machine certification effort tremendously, resulting in a lower overall project risk and a quicker time to market. 

 

Several examples of the Agromec 700 Vario have already been built in the past two years and are used intensively on various emission-free construction projects. The machine can be acquired via Agromec and is in series production at ECE in The Netherlands. 

Other reference stories

  • Webasto powers electrical conversion of tractors in civil engineering sector

    Dutch Develon (former Doosan) distributor Staad and its subsidiary ECE already had electrification experience with the conversion of excavators. The company has now applied this experience to convert a Fendt 700 Vario into a fully electric tractor.
    Agromec 700 Vario tractor Agromec 700 Vario
  • LADOG and Webasto get electric mobility moving

    Whether street cleaning, winter road clearance or maintaining public green spaces – some municipal tasks are best handled by specially designed narrow track and compact vehicles.
    Ladog header Webasto reference stories - Ladog
  • Cleverly conceived colossus: Fully electrified 90-ton drilling rig

    Dutch manufacturer Dieseko, in collaboration with Webasto and partner Danfoss Editron, venture into electrification of a giant Woltman drilling rig.
    Header Dieseko Woltmann Webasto reference stories - Dieseko Woltman
  • Truck with pantograph from RWTH Aachen University

    With batteries and components from Webasto, the Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) chair at RWTH Aachen University is developing electrified trucks with pantographs for a sustainable reduction in CO2 emissions on roads worldwide.
    RWTH Aachen Truck with Pantograph and Webasto Components Webasto reference stories - RWTH Aachen Truck Pantograph
  • Successful electrification of Doosan excavators

    With the help of Webasto batteries and associated thermal management, the company is converting Doosan excavators, making them emission-free on site.
    Electrified excavator with Webasto batteries Webasto Reference stories - Doosan excavators
  • Lohr relies on battery systems from Webasto

    The all-electric Cristal modular shuttle system from French manufacturer Lohr is powered by batteries from Webasto.
    Cristal, the all-electric modular shuttle system with Webasto Battery Management Webasto Lohr Cooperation Battery System
  • Electric city bus e-Kent C

    Turkey's leading bus manufacturer Otokar has taken another step towards a zero-emission future with its twelve-meter passenger bus.
    Otokar bus header Webasto reference stories - Otokar e-Kent C city bus
  • Electrification of municipal vehicles

    Green-G, a manufacturer of electric vehicles and systems, aims to reduce pollution in urban areas with its zero-emission ecarry.
    The eCarry from Green G in the City Webasto reference stories - Green G eCarry
  • Electric climber in steep terrain

    With e-power from Webasto through the American desert: The Jeep Magneto is a concept vehicle from Stellantis/FCA and Webasto is on board.
    emission-free vehicle Jeep Magneto in the desert Webasto reference stories - Jeep Magneto
  • Emission-free airports with Goldhofer

    Goldhofer, a manufacturer of vehicles for heavy-duty and special-transport purposes, is electrifying its products in the field of ground support equipment.
    bison e header Webasto reference stories - Goldhofer