Montra Electric Bats for Price Parity Between Diesel and Electric Tractors

Despite growing environmental concerns and the government's push towards sustainable agriculture, electric tractors face market disadvantages due to disparities in subsidy provisions. Murugappa Group-backed Montra Electric is seeking immediate government intervention to address this imbalance.

"Just one week back, I along with a small association called 'Electrical Tractor Manufacturing Association', met the Union Minister of Agriculture, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and we demanded the same subsidies for electric tractors that diesel tractors are presently enjoying, so that there is a level playing ground," Harish Prasad, CEO, Montra Electric Tractors, told ACKO Drive on the sidelines of the ninth edition of EIMA Agrimach India 2025 in New Delhi.

In the absence of uniform central subsidies for electric tractors in the country, two states have recognised the environmental and economic benefits of zero-emission farm equipment and are providing subsidies to electric tractor buyers.

"In terms of subsidies, two states have been front-runners. The states of Haryana and Maharashtra have declared good amount of subsidy for the farmers. Haryana is giving a subsidy of ₹5 lakh per tractor while Maharashtra is offering ₹1.5 lakh subsidy per tractor," Prasad explained.

Meanwhile, as electric tractors make inroads into Indian agriculture, Chennai-headquartered Montra Electric is making sure farmers don't get left behind. The clean mobility firm already has a regional training centre in Manesar, Haryana, and is now working to open similar facilities in Pune and Kolkata, a top company official said.

"We have opened our regional training centre at Manesar, where all the farmers, dealers, and mechanics who want to try these get the opportunity to know more. They can come and learn about the components, mechanicals, how to run them, how to get the best deals. We are soon opening one in Pune. It is already in the works," 

In a bid to connect farmers, dealers, mechanics, and anyone interested in transitioning to zero-emission farm equipment, Montra Electric offers comprehensive training programmes at these regional centres. The company intends to have one in all four zones of the country with the opening in east zone.

"Very, very soon after that, we will open one in Kolkata. We are going to have these centres in all four regions -- north, south, east and west. Chennai and Manesar are already operational now. Pune and Kolkata are going to be opened soon," Prasad explained.

Asked when to expect the inauguration of Montra Electric's two new regional training centres, Prasad said: "We can be expect them to open in either Q1 or Q2 next year."