Farming without fossil diesel? 

Some alternatives are already ready for the market - for example, fully electric tractors. Large tractors and harvesters, on the other hand, are still dependent on liquid fuels. But which ones? There are still many unanswered questions and a number of hurdles that need to be overcome. 

One for all?

When it comes to fuel, this question will not only be a phase-out model in agricultural technology. If the agricultural sector also wants to become independent of fossil diesel, other drive systems such as batteries or fuel cells will be needed in addition to alternative fuels such as HVO, e-fuels and the like. Consequently, these solutions must be adapted to the various requirements. The battery will find its home in small machines such as farm loaders or maintenance tractors. In contrast, large tractors and combine harvesters will continue to rely on reciprocating engines in the distant future. The only question is which liquid fuel will be used.

Expert panel discussion

Various options for driving agricultural machinery were discussed as part of a digital event. The event was moderated by Prof Dr Till Meinel, DLG Vice President and Professor of Construction and Agricultural Machinery Technology at the TH Cologne, and Prof Roger Stirnimann, Chairman of the Technical Committee ‘Vehicle Technology’, lecturer in agricultural engineering at the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL at the Bern University of Applied Sciences. In addition to representatives from research and industry, such as Dr Benno Pichlmaier, Director Global Technology (AGCO), and Dr Markus Schwaderlapp from DEUTZ AG, an agricultural entrepreneur from Thuringia took part and described his view of things, in some cases with completely new aspects. We have summarised the most important content for you below. 

New opportunities through alternative drives and fuels 

The most important opportunities include:

• Cost reduction through the production of our own fuels. Self-sufficient electricity production on the farm, methane production from the biogas plant or the production of HVO from the farm's own cultivated rapeseed results in independence from suppliers and eliminates the need for high purchasing costs. All of this requires the favourable production of alternative fuels, which currently still faces political and technical hurdles. However, independence from the fluctuating prices of fossil fuels is an economic advantage overall.
• Sustainability. The use of emission-free or CO2-neutral drives and fuels helps to achieve climate targets and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture.

The challenge of charging infrastructure

Farmer Lars Fliege, Managing Director of Agrargesellschaft Pfiffelbach mbH in Thuringia, is firmly convinced that small agricultural machinery can easily be electrified. However, it is not enough to simply switch to an electric fleet. The biggest challenge lies in the charging infrastructure, which must be comprehensive and well thought out. ‘It's not just about buying the machine, the entire infrastructure has to be harmonised on the farm,’ he explains. Particularly in areas where machines are used during the day, the charging processes must be efficient and independent of sunlight. ‘If I want to charge in the evening or during the lunch break, it has to be quick - during the straw harvest, when countless bales have to be stored, there is no time to wait long for a full battery.’ For such charging processes to work, not only are storage solutions necessary, but also extremely short charging times.

Use of rechargeable batteries

For larger tractors used for maintenance work, the farmer also sees potential for electrification - but only with interchangeable batteries. “A battery for twelve hours of operation is unrealistic, but five hours is often enough for this type of work. When spraying, for example, you always come back to the farm anyway, so the battery could easily be changed." The farmer is particularly excited about the prospect of methane, which could be produced by biogas plants on the farms themselves. “With the right support measures, that could be very interesting,” he explains. Nevertheless, he remains sceptical about electric drives when it comes to large machines such as combine harvesters, as electric machines cannot work for 15 hours at a time. He will continue to rely on combustion engines for a long time to come, “which will hopefully be fuelled with affordable e-fuels”, he adds.

How to increase acceptance of fuel alternatives?

Overall, he criticises the current debate on emissions as being too narrow-minded. “We are making a big mistake if we only measure CO2 emissions at the tailpipe”, he emphasises. “When it comes to CO2 emissions, we need to consider the entire life cycle of the machine, from production to recycling. If we did that, e-fuels and hydrogen would have a much better chance of being accepted.” The agricultural sector could play a decisive role in climate change, but this would require political support in the form of subsidies and tax breaks. This is the only way to make alternative fuels such as HVO and e-fuels truly climate-neutral and affordable. “With cheap electricity, we could produce e-fuels ourselves, but the costs have to come down and taxation has to fall.” The path to climate-friendly agriculture is clear, but progress must be made quickly - faster than has been the case to date.