AUGA Group is the largest vertically integrated organic food producer in Europe and they’ve recently presented the first hybrid biomethane and electric tractor in the world, intended for professional farming.
The AUGA M1 is the first green tractor that’s suitable for large scale farming.
The CEO of AUGA explains that the new tech with which AUGA M1 is made helps create a new food production model globally and lower the footprint of agriculture.
The First Eco-Friendly Tractor for Large Scale Farming
Choosing biomethane as an alternative fuel wasn’t accidental, but done because this is one of the greenest types of biofuels.
Biomethane is one of the greenest biofuels. 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.
According to the CEO of the company, their invention makes it possible to create a range of tractor applications and make them accessible to farmers who want to work sustainably.
They’re not developing tech just to solve their own emissions and fulfill their promise of going CO2-neutral by 2030, but also strive and make this tractor available to farmers worldwide and help with the global issue of agricultural pollution.
What Are the Advantages of the AUGA M1 Tractor?
The AUGA M1 hybrid tractor resolves two obstacles that have prevented biomethane-powered tractors to prevail.
First is the inefficient refueling process and underdeveloped refueling station infrastructure. The other was addressed by the quick and convenient gas cartridge replacement.
According to the CEO, their team of engineers found solutions to the refueling issue and make sure the tractor operates uninterrupted throughout the whole day.
Biomethane-powered tractors can work for only two to four hours since the gas cylinders don’t fit into the structure of the tractor. But farmers need a machine which can work for 12 or more hours.
This is something AUGA Group understands perfectly and created the solution. The Lithuanian company is also planning other sustainable solutions for the food chain.
Agriculture’s Contribution to Greenhouse Gasses
Scientists agree that agriculture is responsible for around a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions in the world. And, a major part of these emissions is caused by the usage of fossil fuels in agricultural machines.
When AUGA Group measured their emissions three years ago, they concluded that as much as 30 percent of them were from fossil fuels used on farms. And, there were no apparent solutions.
This is why they’ve taken the long road. They develop tech that allows them to pave the way for a new standard in agriculture and lower the pollution throughout the entire food chain.
The M1 tractor doesn’t need high power when it’s operating under normal conditions and it stores the generated energy in the batteries. Thanks to this system, there’s no energy waste in low-load conditions.
The tractor has a small, yet efficient motor and it can extract major power when necessary.
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