Kubota is about to start field testing an autonomous hydrogen powered fuel cell tractor.
Unveiled at Expo 2025 in Osaka in Japan recently, the fuel cell on the concept vehicle is supplied with compressed hydrogen stored in two tanks below the bonnet.
Electricity generated by the fuel cell powers two electric motors: one for the wheels, the other the PTO. Also able to operate with remote control, in terms of dimensions of approx. 4.4m long x 2.3m high x 2.2m wide, the concept is similar to a standard tractor.
Kubota reckons that the two hydrogen tanks are sufficient to allow the tractor to work for half a day and that performance is on a par with a conventional 100hp tractor.
The company will no doubt be looking to verify this in field tests (in Japan), where the focus will also look at unmanned operation and refuelling methods. Kubota is also keen to find out if the fuel cell prototype can match the performance and reliability of a diesel-powered tractor.
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