The Missing Link in India’s EV Revolution: Tractors

When we talk about electric mobility in India, the conversation almost always circles back to scooters in city traffic or cars in city showrooms. But out in the fields, where the real backbone of India’s economy lies, the machines that matter most aren’t cars or bikes, they are tractors. Every crop we eat owes something to these growling diesel workhorses. And yet, while EVs are gaining traction everywhere else, the tractor industry seems to be stuck in neutral.

That’s puzzling, considering India isn’t just any tractor market, it is in fact the world’s biggest, and yet, in  the fiscal year 2023-24, out of a record 1.66 million total EVs sold, only four were classified as agricultural tractors. In fact, if you look at VAHAN’s data for FY 2024-25, not a single electric tractor was registered. So, have they really not arrived, or are they just being overlooked?

The truth is, they do exist. Startups and a handful of manufacturers are already building electric tractors, some even in the market, others running small pilots. “We get hundreds of inquiries every day,” says Nikunj Korat, founder of Shree Marut E-Agrotech. “People are curious. But curiosity isn’t enough, what’s missing is a proper push from the government to turn that into sales.”

And that’s really where the roadblocks begin. Subsidies exist on paper - like Haryana offers 50% of the cost (up to ₹5 lakh), but industry data shows not a single electric tractor has availed these schemes. Why? Because most EV tractors cost more than what the subsidy covers. At the same time, diesel tractors, especially under 28 HP, still get direct agricultural subsidies. Add to that the confusion of two ministries - EVs falling under Heavy Industries, while agriculture is handled by a completely different arm of the government. Somewhere in between, electric tractors fall through the cracks.

Korat explains it bluntly, “Policies for both agriculture and EVs are not designed for us. Banks don’t give loans to farmers who want to buy electric tractors. Even funding for manufacturers is blocked, we’re told to join associations, but the Tractor and Mechanization Association doesn’t even acknowledge electric tractors.” Meanwhile, the government has been buying EVs for buses and fleets in other sectors, but nothing similar for agriculture. Korat argues that they could at least start with municipal tractors, a small but important way to build confidence.

Technology isn’t the easiest to deal with either. Tractors aren’t scooters you take to the office, they’re machines that run for long and punishing hours in rough terrain. EV tractors run on heavy duty batteries and high voltage systems (sometimes up to 600 volts), which makes them expensive to build and harder to repair in small villages. Cooling systems, connectors, and even battery packs are mostly imported. Farmers also miss the familiar roar of diesel, some even over-revved early electric models because they “didn’t feel powerful,” draining batteries faster.

But the gap isn’t just about cost or culture. “A lot of R&D is happening,” says Aravind Harikumar, researcher at the International Council on Clean Transportation. “There’s active debate on whether the future lies in battery-powered tractors or wired solutions. And companies like AutoNXT are already building 45 HP electric tractors that can actually compete with mainstream diesel models.”

Charging, too, is both a hurdle and an opportunity. Rural India doesn’t have fast-charging networks like cities, but trials show tractors can charge overnight from a 30A single-phase line, and much faster with a three-phase connection. In fact, one hidden advantage of electric tractors is their batteries: a 40 kWh battery could double up as backup power for a home during an outage, especially if paired with solar. It’s a vision that could change rural households, but for now, it’s more of an idea than reality.

Both Nikunj and Aravind flag certification as a hidden hurdle. For electric tractors to go to market, they need AIS-168 certification, a safety standard laid out by MoRTH for hybrid (A6) and pure-electric (A7) tractors. But the process is cumbersome. It requires deep testing for high-voltage safety, battery systems, EMC, and more tests - often tailored for cars or buses rather than rural farm use. Unfamiliar protocols, sparse testing infrastructure, and delays at agencies like ARAI or ICAT leave EV tractor makers stuck in limbo. The requirement to constantly resubmit for even minor tweaks makes navigation onerous for startups already juggling thin budgets and rapid iteration.

Awareness, however, is growing. Farmers across India are watching YouTube reviews and seeing EV tractors clock millions of views. The interest is real, but so are the doubts: Will this machine last ten years? Who will repair it if it breaks down? Can I get spare parts in my village? Until those answers are clear, many prefer to wait.

And yet, not all customers are farmers. Some of the first real users of EV tractors are airports and industrial hubs, where short, repetitive hauling is perfect for electric machines. These controlled environments give manufacturers a chance to refine their products before facing the unpredictable realities of the farm.

For Harikumar, the case for electric tractors goes beyond economics. “This is also about health. Diesel tractors cause hearing impairment. Most drivers lose hearing in their right ear from years of exhaust exposure. Then there are also cardiovascular and orthopedic issues from constant vibrations. Electric tractors eliminate all of that.” He adds that India’s EV story has been inclusive, first two-wheelers took the lead because of their appeal to the masses, and now tractors are likely next in line, especially as their benefits become visible to the rural majority. 

Looking ahead, Harikumar points to an even bigger shift. “Once AI enters agriculture, we’ll see precision farming take off - autonomous tractors, driverless operations, and most of those will be electric. That’s where the industry is headed.”

So, has the Indian tractor industry entered the EV spectrum? The answer is ‘partly’. The machines are here. The pilots are running. Farmers are watching. But between patchy policies, lack of financing, expensive tech, and unanswered questions, EV tractors are still more of a promise than a presence.

The stakes, however, couldn’t be higher. Tractors consume a massive share of India’s diesel, and agriculture is central to the country’s climate goals. Clean tractors aren’t just about reducing emissions, they’re about healthier farmers, stronger rural livelihoods, and a future where technology serves both productivity and sustainability. The quiet hum of an electric tractor may not yet echo across India’s fields, but it’s no longer a faroff dream.