Biomethane-electric hybrid tractor surfaces

Lithuanian-based AUGA Group, one of Europe’s leading vertically integrated organic food producers, has branched into the machinery space by creating its very own sustainable tractor which runs on biomethane and electric.

The company said it is committed to environmentally sustainable practices in every step of its food production process and the innovative machine is one of its latest solutions to further reducing its carbon footprint.

“Three years ago, when we first calculated our emissions, we saw that as much as 30 per cent came from the use of fossil fuels on farms,” said AUGA Group CEO, Kestutis Jušcius.

“There were simply no solutions to change it. That is why we have taken the lead in developing technologies that will allow us to create a new standard for sustainable agriculture and drastically reduce pollution throughout the food value chain. The first result of this work is a biomethane and electric tractor.”

According to Jušcius, the company decided upon biomethane as the alternative fuel as it is one of the greenest types of biofuel in the market.

“Methane, collected from livestock waste and converted to biomethane, offsets more emissions per unit of energy in its production and use cycle than it emits,” he said.

There are currently several challenges with alternative fuel tractors that are preventing mass take-up of such machinery, such as short run times and fuel availability, AUGA Group said. The company claims to have solved both these issues with its AUGA M1 tractor.

“Our team of engineers has found solutions to solve the problem of refuelling and ensure uninterrupted operation of the tractor throughout the working day,” Jušcius said.

“Currently, biomethane-powered tractors are able to operate for only two to four hours because the gas cylinders do not physically fit into the tractor structure. However, farmers need agricultural machinery that can work for 12 hours or more. AUGA group understands this perfectly and has created a solution.”

The AUGA M1 features a patented design that allows the tractor to accommodate larger biomethane gas cylinders. It also runs a hybrid biomethane-electric fuel system.

When the tractor is running, an internal combustion engine powered by biomethane generates energy and transmits it directly to the electric motors that spin the wheels.

When operating under normal conditions that do not require high power, the tractor stores the generated energy reserve in the batteries. But when more power is required, the tractor is able to extract the power as needed. These solutions allow the tractor to work for up to 12 hours, AUGA Group said.

Another obstacle impeding the take up of biomethane-powered tractors is the lack of refuelling infrastructure, AUGA Group said. To solve this issue, the company introduced quick and convenient gas cartridge replacement in the AUGA M1.

By developing the tractor, AUGA Group is not only aiming to use it within the business to reduce its own emissions, but to also offer the machine to the wider agriculture industry so other farmers and the world can benefit from its technology.  

It does not stop there, as the company is currently looking at developing other solutions to reduce carbon emissions from the soil and cattle’s digestive process.

“Our innovations will bring together a global community of responsible consumers, smart farmers and bold investors,” Jušcius said.

“It will ensure real change by creating an environmentally friendly food supply chain, and will allow to implement the vision of AUGA group – to become synonymous with sustainable food and lifestyle.”

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